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Phormium ‘Yellow Wave’ (New Zealand Flax)

New Zealand Flax 'Yellow Wave', Flax Lily 'Yellow Wave', Flax Bush 'Yellow Wave', New Zealand Hemp 'Yellow Wave', Coastal Flax 'Yellow Wave', Phormium tenax 'Yellow Wave'

AGM Award
Phormium 'Yellow Wave',New Zealand Flax 'Yellow Wave', Flax Lily 'Yellow Wave', Flax Bush 'Yellow Wave', New Zealand Hemp 'Yellow Wave', Coastal Flax 'Yellow Wave', Phormium tenax 'Yellow Wave'

Adding a bright note to the garden year-round, Phormium tenax ‘Yellow Wave’ (New Zealand Flax) is a very ornamental and robust evergreen perennial featuring a basal rosette of arching, strap-shaped leaves up to 40 in. in length (100 cm), heavily striped with cream, butter-yellow and lime-green. The architectural, cascading foliage is topped in summer with a dramatic flowering stalk bearing panicles of tubular, yellow 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 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 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. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soils and even 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

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 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60"
(120cm - 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 Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
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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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 ‘Platt’s Black’ (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’

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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 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60"
(120cm - 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 Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean 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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