Mountain Flax

Phormium Cookianum

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Overview

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax, is a robust, evergreen perennial sporting sword-like leaves, reaching up to 3 ft in length. This New Zealand native thrives in USDA zones 8-10, preferring well-drained soils and full to partial sun. It boasts unique, curving yellow or red flower spikes up to 5 ft tall, adding a dramatic touch to the landscape. Low-maintenance; ideal for mass planting and coastal gardens.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, Low, Medium, Very LowZones 8–10

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — commonly known as Mountain Flax

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Extra in Summer, Low, Medium, Very Low
USDA zones: 8–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Agavaceae

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Photos (68)

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — evergreen perennial sporting sword-like leaves; making it an ideal focal point or accent plant.<br><br>The, image 50

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — commonly known as Mountain Flax; this New Zealand native thrives in USDA zones 8-10, preferring well-drained, image 49

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — This New Zealand native thrives in USDA zones 8-10, preferring well-drained soils and full to partial sun, image 52

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — curving yellow or red flower spikes up to 5 ft tall; commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, image 53

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — reaching up to 3 ft in length; space them approximately 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for mature growth, image 51

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — Low-maintenance; ideal for mass planting and coastal gardens; coupled with its striking appearance, image 55

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — adding a dramatic touch to the landscape; it requires minimal maintenance once established, image 54

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — making it an ideal focal point or accent plant.<br><br>The leaves of Mountain Flax offer a variety of colors, image 59

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — Its architectural form and richly textured foliage add a touch of exotic sophistication to landscape designs, image 58

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki; curving yellow or red flower spikes up to 5 ft tall, image 56

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — is a robust and versatile perennial native to New Zealand; providing visual interest throughout the year, image 57

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — from coastal exposure to partial shade; makes it a valuable addition to borders, image 62

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — providing visual interest throughout the year; is a robust and versatile perennial native to New Zealand, image 60

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — It requires minimal maintenance once established; adding a dramatic touch to the landscape, image 63

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — dramatic flower spikes can shoot up to an additional 6 to 10 feet; consider its need for space, image 61

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — consider its need for space; dramatic flower spikes can shoot up to an additional 6 to 10 feet, image 64

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — withstanding temperatures down to approximately 20°F to 25°F; its architectural form and richly, image 67

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — Space them approximately 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for mature growth; reaching up to 3 ft in length, image 66

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — as the plant's foliage can be quite expansive; though it should be protected from harsh, image 65

Mountain Flax (Phormium Cookianum) — though it should be protected from harsh; as the plant's foliage can be quite expansive, image 68

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