{"title":"New Zealand Flax (Phormium)","description":"\u003cp\u003eNew Zealand flax, Phormium, forms bold evergreen clumps of stiff, sword shaped leaves that hold their shape all year. The wild species is a large plant, but breeding has produced compact selections with bronze, dark and green foliage that fit ordinary gardens and pots. Landscapers use flax as a structural accent, in mass plantings and near the coast, where it shrugs off wind. It grows in cool to warm temperate climates. Choose by foliage colour and by mature height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to choose a New Zealand flax\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSize comes first, because flax varies from knee high to well above head height. Phormium tenax, the species, grows two to three metres tall with flower stalks higher again. The named garden forms are much smaller. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sweet-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax\"\u003eSweet Mist New Zealand Flax\u003c\/a\u003e is a dwarf bronze selection suited to borders and pots. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/phormium-bronze-baby-phormium-bronze-baby\"\u003ePhormium Bronze Baby\u003c\/a\u003e is a long established compact bronze form with arching leaves, and the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bronze-warrior-flax-phormium-bronze-warrior\"\u003eBronze Warrior Flax\u003c\/a\u003e is another bronze leaved variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a darker accent there is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-rage-plant-phormium-black-rage\"\u003eBlack Rage Plant\u003c\/a\u003e, and for a plain green clump that sets off coloured neighbours, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/green-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax\"\u003eGreen Mist New Zealand Flax\u003c\/a\u003e. Check the mature height listed for each variety before deciding where it goes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere New Zealand flax grows\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFlax does well in cool to warm temperate climates: Tasmania, Victoria, the southern tablelands, Adelaide, Perth and the coast up to about Sydney. It takes frost, strong wind and salt spray, and grows in most soils. In tropical and subtropical humidity it sulks: the crown is prone to rot in hot, wet summers, and plants often decline after a few years. North of Sydney, give it an open, airy position with sharp drainage, or choose another strappy plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun gives the strongest leaf colour, though flax grows in part shade. It is a natural choice among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003ecoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e, and it combines well with other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003egrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e. Compact forms are sound \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe plain species can self seed in cool, wet districts. If you garden near bushland or a waterway, cut off the spent flower stalks before the seed ripens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and spacing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in autumn or spring. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot, set the plant at the same depth it grew, and avoid burying the crown, where the leaves fan out. Space dwarf forms 40 to 60 centimetres apart for a mass planting, and medium forms about a metre apart. In heavy clay, raise the planting area so water drains away from the crown. Mulch, but keep it back from the base of the fan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first summer. Established clumps are drought hardy in temperate areas, though coloured forms look fresher with an occasional deep soak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNever shear a flax across the top. Cut leaves do not regrow from the cut, so the brown, blunt ends stay for years. Instead, remove old, split or dead leaves one at a time, cutting each as low as you can at the base of the fan with a sharp knife or secateurs. Do this once a year in late winter. Cut flower stalks off at the base after flowering. If a coloured variety sends up a plain green fan, remove it at the base before it takes over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does New Zealand flax grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt depends on the variety. The species reaches two to three metres, while dwarf selections stay well under a metre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I cut flax back to the ground?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is better not to. Remove individual old leaves at the base instead. A hard cut leaves a clump of blunt stubs that takes a long time to recover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes New Zealand flax grow in Queensland?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is unreliable in coastal Queensland because of the summer humidity. It can do well in cooler, elevated districts with good drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill flax grow near the beach?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It tolerates salt wind and sandy soil, and is widely used in coastal gardens across southern Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bronze-warrior-flax-phormium-bronze-warrior","title":"Bronze Warrior Flax - Phormium 'Bronze Warrior'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBronze Warrior Flax (\u003cem\u003ePhormium tenax\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bronze Warrior') is what you plant when a position has defeated everything else. Stiff upright blades in bronze purple stand about 1.8m tall and 1.5m across, and the clump takes salt spray, constant wind, frost, drought and damp ground in its stride.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour that lasts all winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bronze purple blades hold their tone year round, so the bed reads as colour when nothing is flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn unusual run of tolerances.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy, salt tolerant, wind tolerant, drought tolerant and comfortable with wet feet once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitecture without the upkeep.\u003c\/strong\u003e A strong vertical form that needs no clipping, staking or shaping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBirds use it.\u003c\/strong\u003e The red summer flower spikes sit above the foliage where honeyeaters can reach them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart for a continuous run of upright foliage. At that spacing the fans meet without the clumps pushing into each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens and exposed blocks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt laden wind that shreds soft leaved shrubs does nothing to a flax, so it suits front line coastal beds and windy rural boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and feature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One clump in a 50cm pot gives height and colour by a door, and a single plant in gravel or lawn ends a bed neatly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bronze Warrior Flax in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the deepest bronze; part shade turns the foliage greener and looser. