Phormium at Wairere Nursery

Phormium

Here';s the full "flax"! Quintessentially Kiwi, the New Zealand Phormiums or Flaxes are an invaluable piece of our horticultural history. Highly valued by Maori for medicinal purposes and of course used by them for weaving many useful items, the most famous of which is the kete or basket. Actually the word Phormium comes from the Greek "phormos" which relates to baskets. Flax was also one of New Zealand';s first exports. The fibre was used for making twine and rope and was highly valued by the British Navy. There are two species of New Zealand Flax - Phormium tenax or Harakeke which is the larger of the two and Phormium cookianum or Wharaiki.

Flax plants are actually a large perennial herb though we tend to use them in landscaping as we would a shrub. They are incredibly hardy and adaptable and very easy to grow. The long leathery sword like foliage has an attractive arching habit and comes in a myriad of colour choices. The colour of the red varieties is more intense if the foliage is protected from afternoon sun. The rigid flower stalks stand proudly above the foliage in summer and once mature (when they turn bronzy red) are a magnet for birds. The native Tui';s beak fits perfectly into the shape of the Phormium flower. It is great fun to watch them as they apear to gorge themselves into an almost drunken state on the nectar; definitely one of my favourite times in the gardening year. Phormiums also grow well in a container and there are some neat dwarf varieties which are well suited to this purpose. They must be well watered if container grown as Phormiums do not like to dry out completely. The only maintenance they need is the occasional tidy up of old foliage and flower heads. If you have a tough, hard-to-develop site or a bank that needs retaining, then consider a mass planting of Phormium. They will do the job for you very well and in an undemanding fashion. Fabulous along stream banks or around ponds, perfect used amongst large rocks or simply use as a foliage feature in your border or shrubbery. Their form, texture, colour and graceful habit are guaranteed to please.

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41 LISTINGS FOR PHORMIUM

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Phormium Apricot Queen

aka Flax

A NZ native Flax cultivar that has a brilliant upright form and green leaves tinted in apricot. Easy to grow in just about any position you desire. However it will look its best with protection from harsh afternoon sun. Groom to keep tidy. Evergreen.

Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Variegated
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 100cm

Phormium Apricot Queen

Current Stock Height: 40/50 cm ?

Container: 2.5l ?

$24.99

Stock of this item is very low.

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Phormium Black Magic

aka Flax

Native. A special little dwarf flax with attractive, jet black, fine foliage that is highlighted with a lime green margin. An ideal accent plant for borders or for mass planting. Looks good in container too. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade. Evergreen.

Flower Colour: Yellow / Red
PVR:
Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Dark
Mature Size (HxW): 0.3m x 0.3m

Phormium Black Magic

Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?

Container: 2.5l ?

$39.99

Phormium Black Magic

Expected Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?

New stock expected Middle of August, 2025. Waitlist now. Estimated price $29.99. Payment on order.

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Phormium Black Rage

aka Flax

Native. This Flax is far more attractive than its name suggests. The arching swords of foliage are a very attractive smoky black shade with hints of moody blue. Prefers a sunny open position in soil that is not too wet. Feed regularly to maintain colour. Hardy, evergreen.

Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 1m x 1m

Phormium Black Rage

Current Stock Height: 40/50 cm ?

Container: 3.3l ?

$39.99

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Phormium Blondie

aka Flax

Native. A unique and striking small Flax with variegated foliage made up of pale cream and chartreuse stripes. The foliage is narrow and slightly twisted and has a strong weeping tendency. Fabulous for group planting or containers. Easy to grow in morning sun or part shade. Evergreen. PVR.

Flower Colour: Brown / Yellow
PVR:
Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Variegated
Mature Size (HxW): 0.9m x 0.6m

Phormium Blondie

Current Stock Height: 5/10 cm ?

Container: 1.9l ?

$29.99

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Phormium Cookianum

aka Mountain Flax

Yellow flowers appear November to January. Smaller growing than ordinary Flax. Does not like to be water logged but will withstand drought and salt laden wind. Effective in pebble gardens against large boulders. Good for mass planting and erosion control. Evergreen

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 1m x 1m

Phormium Cookianum

Current Stock Height: 20/25cm, 70/80 cm ?

Container: 0.5l ?

$9.99

10+ @ 8.00 each

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Phormium Cream Delight

aka Flax

Native. A compact Flax with attractively arching foliage. The broad leaves have a band of cream, edged with green which is in turn margined with red. Easy to grow in just about any position you desire however will look its best with protection from harsh afternoon sun. Groom to keep tidy. Evergreen

Flower Colour: Yellow / Red
Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Variegated
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 100cm

Phormium Cream Delight

Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?

Container: 3.3l ?

$39.99

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Phormium Crimson and Clover

A nice tidy and compact flax that looks stunning with its Green and red stripes that are intense when grown in full sun. They like it well drained, will tolerate frosts, coastal conditions and poor soils. Looking good in a pot on the deck or in a bulk landscape in the garden or around the pool. Hardy.

Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Red
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 100cm

Phormium Crimson and Clover

Current Stock Height: 40/50 cm ?

Container: 1l ?

$19.99

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Phormium Dark Delight

aka Flax

Native. A beautiful medium sized flax with the deepest wine coloured, sword shaped foliage. Imagine the effect of a large drift of these swaying in the breeze. Alternatively stunning in a container. Easy to grow in just about any condition. Evergreen.

Flower Colour: Brown
Habit: Arching
Leaves: Evergreen, Red
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 1.5m x 1.5m

Phormium Dark Delight

Expected Stock Height: 20/40 cm ?

New stock expected Winter, 2025. Waitlist now. Estimated price $29.99. Payment on order.

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Phormium Duet

aka Flax

An award winning Flax valued because of the attractive variegated foliage and nice tidy, compact habit. The sword like leaves have a green centre and are edged with a soft creamy yellow. Will grow just about anywhere and is very hardy. Evergreen. RHS AGM.

Flower Colour: Yellow / Red
Habit: Clump Forming
Leaves: Evergreen, Variegated
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 60cm x 60cm

Phormium Duet

Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?

Container: 2l ?

$24.99

Stock of this item is very low.

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Phormium Dusky Chief

aka Flax

Clump forming upright growing flax which has striking leaves of dark red with a silvery underside. An ideal accent plant for borders or for mass planting. Looks good in container too. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade. Evergreen.

Flower Colour: Yellow
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Evergreen, Dark
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 100cm

Phormium Dusky Chief

Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?

Container: 3.3l ?

$39.99

41 LISTINGS FOR PHORMIUM

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HL Nurseries Limited t/a Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: