types of flax
Flax is a versatile and iconic plant in New Zealand gardens, prized for its graceful, architectural foliage and resilience in a variety of conditions. When gardeners search for types of flax, they’re usually thinking of native Phormium species—commonly Known as New Zealand flax—which offer an amazing palette of colours, sizes, and uses in the landscape. Whether you're after a dramatic statement plant or a hardy groundcover, there’s a type of flax perfect for your needs.
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 foliage in summer to bear twisted-looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn, and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies. Harakeke grows as a clump to about 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is a popular landscape option that is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. Mass planting on a bank not only provides an outstanding display but is also excellent for helping to stabilise the soil.
From $7.50
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 round texture, movement, and structure, making it a versatile choice for gardens of all sizes. Its graceful arching leaves create a soft appearance that works beautifully in borders, containers, rock gardens, and mass plantings. Phormium 'Pepe' is easy to grow, low maintenance, and well suited to modern landscapes, coastal gardens, and low maintenance planting schemes throughout New Zealand.
From $17.95