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical gardens, so most of southern and eastern Australia can grow it in the ground, frost included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fussy at all. It copes with heavy soil that stays damp, which kills most feature plants, and is equally at home in coastal sand. Mulch 75mm deep, clear of the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the first summer to settle the roots, after which it is genuinely drought tolerant. One application of controlled release fertiliser in early spring is all it asks for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Never shear the top, because cut blades stay blunt. Pull or cut old blades right out at the base, and remove spent flower stems once the seed heads brown off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is sold in one size, 200mm in a pack of 6, which is the practical unit: six clumps at 1m spacing cover roughly 6m of border. Plants arrive as young fans rather than full clumps and reach their full 1.8m over two to three seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrappy foliage travels well, though blades are tied in for transit and can look creased for a fortnight. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eBrowse grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eCompare salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eDesigning with ornamental grasses\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne metre apart for mass planting or a border. Closer than that and the outer blades of neighbouring clumps rub and tear in wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it handle a windy coastal block?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, this is one of its strengths. Salt spray and steady wind do not burn the foliage, which is why flax is used on dune plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I plant it in a wet spot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established it tolerates ground that stays damp, so it suits a low corner or the edge of a rain garden. Give it ordinary drainage while it is settling in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it grow well in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt does. Use a pot of at least 50cm, water through summer and refresh the top of the mix each spring. Expect a smaller clump than in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":44960472465727,"sku":"PHO-SPP-BROWAR-200MM-P6","price":300.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":55100370420031,"sku":"PHO-SPP-BROWAR-300MM","price":165.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Bronze-Warrior-Flax-Phormium-Bronze-Warrior.jpg?v=1741858563"},{"product_id":"black-rage-plant-phormium-black-rage","title":"Black Rage Plant - Phormium ‘Black Rage’","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlack Rage (\u003cem\u003ePhormium tenax\u003c\/em\u003e 'Black Rage') is the near black strappy plant that gives a bed its backbone. It forms an upright fan of arching leaves to about 1m tall and 1m wide, deep bronze to almost black, holding that colour all year rather than fading through summer. It is a New Zealand flax, so wind, salt, drought and frost are all part of its normal working conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark foliage that holds.\u003c\/strong\u003e The near black leaves stay dark year round, which is what makes it such a useful contrast against silver, lime and grey foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural shape.\u003c\/strong\u003e The upright, fanned habit reads as a deliberate design element at about 1m each way, without the bulk of a shrub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely tough.\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy, drought tolerant, salt tolerant, wind tolerant and comfortable in a spot that stays damp. Few plants take that whole list.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow maintenance, and good in a pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e No shaping or clipping, just the occasional spent leaf pulled out. The clump stays contained, so a large container holds it for years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single clump at a corner, a doorway or the turn of a path anchors the planting around it, and it reads best against a pale wall or light paving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 80cm apart for a repeated block. At that spacing the fans overlap enough to look continuous while each plant keeps its shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens and pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt and wind tolerance make it a front line coastal plant, and a 500mm container suits a balcony or poolside grouping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Black Rage in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the darkest colour; in shade the leaves lighten and the clump grows looser. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, and is frost hardy once established. In the hottest inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf tip burn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fussy. It grows in ordinary soil, in heavy soil, and in a spot that stays damp after rain, which is unusual for a plant that is also drought tolerant. Mulch 75mm deep, kept off the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water twice a week through the first summer to establish the clump, then only in extended dry spells. A controlled release fertiliser in early spring keeps the leaves broad and well coloured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No shearing. Pull or cut individual old leaves out at the base as they brown off, and lift and divide the clump every four or five years if it becomes congested or the centre thins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is grown in three sizes: tube stock, 140mm in packs of ten and 200mm in packs of six. Tubes are the value option for mass planting, where twenty plants at 80cm spacing cover a lot of bed. The 200mm plants give a recognisable fan in the first season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll sizes arrive as small fans rather than full clumps, and young leaves are often lighter than the mature foliage. Strappy plants travel very well, with a bent leaf tip the worst you should see. Expect real presence by the second summer. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eBrowse grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eUsing ornamental grasses in garden design\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003eCompare architectural plants for designed gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eSalt tolerant plants for coastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEighty centimetres apart for a mass planting or a repeated border. For single feature clumps, allow a full metre so the fan can spread without touching what is beside it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely in cultivation. This is a foliage plant first. If it does throw a flower spike the nectar draws honeyeaters, so treat that as a bonus rather than the reason to plant it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the new leaves greener than the old ones?