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Phormium ‘Platt’s Black’ (New Zealand Flax)

New Zealand Flax 'Platt's Black', Flax Lily 'Platt's Black', Flax Bush 'Platt's Black', New Zealand Hemp 'Platt's Black', Coastal Flax 'Platt's Black', Phormium cookianum 'Platt's Black'

Phormium 'Platt's Black', New Zealand Flax 'Platt's Black', Flax Lily 'Platt's Black', Black Phormium, Flax Bush 'Platt's Black', New Zealand Hemp 'Platt's Black', Coastal Flax 'Platt's Black', Phormium cookianum 'Platt's Black'

Phormium ‘Platt’s Black’ is a very popular dark-leaved variety of New Zealand Flax with vertical, sword-like, chocolate to black spiky leaves. Glossy on the surface, the foliage has a sheen on the back, providing a delightful architectural effect. Robust, this evergreen perennial is topped in summer with a dramatic flowering stalk 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!

  • Adds architectural height to the garden and grows up to 3-4 ft. high and wide (90-120 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.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Great for beds and borderscity 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 Flax, New Zealand 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' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
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 Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

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

Recommended Companion Plants

Kniphofia ‘Nobilis’ (Red Hot Poker)
Euphorbia wallichii (Wallich Spurge)
Canna ‘Wyoming’ (Canna Lily)
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Helenium ‘Rubinzwerg’ (Sneezeweed)
Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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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 Flax, New Zealand 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' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
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 Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
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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