Scientific Name:
Phormium tenax
Pronunciation:
FOR-mee-um TEN-acks
Common Name:
New Zealand flax
Family Name:
Asphodelaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal, linear, erect, V-shaped at midrib, mostly over 1m long.
Habit:
Arching, Dense, Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical, Vase
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Australia / New Zealand
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 8a: (-12 to -9.5 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Container planting, Perennial border, Specimen plant, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include P. 'Dusky Chief', P. 'Flamingo', P. 'Pink Stripe', P. ‘Amazing Red', P. 'Bronze Baby', P. 'Tricolor', P. 'Variegatum', and P. 'Yellow Wave’.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green, Green-yellow, Yellow, Pink, Red, Dark-red, Bronze, Various foliage colors are available.
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated
Inflorescence Type:
Panicle
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Red (does not flower reliably if at in the Greater Vancouver area)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Six tepals
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Black
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy,
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes, Tuberous roots
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot (Pest resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