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung growth colours up over time, and shade lightens the whole plant. Move it into full sun for the darkest foliage, and give it a season to settle before judging the colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51647789662527,"sku":"PHO-BLA-RAG-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54140080750911,"sku":"PHO-BLA-RAG-140MM-P10","price":209.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140080718143,"sku":"PHO-BLA-RAG-200MM-P6","price":223.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Black-Rage-Plant-Phormium-Black-Rage.png?v=1794662947"},{"product_id":"phormium-bronze-baby-phormium-bronze-baby","title":"Phormium ‘Bronze Baby’ - Phormium ‘Bronze Baby’","description":"\u003cp\u003eBronze Baby Phormium (\u003cem\u003ePhormium tenax\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bronze Baby') is a compact New Zealand flax with arching strap leaves in deep bronze red. It holds at about 70cm tall and 80cm wide, which keeps it in scale in a pot or the front row of a border where a full sized flax would take over. The colour is there every day of the year, with no flowers to wait for and almost nothing to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear round colour without flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bronze red foliage carries a bed through winter, when most colour in the garden has gone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact by nature.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 70cm by 80cm it never needs cutting back to fit, unlike the larger phormiums that swallow a courtyard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal proof.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt tolerant and wind firm, so it holds its shape on an exposed beachside block or a windy balcony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought and frost tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it copes with dry spells and cold snaps without missing a season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlmost no maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e No pruning, no staking, no deadheading. Pull the odd spent leaf and that is the job done.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single plant suits a 400mm pot for years, and the upright fan shape gives height in a mixed planter without crowding it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders, edging and mass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart for a solid band of bronze. That spacing lets the clumps touch without shading each other into thin, floppy growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and feature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt and wind tolerance make it a reliable front garden plant near the beach, and a single clump reads well against pale gravel, render or timber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bronze Baby Phormium in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the deepest bronze; in part shade the leaves turn greener and the clump opens up. This is a warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean plant. It is frost hardy, but in tropical and subtropical humidity it is short lived and prone to crown rot, so northern gardeners should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drainage is the one real requirement. It grows in sand, loam or improved clay, but not in ground that stays wet. On heavy soil, plant on a low mound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Weekly through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. A light dressing of controlled release fertiliser in early spring keeps the colour strong; overfeeding just makes soft, floppy leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrooming.\u003c\/strong\u003e Do not shear it. Pull dead leaves out from the base by hand, since a leaf cut halfway never regrows its tip. Lift and divide every four or five years if the centre thins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one is sold as tube stock. Tubes are young plants, usually two or three fans of leaves, and they travel extremely well, which is what makes them the value choice for a long border or a mass planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a plant filling a 300mm pot within a season and reaching full size in about two years. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95,. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eDesigning with ornamental grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eBrowse the grasses and strappy leaf range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eSalt tolerant plants for coastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eMore plants that thrive in containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many do I need for a border?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne every 60cm. At that spacing ten plants cover about 6m of edge and close into a continuous band of foliage within two seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in Brisbane or the tropics?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot reliably. Phormiums resent long humid summers and tend to rot at the crown, so they are best kept to warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely, and the flowers are insignificant when they appear. Buy it for the foliage colour, which is the whole point of this selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big a pot does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e400mm wide is comfortable for a single plant long term, with free draining mix and a working drainage hole. Repot or divide every four or five years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":51647789957439,"sku":"PHO-BRO-BAB-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":55100491628863,"sku":"PHO-BRO-BAB-140MM-P10","price":246.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":55100491596095,"sku":"PHO-BRO-BAB-200MM-P6","price":252.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Phormium-Bronze-Baby-Phormium-Bronze-Baby.png?v=1794662948"},{"product_id":"chocomint-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax","title":"Chocomint Mist™ New Zealand Flax - Phormium tenax 'PHOS4'","description":"\u003cp\u003eChocomint Mist New Zealand Flax (\u003cem\u003ePhormium tenax\u003c\/em\u003e 'PHOS4') is a very compact flax with strappy leaves striped in minty green and chocolate brown. It grows to only 40cm high and 40cm wide, so it gives the foliage contrast of the big flaxes in a plant that fits a pot, a low border or the front of a bed. Bred by Ozbreed for year round colour, it holds that foliage through heavy frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour contrast every day of the year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The green and brown leaves do the work that flowers do in other plants, with no season off.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTruly small.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 40cm it never swamps a border or a pot the way a full sized flax does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTakes heavy frost.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cold southern winters do not mark the foliage, so it suits Tasmania, Victoria and the tablelands.