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Phormium tenax Purpureum Group (New Zealand Flax)

New Zealand flax Purpureum Group, Phormium tenax 'Purpureum', Purple New Zealand Flax, Phormium 'Wilwood'

AGM Award
Phormium tenax Purpureum Group, New Zealand flax Purpureum Group, Phormium tenax 'Purpureum', Purple New Zealand Flax, Phormium 'Wilwood', Dark Phormium, Hardy Phormium, Bronze Phormium, Chocolate Phormium, Purple Phormium

Adding majesty to the garden year-round, Phormium tenax Purpureum Group (New Zealand Flax) is a very ornamental and robust evergreen perennial featuring a basal rosette of dark purple, strap-shaped leaves up to 6 ft. in length (2 m), that gracefully arch over toward the tips. The architectural and richly colored foliage is topped in summer with a dramatic flowering stalk, up to 10 ft. high (3 m), bearing panicles of tubular, red flowers which attract nectar-seeking birds. Native to New Zealand, Phormium tenax is primarily grown for its attractive foliage and makes a stunning focal point in the garden. Most plants do not flower until they are fully mature.

  • Adds architectural height to the garden and grows up to 4-6 ft. high and wide (120-180 cm).
  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part 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

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Heat Zones 2 - 11
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 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Phormium tenax ‘All Black’ (New Zealand Flax)
Phormium ‘Dark Delight’ (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

Arctotis x hybrida ‘Flame’ (African Daisy)
Kniphofia ‘Percy’s Pride’ (Red Hot Poker)
Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass)
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Glowing Border Idea with Architectural Perennials and Grasses
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 7 - 11
Heat Zones 2 - 11
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 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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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