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Step 1
Phormium 'Jester'New Zealand flax is the common name for Phormium. There are large varieties of this plant that spike sword-like leaves over 8' high and dwarf varieties that grow under a foot. All make clumps of long, smooth leaves that offer a vertical effect to the usual clumping shape of most gardens. They provide drama in ornamental grass gardens although they do flower and are not actually grasses. They soften the look of boulders and with their colorful foliage they can add year 'round foliage color to the design of any garden.
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Step 2
Phormium 'Sea Jade'New Zealand Flax is easily grown. Plant them like any other plant: knock them out of the pot, loosen the roots if tightly wrapped in the pot before planting, and plant in a well-watered hole in average soil. Plant the pot soil level to be even with the garden soil level, fill in the remaining hole and water in well.
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Step 3
New Zealand flax will also tolerate poor and dry soils. They have very few pests and readily grow into attractive clumps. Most varieties will handle a light frost.
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Step 4
Phormium 'Yellow Wave'New Zealand flax is a low-maintenance plant. In hot desert-like sun you will need to supply some shade for most varieties. On the coast most can take full sun. The plain Phormium tenax bronze variety 'rubrum' or the green variety are the most tolerant of hot sun. They can grow to 10' tall. There are many more named varieties that have colorful foliage are are more likely to top out at 2 1/2' - 4' tall.
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Step 5
Phormium 'Pink Stripe'Use these plants as powerful decorative accents. Small varieties like P. 'Bronze Baby' can be scattered throughout the garden like low, bronze wide-leafed grasses. Use them wherever you want to punch up a focal point or soften a hard edge of a rock, fence or structure. They also look superb around water features.
Comments
GreenGardenChic said
on 7/22/2008 One of my favorites. Thanks for the tips.