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy in a pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact roots and a tidy outline make it a reliable patio plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSimple maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pull away old leaves as they fade and cut back by half every two to five years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow borders and edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart, three to five plants per linear metre, along a path or the front of a bed for an unbroken band of striped foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 30cm to 35cm apart, six to ten plants per square metre, it fills the gaps between larger shrubs and reads as a single sheet of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers and patio pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e One plant fills a 300mm pot, and the chocolate tones sit well against terracotta, concrete and white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Chocomint Mist New Zealand Flax in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. It performs best in cool temperate and Mediterranean climates: Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and New South Wales from Sydney south. In Sydney it wants a shaded position and irrigation, except in coastal gardens where it takes full sun. It is not suited to north of Sydney or to Queensland, where summer heat and humidity wear it down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates a wide range of soils but prefers free draining ground. On heavy clay, raise the bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, and give it water through summer every year, because this is one flax that does not like to bake dry. Mulch with a chunky mulch but keep it off the base of the plant, and never bury the crown. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove older leaves as they brown. Every two to five years, cut the whole clump back to half its height to renew it; a cut every two years keeps it at its best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Chocomint Mist New Zealand Flax in 200mm pots in packs of 6, well grown plants that already show their full colour and fill a border or a row of pots straight away. Flax travels well, since the leaves are tough and the roots are fibrous. Expect new leaves from the centre of the clump within a few weeks in the warmer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eBrowse our grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ozbreed\"\u003eSee the full Ozbreed range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eMore plants that suit pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eOther frost hardy plants for cold gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in Queensland?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a plant for Sydney and south, and even in Sydney it needs shade and summer water away from the coast. Further north the humidity and heat wear it down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely, and the foliage is the point. If a flower spike does appear, cut it off at the base once it fades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the outer leaves browning?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlder leaves brown and die off naturally; pull them away at the base. If the browning is at the tips of young leaves in summer, the plant is dry and wants a deep soak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67786501816639,"sku":"PHO-TEN-200MM-P6","price":313.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/chocomint-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax.jpg?v=1792139544"},{"product_id":"sweet-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax","title":"Sweet Mist® New Zealand Flax - Phormium tenax 'PHOS2' PBR","description":"\u003cp\u003eSweet Mist New Zealand Flax (\u003cem\u003ePhormium tenax\u003c\/em\u003e 'PHOS2') is a dwarf bronze flax that stays at about 400mm high and 400mm wide, which makes it one of the most compact phormiums you can buy. The upright bronze leaves give the colour contrast of a full sized flax at a size that fits a low border or a patio pot, and Ozbreed selected it because it is tougher and cleaner in leaf than the older dwarf bronze forms. It is a cool climate plant: at home from Sydney south, not a choice for Queensland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBronze colour at a small scale.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep bronze foliage holds its colour year round and contrasts with silver, lime and green plantings in a modern garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely compact.\u003c\/strong\u003e 400mm in both directions keeps it in proportion in a narrow bed or a pot, where larger flaxes outgrow the space in two years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCleaner foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e It holds fewer dead and tattered leaves than older dwarf bronze flaxes, so it looks tidy with less grooming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It takes frost in its stride, which suits Tasmania, the tablelands and the Victorian and South Australian inland.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA fill in plant that stays put.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it to plug gaps between shrubs and tussocks knowing it will not swamp its neighbours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow borders and mass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 35cm apart (six to ten a square metre) in blocks, or 30cm apart in a single row along a path, where the bronze reads as a solid band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers and patio pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e One plant fills a 300mm pot with upright colour and the compact habit keeps it in balance for years. It suits a courtyard with morning sun and afternoon shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFill in planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuck it between larger shrubs and strappy plants for a bronze accent that never needs holding back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Sweet Mist New Zealand Flax in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed recommends it for Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and New South Wales no further north than Sydney, so it suits cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens and not Queensland or the humid north coast. In Sydney it needs a shaded position and irrigation, except on the coast, where like the species it handles full sun and salt wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide range of soils, with free draining soil preferred. Plant with the crown at the surface and mulch with a chunky mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water as required for the first 8 to 13 weeks and expect to water through summer every year; it tolerates moderate dry spells, not hard drought. