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' 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 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
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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 | Phormium - Flaxes |
| 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) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
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.
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 | Phormium - Flaxes |
| 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) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
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