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small black flax nz

If you're searching for the ideal small black flax NZ gardeners love, you're in the right place. Small black flax varieties add sleek, architectural appeal to New Zealand landscapes, offering striking foliage and easy-care growth. Whether you’re designing a modern garden, wanting a low-maintenance option for pots, or seeking unique contrast for borders, small black flax NZ types provide versatile solutions for all situations. With their compact size and deep-colored leaves, they bring sophistication and natural style to spaces big and small.

Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental flax is perfect for adding colour contrast and texture to modern and traditional gardens. Its tidy, clump forming habit makes it suitable for smaller spaces, borders, and pots.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$8.50
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$7.50
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$8.50
Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
phormium-pepe-
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...

From$19.95
echeveria-dark-prince-1
Echeveria 'Dark Prince'

Echeveria 'Dark Prince' is a stunning succulent admired for its compact rosettes of deep burgundy to near black leaves. The dramatic colour creates...

From$14.95
Dianella 'Blaze' plants featuring stunning bronze-green foliage in a garden.
Dianella 'Blaze'

Dianella 'Blaze' is a striking flax lily grown for its colourful, strap like foliage that develops rich shades of green, bronze, and fiery red...

From$16.49
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Black Polythene - 1 m Wide

Black Polythene - 1 m Wide is a practical plastic sheeting option for garden, nursery, and landscaping applications. The black finish helps block...

From$138.40
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Heuchera 'Black Taffeta'

Heuchera 'Black Taffeta' is a dramatic perennial prized for its deeply cut, almost black foliage that provides exceptional contrast and year round...

From$22.01
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Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' (ZZ ZZ Plant)

Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.
Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

From$16.49
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Black' lush foliage.
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Black'

Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Black' is a dramatic perennial renowned for its intensely dark foliage that provides exceptional contrast and year round...

From$20.63
Large Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) plants growing in clumps beside a path.
Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as Black Bamboo, is one of the more elegant and interesting bamboo varieties. It features erect, black stems that...

From$387.55
Ribes 'Black Magnus' black currant shrub with lustrous black berries.
Ribes 'Black Magnus'

Ribes 'Black Magnus' is a vigorous and productive black currant variety prized in NZ gardens for its rich flavoured berries and strong cropping...

From$30.29
Sansevieria 'Black Coral' plants growing in pots.
Sansevieria 'Black Coral'

Sansevieria 'Black Coral' is a striking evergreen houseplant valued for its tall, upright leaves and dark green colouring with distinctive lighter...

From$32.95
osmanthus-heterophyllus-
Osmanthus heterophyllus

Osmanthus heterophyllus, commonly known as False Holly, is an evergreen shrub grown for its attractive foliage and pretty flowers. It produces spiny...

From$37.19
fuscospora-solandri-
Fuscospora solandri

Fuscospora solandri (Black Beech) is a distinctive New Zealand native evergreen tree valued for its fine foliage, dense canopy, and strong natural...

From$270.40
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
Rhododendron 'Black Magic' stunning, dark red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Rhododendron 'Black Magic'

Rhododendron 'Black Magic' is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its rich, dramatic flowers and glossy dark green foliage. During spring, the...

From$28.91
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Camellia 'Black Lace'

Camellia 'Black Lace' is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its deep velvety red blooms set against glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

From$239.95
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10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.76
Photinia Black Jack dark red foliage.
Photinia 'Black Jack'

Photinia 'Black Jack' is a distinctive evergreen shrub valued for its deep red to burgundy new growth, glossy green mature foliage, and dense...

From$18.95
Black Doris' plums.
Plum 'Black Doris'

The 'Black Doris' Plum is a popular variety that produces large and firm, purple-black fruit. The flesh is dark red, sweet, and juicy. White blossoms...

From$340.69
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

From$309.51
camellia-japonica-black-tie-
Camellia 'Black Tie'

Camellia 'Black Tie' is a sophisticated evergreen shrub admired for its large formal deep red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

From$28.95
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2m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades. Available...

From$254.60
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$20.63
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

From$28.91
Phormium 'Surfer'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dianella, Echeveria, and Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes, and Succulents.

Search small black flax nz

Why Choose Small Black Flax NZ Varieties?

Small black flax NZ cultivars are prized for their dramatic, dark foliage and manageable stature. Unlike larger flax plants, these compact varieties fit perfectly in urban spaces, rock gardens, balcony containers, or as striking edging along pathways. Their rich, black to bronze tones create a bold backdrop for lighter flowering plants and grasses, and they’re hardy enough for NZ’s coastal, urban, and rural settings. Small black flax NZ selections are also well-known for their drought tolerance, low maintenance needs, and resistance to pests—making them a favourite among busy gardeners.

Popular Small Black Flax NZ Cultivars

One standout is Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)—a true dwarf flax with shiny, purple-black leaves that mature to nearly black. This NZ native is perfect for patios, mixed borders, or coastal gardens, and its compact habit keeps things tidy without sacrificing dramatic flair.

For those after a bronzy-black look, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' offers upright, slender leaves with a dark hue. It’s particularly well-suited to contemporary garden designs and pairs beautifully with silvers and greens for bold contrast.

Another excellent option, Phormium 'Black Magic', features lush, deep burgundy-black foliage and a neat growth habit, ideal for mass planting or container displays. If you’re interested in adding a slight bronze tone, Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' provides slender, bronze-black leaves with a graceful weeping form. Both 'Surfer Bronze' and the classic Phormium 'Surfer' bring refined accents to small gardens and mixed planters.

Growing and Using Small Black Flax NZ

Small black flax NZ varieties thrive in full sun to partial shade and adapt well to a range of soils, from coastal sands to gravelled beds and traditional garden loam. Plant them in well-drained sites for best leaf colour and vitality. Once established, most require minimal watering and little fertiliser, making them a sustainable choice for eco-friendly landscapes.

In the garden, use these dwarf flax plants as low hedges, border accents, or mixed into native plant collections. Their architectural silhouette is ideal for complementing succulents, grasses, and flowering natives. They also work beautifully in patio pots and designer containers, bringing year-round colour without overtaking the space.

Interested in more small black flax NZ options? Explore our collection: Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax), Phormium 'Jack Spratt', Phormium 'Black Magic', Phormium 'Surfer Bronze', and Phormium 'Surfer'. Discover the perfect flax for your NZ garden and enjoy stunning colour, texture, and lasting garden design.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Corokia 'Geenty's Green' and Heuchera 'Peppermint Spice', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Metrosideros 'Mistral', Tilia cordata, and Hemerocallis 'Moon Goddess'?
–The Plant Company

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