Flaxes are a distinctive type of plant that have become a symbol of New Zealand gardens. Their striking foliage, low-maintenance nature, and adaptability make them highly prized. Whether you want structure in your landscape or year-round color, flaxes thrive across a range of environments. Learn more about flaxes and how they can enhance your outdoor space below.
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' is an architectural evergreen prized for its variegated sword like leaves washed with soft gold and green tones. In...
Cordyline 'Lime Foutain' is a fresh and vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bright lime green foliage and graceful fountain like form. The...
Dianella 'Breeze' (Turutu) is a hardy and attractive perennial that brings lush, strappy green foliage and clusters of delicate blue flowers to New...
Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...
Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small...
Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...
Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...
Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...
Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...
Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is a striking NZ flax prized for its deep purple black foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen variety adds year...
Phormium 'Black Rage' is a striking New Zealand native flax known for its bold, upright leaves in deep shades of dark purple to near black. This...
Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...
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...
Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...
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...
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...
Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...
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...
Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...
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...
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...
Flaxes refer to a group of hardy, strappy-leaved plants commonly found throughout New Zealand landscapes. The most well-known among them is the New Zealand Flax, or Phormium tenax, renowned for its upright form and bold, architectural impact. However, the term flaxes has broadened to include related genera such as Libertia and Dianella, which offer similar appeal but with varied leaf colours, textures, and growth habits.
Flaxes are loved for their ability to thrive in diverse conditions. Their leaves come in shades of green, bronze, red, and yellow, making them adaptable to any garden palette. These plants are not only drought tolerant but also wind and coastal hardy, which is crucial in many NZ gardens.
If you are interested in exploring the different varieties, consider Phormium 'Emerald Gem', a compact option perfect for smaller spaces, or Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris) for attractive white blooms.
Flaxes are exceptionally easy to grow. Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot with well-drained soil. Once established, most flaxes require little maintenance—just remove old leaves at the base to promote fresh growth. Their clumping habit allows them to form bold statements in borders, mass plantings, and containers.
Flaxes suit a wide range of garden styles, from modern coastal themes to native plantings and wildlife-friendly gardens. With their tough constitution, they are often used as low-maintenance features in both residential and commercial landscapes. Whether you want to add structure, create habitat for birds, or simply enjoy year-round foliage colour, flaxes are a reliable choice.
For additional advice on plant care, the Libertia guide provides helpful insights if you’re adding these related plants to your collection.
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