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 'Jester'
Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This variety typically grows to 1 m tall and the same wide with a tidy and compact habit. Phormium 'Jester' is often added to mixed plantings and borders, used in coastal gardens, planted to accentuate water features such as ponds and streams, or grown around pool and barbecue areas.
From $20.93
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 $14.78
