{"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","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/chocomint-mist-new-zealand-flax-phormium-tenax","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}