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pull or cut out older leaves as they brown. Every five to seven years cut the clump back to half its height in late winter; every five keeps it at its best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Sweet Mist New Zealand Flax in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. The 140mm plants suit a long border or a mass planting; the 200mm plants already show their bronze fan and look finished in pots straight away. Flax travels well, since the leaves are tough and upright, and establishes through its first season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ozbreed\"\u003eSee the full Ozbreed range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eMore grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-small-gardens\"\u003ePlants for small gardens and courtyards\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eFrost hardy plants for cold gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in Queensland?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Ozbreed does not recommend it north of Sydney or anywhere in Queensland, where humidity and summer rain rot the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely. Dwarf flaxes seldom flower and the foliage is the feature, so do not expect the tall flower spikes of the full sized species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much water does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a lomandra. Keep it watered through its first 8 to 13 weeks and through each summer, especially in Sydney and dry inland areas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67786565484863,"sku":"PHO-TEN-140MM-P10","price":299.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67786566172991,"sku":"PHO-TEN-200MM-P6","price":313.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/sweet-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax.jpg?v=1792139721"},{"product_id":"green-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax","title":"Green Mist™ New Zealand Flax - Phormium tenax 'PHOS6' PBR Intended","description":"\u003cp\u003eGreen Mist New Zealand Flax (\u003cem\u003ePhormium tenax\u003c\/em\u003e 'PHOS6') is a compact green flax bred by Ozbreed to cope with the humidity, heat and wet that defeat many flaxes. It stays at about 400mm high and 400mm wide, a tidy clump of clean green foliage that sets off bronze and silver plantings without outgrowing its bed. It is a green mutation of Sweet Mist and shares that plant's compact form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTougher than the bronze flaxes.\u003c\/strong\u003e It was bred for better tolerance of heat, drought, humidity and wet conditions than bronze cultivars, and green leaf photosynthesises more efficiently, which supports healthier growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProven in hard trials.\u003c\/strong\u003e In western Sydney it came through repeated floods, 40 degree heat and prolonged humidity, conditions in which other phormium cultivars failed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and tidy.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 400mm in both directions it fits borders and mixed beds where a full sized flax would take over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreen that contrasts.\u003c\/strong\u003e The clean green leaf is a fresh foil for bronze, burgundy and silver foliage in mixed plantings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA responsible choice.\u003c\/strong\u003e No seeding has been observed in over 20 years, so it poses minimal risk of escaping into bushland.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass and mixed planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart, about six plants per square metre, and the clumps join as they mature. Closer planting also suppresses weeds, so a dense block needs little hand weeding once it fills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and structure.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a single row along a path or drive, plants 30cm apart form a continuous band of upright foliage that gives a bed its backbone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside and coastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ozbreed lists both among its uses, and the plant performs in coastal and inland sites alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBanks and erosion control.\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted close on a slope, the dense clumps help hold the soil in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Green Mist New Zealand Flax in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed recommends it for New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and it has performed in Sydney, Melbourne and across New Zealand, including through frost in trials. It is not yet listed for Queensland, so treat it as untested in the subtropics and tropics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e It coped with flooding in trials, so it handles heavy or wet ground better than most flaxes, though well drained soil still gives the best growth. Mulch with a chunky mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly while it settles in through its first summer. Once established it needs little attention beyond a deep soak in a long dry spell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very little. Pull off browned leaves as they appear. If a clump tires, cut it back and feed it with a slow release fertiliser, and it rejuvenates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Green Mist New Zealand Flax in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is grown to order at times, so a size can show as backorder. Order it and we confirm timing with you before anything ships. Flax leaves are tough and travel upright; expect a short pause after planting, then new growth as the weather warms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eMore grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ozbreed\"\u003eSee the full Ozbreed range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003ePlants that suit poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mass-planting-plants\"\u003ePlants for mass planting\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in Queensland?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOzbreed has not yet listed it for Queensland, so we cannot recommend it there. It is proven in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is it different from Sweet Mist?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compact form is the same. Green Mist has green leaf instead of bronze, and was bred to handle heat, humidity and wet better than the bronze cultivars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it seed around the garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOzbreed has seen no seeding in over 20 years, so it stays where you plant it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":67787114348863,"sku":"PHO-TEN-140MM-P10","price":230.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6) (Backorder)","offer_id":67787114414399,"sku":"PHO-TEN-200MM-P6","price":288.45,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/green-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax.jpg?v=1792146143"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/collections\/sweet-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax.jpg?v=1794696282","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/collections\/nz-flax.oembed","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}