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variegated phormium

Variegated phormium is a stunning option for anyone seeking bold foliage and reliable structure in their garden. Renowned for its colourful, striped leaves, this distinctive New Zealand native brings architectural interest to coastal, modern, and classic landscapes. If you're searching for dramatic texture, hardiness, and a low-maintenance feature plant, variegated phormium delivers vibrant results throughout the year.

A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

5 from 3 customers

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to bronze shades. This striking ornamental variety brings drama, colour, and structure to gardens year round.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven'

Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven' is a stunning perennial admired for its finely divided variegated foliage and clusters of soft lavender blue bell shaped flowers that appear during spring and early summer. The attractive cream and green foliage often develops pink tinges, creating year round interest in New Zealand gardens.

From $30.29

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen shrub renowned for its beautifully variegated foliage and elegant growth habit. The...

From$22.01
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Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold...

From$14.95
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
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$14.95
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...

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
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Portulacaria afra 'Variegata'

Portulacaria afra 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen succulent shrub prized for its creamy white and green variegated foliage carried on...

From$19.50
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 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' variegated foliage.
Pittosporum 'Marjorie Channon' (Kohuhu)

Pittosporum ‘Marjorie Channon’ is a popular evergreen shrub admired for its striking variegated foliage. Its green leaves are edged with creamy...

From$22.01
Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum white flowers and variegated leaves.
Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides Variegatum is a striking evergreen climber featuring glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white margins. In summer, it...

From$15.50
Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

From$17.95
Pittosporum crassifolium 'variegata' plant with variegated leaves and purple flowers.
Pittosporum crassifolium 'variegata' (Variegated Karo)

Pittosporum crassifolium variegata produces variegated leaves that are mid-green and surrounded by a cream-white edge. These are complemented by...

From$22.01
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 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
Cornus controversa variegata (Wedding Cake Tree) specimen in a large garden.
Cornus controversa variegata

Cornus controversa variegata, commonly referred to as the Wedding Cake Tree, features tiered branches that bear leaves that are variegated cream and...

From$340.69
Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides variegata

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

From$24.95
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$12.95
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Acer 'Esk Sunset'

Acer 'Esk Sunset' is a stunning deciduous maple prized for its richly variegated foliage with green leaves flushed in pink, cream, and purple...

From$299.95
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Viburnum tinus variegatum

Viburnum tinus 'Variegatum' is an attractive evergreen shrub prized for its cream and green variegated foliage that provides year round colour and...

From$27.53
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Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

From$349.95
westringia-wynyabbie-highlight--4
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Highlight'

Westringia 'Wynyabbie Highlight' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its fine variegated green and cream foliage, naturally rounded habit, and...

From$18.95
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

From$16.95
Variegated Monstera plant in a pot with cream and green foliage.
Monstera albo 'variegata'

The Albo Variegata Monstera, also known as the Variegated Monstera, is a striking indoor plant prized for its large, split leaves splashed with...

From$149.95
Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

From$30.29
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' plant with pink flowers and foliage variegated green and yellow.
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow'

Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' is an architectural evergreen prized for its variegated sword like leaves washed with soft gold and green tones. In...

From$37.19
Aechmea gamosepala 'Lucky Stripe' plants.
Aechmea gamosepala 'Lucky Stripe'

Aechmea gamosepala 'Lucky Stripe' is a striking variegated bromeliad admired for its arching green leaves with bold cream striped variegation and...

From$28.91
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Phormium, Pittosporum, and Polemonium, or related Categories - Flaxes, Indoor Plants, and Perennials.

Search variegated phormium

What Is Variegated Phormium?

Variegated phormium, commonly known as New Zealand flax, refers to several cultivars of Phormium with striking multicoloured leaves. These varieties feature bands or stripes of cream, yellow, pink, or red running along deep green, olive, or bronze blades. The bold leaf variegation stands out not only in mixed borders but also in containers or as focal points.

Popular variegated cultivars include Phormium 'Tricolour', which offers bright cream and red margins, and Phormium 'Pink Panther', prized for its rich pink hues. These types of phormium provide contrasting tones that add energy and visual interest to any outdoor space.

How to Grow Variegated Phormium

One reason for the popularity of variegated phormium is its effortless care. These flaxes thrive in full sun or partial shade and cope well with a range of soil types, as long as drainage is reasonable. Naturally suited to coastal New Zealand conditions, phormium tolerates wind, salt, and moderate drought once established.

Plant in groups for a lush, textural effect, or dot individual plants through a gravel or Mediterranean-style garden. Variegated phormium creates a dynamic backdrop for flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses, or bolder foliage plants like Peperomia clusiifolia.

Design Uses for Variegated Phormium

Thanks to eye-catching form and evergreen leaves, variegated phormium shines as both a statement plant and an informal screen. It pairs beautifully with contemporary architecture but also suits classic cottage borders. Try combining variegated phormium with contrasting textures, such as the fine foliage of Pleioblastus viridistriatus (Pleioblastus), for a dramatic mixed planting.

Other popular cultivars like Phormium 'Veneer' introduce subtle pewter and burgundy tones, providing more options for creative garden schemes. Whether you use variegated phormium in pots, around pools, or as roadside feature plants, these flaxes will provide colour and movement through all seasons.

Caring for Your Variegated Phormium

Maintaining the vibrancy of variegated phormium is straightforward. Remove spent leaves from the base to keep clumps tidy. Mulch annually and feed in spring for best leaf colour. Regular watering helps young plants establish, after which they require little maintenance. With their robust nature, variegated phormium is a fantastic choice for both urban gardeners and rural landscapes.

Explore our full range, including Phormium 'Tricolour', Phormium 'Pink Panther', and Phormium 'Veneer', to find the perfect variegated phormium for your garden. Embrace the easy-care brilliance and lasting colour that only these wonderful New Zealand flaxes can bring.

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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.

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You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Photinia 'Red Robin' and Ficus benjamina 'Starlight', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Orange 'Powell Navel', Peach 'Sanguine', and Echeveria secunda?
–The Plant Company

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