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Great Design Plant: New Zealand Flax

A commanding presence, year-round foliage and a hardy nature make flax a winner in the landscape even in fall and winter

Annie Thornton September 20, 2012

Houzz Editorial Staff

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New Zealand flax brings texture, color and foliage to the landscape year-round — especially welcome in otherwise barren fall and winter gardens. While falling leaves, a visible cue of the changing of the seasons, are always a visual treat, the end result is often a landscape filled with bare branches. Flax fares well alongside its deciduous neighbors with or without their foliage, its large leaves enhancing the landscape in every season.

Ubiquitous to New Zealand, flax became known to the West with a James Cook expedition in the 18th century. It has only continued to grow in popularity since. Showcased in the gardens of Paris and made popular in the modern California garden by noted landscape designer Thomas Church, flax has established itself as a major player in the yard. And thanks to science and technology, the emergence of colorful and variegated hybrids may help to energize interest in this hardworking garden accent.

Contemporary Landscape by Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

Botanical name: Phormium cultivars and hybrids
Common name: New Zealand flax
USDA zones: 8 to 11 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Little to moderate
Sun requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 9 feet tall and wide, depending on species
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerant of coastal conditions, soil and wind
Seasonal interest: Year-round foliage; flowers in spring or summer
When to plant: Late spring or summer

Traditional Landscape Residence

Distinguishing traits. Flaxes are defined by rigid leaves of a considerable size, reaching heights of up to 9 feet. Primarily upright, the leaves droop slightly at the tips and clump to epic proportions. Erect flowers emerge in summer or spring, but it's the foliage that provides most interest.

Shown: Phormium 'Wings of Gold' with Echium fastuosum

Mediterranean Landscape by Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Colorful and variegated varieties of Phormium tenax as well as hybrids created with another Phormium, Phormium cookanium, have revived and reinvigorated flax's popularity. While P. tenax is more of an upright plant and P. cookanium arches heavily, hybrids can fall anywhere in between.

Shown: Phormium 'Jester'

Modern Landscape by Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture

How to use it. New Zealand flax functions like an ornamental grass on steroids — it’s a garden focal point to the extreme. It has a commanding presence in the garden and should be planted with that in mind. Surround flax with grasses, plant it in containers or even showcase it alongside pools and water features à la Thomas Church.

Phormium's tolerance of sea-coast conditions and wind makes it an excellent windbreak solution, especially along the coast.

Shown: Phormium 'Firebird'

Contemporary Landscape by debora carl landscape design

debora carl landscape design

Planting notes. Yet another New Zealand native that's resilient and easy to grow, flax can survive in most situations that typically would be botanical deal breakers, like poor soil conditions, wind and salt. It will grow in full sun or partial shade. It is susceptible to rot, however, if the soil doesn't drain well enough.

Temperatures much below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the plant to die off — if you are on the cusp, try planting it in a garden spot that will receive more protection. Cool weather and full sun intensify its color. Be sure to remove spent foliage and flowers.

Shown: Phormium 'Amazing Red'

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Comments (12)

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smsk10033

Has anyone had success at growing P tenax in manhattan? I'm from NZ and would love to plant some large varieties along with grasses in our Harlem garden (south facing so pretty good sun exposure etc). Any experience or ideas?

1 Like April 20, 2013 at 6:14PM

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smsk10033

And my newly acquired Pukeko wants a reminder of home (seen here 'practicing' in my parents garden in Clive, NZ before we flew back to NYC in February .....

Like April 20, 2013 at 6:17PM

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bmaloney

Phormium will only survive in a container that is brought indoors in winter in NYC. I have been using Yucca filamentosa for a hardy, spike-leaved shrub in New England (Zone 5). The species has stout gray-green leaves, the variety 'Golden Sword' has slightly shorter spikes that are green with yellow variegation.

1 Like September 26, 2013 at 2:27PM

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