skip to main content

California Gardening

Are Phormium 'Rubra' and Phormium 'Rubrum' the same plants?

14 years ago

Are Phormium 'Rubra' and Phormium 'Rubrum' the same plants? I tried to check them out online, but I get conflicting information on these two from different web sites. Heck, that happens with lots of plants that I have researced.

I want a dark Phormium with upright, sword-like leaves (not one that looks like 'grass') but I don't have room for a huge one. I would like a dark red or maroon or purplish color. I asked a friend of mine and he said some get as big as a car and you need a Bobcat to take them out! That sure won't work in this instance, since there are boundary limitations.

Hubby and I looked at two very nice nurseries in the Sacramento area today. Hubby loved the 'Rubra' that we saw, and now that is the standard by which he is going to judge all future candidates. The specimen said it got to 6' tall, which is a deal breaker for me. Sorry, I wish I could change the laws of physics...but it's just not going to fit if it gets BIG. I read on the Marcos site that 'Rubrum' only gets to 3' tall. That's the size I want. Any ideas? Do any of you have personal experience that might help???

Thanks,

Bonnie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gardenguru1950
14 years ago
Phormium tenax 'Rubra' is now known as 'Wildwood'. It's a relative oldtimer and it gets fairly big (4-6').

Phormium 'Rubrum' is a newer hybrid, medium height (3-4'), with narrow (not exactly grasslike) leaves. Too stiff for me.

For purplish leaves, 3-4' height, I like:

'Bobby Dazzler'
'Dark Delight'
'Dark Delight Seedling'
'Dusky Chief'
'Dwarf Burgundy'
'Margaret Jones'
'Monrovia Red'

Joe
0
mats
14 years ago
Good list Joe, to which I would add Platt's Black.

But 'Dark Delight' and 'Dark Delight Seedling' are one and the same, aren't they?
0
Related Discussions
Suggestions for replacing large phormiums
Q
Comments (3)
Talk to the better nurseries in your area. They're starting to come out with smaller phormium varieties to better fit small urban lots. Try checking out the images from David Feix San Jose on Google Images. He does a lot of work with drought resistant landscaping (he posts occasionally on the Landscaping forum under the name "bahia"). He uses berming to add height to his plant compositions and you might find his work so inspiring you'll want to redo everything!
...See More
About growing phormium hybrids in containers...
Q
Comments (1)
Phormium is not grass. You might want to post your question in Container Gardening, or Perennials.
...See More
Phormium tenax - New Zealand Flax
Q
Comments (18)
myrah, I'm going to assume that 5 in your original post referred to Sunset zone rather than USDA zone as there is no way NZ flax would have survived for 5 years in a USDA zone 5 :-)) Yes, damaged foliage can be cut back to close to the ground - it will take a couple of seasons before they regain their appearance but they will in time. And they can be divided - commercial propagation is most often done in this manner. But they produce a big, heavy, fleshy root system and digging out a full grown flax is a serious undertaking. It took 3 of us to dig out mine (and 2 were big, beefy young guys!) FWIW, this PNW winter was not at all to phormiums' liking and a good many even mature specimens bit the dust! I will be replacing several of mine, all in place for many years.
...See More
basic questions about NZ Flax (phormium)
Q
Comments (30)
There was no frost at all in January in Portland and then February had below 20* temps. I am still seeing Trachycarpus and Phormium around town. Not noticing death or damage. Just drove past three taller than 10' windmill palms yesterday. They looked fine and were in an open location. I had a early blooming Rhodie suffer frost bite on all buds and new leaf tips are damaged too. I am worried about a couple hardy fuchsias planted in the fall and not properly mulched. The rest are showing growth from the roots. My newly planted (late summer) Hebe 'Red Tip's all made it with no protection. I was actually in Seattle on business when the Arctic Blast hit. I am not one who pushes the climate envelope so my experiences aren't that useful to those who do but I was just mentally commenting on Phormiums and Trachycarpus yesterday after seeing healthy ones. I grew up and learned to garden in a warmer climate so I enjoy growing the typical Northwest plants here. Whenever I've pushed the climate envelope Escallonia, some Hebes, Pittosporum, they have failed. Eventually we get a really cold winter.
...See More
gardenguru1950
14 years ago
mats:

As far as I know, they are not the same.

San Marcos Growers started with 'Dark Delight' (a patented hybrid from NZ) and then offered both 'Dark Delight' and 'Dark Delight Seedling'. The 'DD Seedling' was/is something they propagate from seed collected from a stand of 'Dark Delight'.

Hard to tell the difference even when two good plants are side-by-side. But amongst a group of 'DD Seedling', one can see the subtle variability.

Joe
0
mats
14 years ago
Joe wrote: "Hard to tell the difference even when two good plants are side-by-side. But amongst a group of 'DD Seedling', one can see the subtle variability."

Thanks for the info Joe.

Speaking of variability, that's one of my biggest complaints about Phormiums. More than once I've planted a grouping (3 - 5) of Amazing Red, Pink Stripe, or Sundowner only to have them grow in very differently ways - size wise. Very frustrating.

I had high hopes for Monrovia's 'Festival Grass' Cordyline x 'Jurred' but found it works best with some afternoon shade. I assumed that being a Cordyline that it would be tough as nails but that isn't the case.

Been using the other clumping Cordyline 'Electric Pink' with success so far, especially in containers.
0

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Make Your Roses Even More Beautiful With These Companion Plants

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Nourish your rosebushes and create a visual feast with these 7 classic and unexpected plant pairings

PLANTING IDEAS 8 Sumptuous Shade Garden Plant Combinations

By Olander Garden Design

Enjoy these plant combinations made for spots with varying levels of shade and different garden zones

WINTER GARDENING 7 Container Plantings to Bring Winter Gardens to Life

By Matt Kilburn

Adding instant color but with long-lasting practicality, these plant groupings are bright spots in a slumbering wintertime garden

GARDENING GUIDES The Secret Formula for Grouping Plants in a Pot

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Designing a gorgeous container garden is easy once you know this simple rule of thumb for composition

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Simple Container Plantings for Intriguing Garden Design

Beyond mere decoration, thoughtfully chosen pared-down pots and plants can be integral to interest in the garden

FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Golden Breath of Heaven

By Annie Thornton

Aromatic foliage as soft as an angel's wing makes this plant a blessing in any garden, but it's the vivid chartreuse color that's divine

PLANTING IDEAS Create High-Impact Container Gardens With Grasses

By Olander Garden Design

When it comes to adding drama, texture and panache to a pot, these strappy species are hard to beat

LAWN ALTERNATIVES Stop Fighting the Patchy Lawn!

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Here are 3 situations where a garden may be a better idea than more turfgrass

GRASSES Versatile Breeze Mat Rush Sails Into Drought-Tolerant Yards

By Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Grassy Lomandra longifolia thrives year-round in shady and sunny gardens, in containers and in the ground

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Incorporate Your Roofing Into the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Choose hardscape and plantings that work with your roof’s color, texture, shape and line

Sponsored

Frasure Home Improvements

2 Reviews

Franklin County's Highly Skilled General Contractor

More Discussions

Year of the Wood Dragon

13

suburban raccoon - should I do anything?

1

Cercis occidentalis from seed collected today 2/14/24

5

What type of oak is this? zone 9b/10a SF East Bay

2

Is This baby Ivy…eating my shrubs…

1