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New Zealand Flax

Phormium Tenax

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Overview

New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) stands out with sword-shaped, evergreen leaves reaching up to 10 feet long and 5 inches wide. Its dramatic foliage ranges from olive green to bronze, and in summer, it shoots up striking flower stalks up to 13 feet, attracting pollinators. Hardy in zones 8-11, it thrives in full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil. Ideal as a focal point or in mass plantings for textural contrast.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater LowZones 9–10Type ShrubClimate Subtropical

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Low
USDA zones
9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Shrub
Family
Agavaceae
Climate
Subtropical

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Photos (24)

New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — evergreen leaves reaching up to 10 feet long and 5 inches wide
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — it shoots up striking flower stalks up to 13 feet
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — Its dramatic foliage ranges from olive green to bronze
New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) — New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax) stands out with sword-shaped
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax
Phormium Tenax

Photograph: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

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