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Phormium ‘Dark Delight’ (New Zealand Flax)

New Zealand Flax 'Dark Delight', Phormium 'Double Delight', Flax Lily 'Dark Delight', Flax Bush 'Dark Delight', New Zealand Hemp 'Dark Delight', Coastal Flax 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', New Zealand Flax 'Dark Delight', Flax Lily 'Dark Delight', Dark Phormium, Flax Bush 'Dark Delight', New Zealand Hemp 'Dark Delight', Coastal Flax 'Dark Delight', Red Phormium, Purple Phormium
Phormium 'Dark Delight', New Zealand Flax 'Dark Delight', Flax Lily 'Dark Delight', Dark Phormium, Flax Bush 'Dark Delight', New Zealand Hemp 'Dark Delight', Coastal Flax 'Dark Delight', Red Phormium, Purple Phormium

One of the darkest New Zealand Flax cultivars, Phormium ‘Dark Delight’ boasts slightly arching, narrow, sword-like, dark reddish-brown leaves. Robust, this evergreen perennial is topped in summer with a dramatic flowering stalk, 5-6 ft. tall (150-180 cm), bearing panicles of tubular, red flowers which attract nectar-seeking birds. Native to New Zealand, this Phormium is primarily grown for its attractive foliage and makes a stunning focal point in the garden, specifically when combined with and amongst brightly colored plants. Ideal for containers or massed in beds to create a dramatic textural effect!

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
  • Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soils and even a strong shade. Salt and drought tolerant but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Great for beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, gravel gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Excellent as container plant!
  • Virtually disease free. Watch for mealybug
  • Propagate by seed sown in spring or by division in spring
  • Remove dead or damaged leaves in the spring

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 2 - 12
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Xanthorrhoeaceae
Genus Phormium
Common names New Zealand Flax, Flax
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Phormium tenax ‘All Black’ (New Zealand Flax)
Phormium tenax Purpureum Group (New Zealand Flax)
Phormium ‘Amazing Red’ (New Zealand Flax)
Phormium ‘Yellow Wave’ (New Zealand Flax)
Phormium ‘Platt’s Black’ (New Zealand Flax)
Phormium tenax (New Zealand Flax)

Recommended Companion Plants

Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paw)
Leucadendron salignum ‘Winter Red’ (Conebush)
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ (Purple Fountain Grass)
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 2 - 12
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Xanthorrhoeaceae
Genus Phormium
Common names New Zealand Flax, Flax
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Phormium (Flax)
Not sure which Phormium (Flax) to pick?
Compare Now

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