Using New Zealand Flax in the Garden
Phormiums or the New Zealand Flax Phormium Tenax is a very useful architectural plant to add colour and structure to any garden. Let’s look at some ways to use it in the garden or patio.
Phormiums – Using New Zealand Flax in the UK Garden
The variegated form Phormium Tenax Variegatum – a popular plant with landscapers and designers – is a handsome upright specimen with its lime green and cream white stripes. This Variegated Phormium does not get as large as Phormium Tenax (the dark green variety) and works well for under-planting as a contrast for taller specimens such as Trachycarpus Fortunei and Olives.
The dark green Phormium Tenax for its size alone makes a very impressive specimen – but a personal favourite is the purple Phormium Tenax Purpureum. It is very variable in colour but good dark coloured forms (dark burgundy colour) are very desirable.
Phormium Yellow Wave | Phormiums under Olive Tree | Phormium Flamingo
Phormiums should be planted in a sunny area where possible. They will also grow well in the shade provided sufficient light. The low-growing varieties which are the most colourful with pink and even reddish stripes can be grown in pots. The Phormium Tenax forms have very upright foliage but all the Phormium Cookianum forms have pendulous wider foliage, they are smaller in stature and low-growing.
Phormiums can be killed in very severe winters, but it helps to pack straw around the base of the leaves which should also be tied up through the coldest winter months.
Many new varieties of Phormium are now extremely popular to add colour to the garden. Popular new phormiums include the Cookianum varieties such as Phormium Flamingo which has wonderful vibrant pink leaves, or Phormium Yellow Wave with a brighter shiny lime green and white margins, and Phormium Maori Queen with a rainbow stripes including red, pink and bronze.
Ideal as a present to keep in a pot or for landscaping an entire garden the Phormiums are an elegant and versatile architectural plant.
