Phormiums: The Rising Star of Landscape Design
Ask any horticultural expert for a list of up-and-coming plants, and phormiums are likely to top it. Heralded by some as “the plant of the decade,” phormiums are in hot demand by landscape designers and home gardeners alike.
In the last five years, these easy-to-grow plants with striking, colorful foliage have gone from being obscure collectors’ items to stars of home and commercial gardens, said Randy Baldwin, general manager at San Marcos Growers in Santa Barbara—a wholesale grower that propagates, develops, and sells phormiums to Orange County nurseries.
“The requests for phormiums are incredible,” said Baldwin. “We are always scrambling to fill demand. Last year alone we sold 20,000 plants.”
Also known as New Zealand flax, these plants are available at various local nurseries. However, supplies may be limited and change frequently. You can also ask your local nursery to order specific types from wholesale growers.
What Makes Phormiums Special?
Though some varieties flower, phormiums are best known for their striking foliage. These evergreen perennial accent plants have bold, sword-like leaves that resemble oversized iris foliage.
Color Variety
The foliage comes in an impressive array of colors:
- Pale cream
- Amber
- Bright gold-yellow
- Pink, salmon, apricot
- Brilliant red, orange
- Bronze, scarlet, maroon, and purple-black
Some phormiums are solid-colored while others have beautiful striping or colored edges.
Garden Compatibility
Phormiums blend well with most landscape styles and are especially suited for:
- Mediterranean gardens
- Tropical-style gardens
“Phormiums soften up the edges in a tropical garden,” said Gary Matsuoka of Laguna Hills Nursery. “They pair well with hibiscus and require less maintenance than agapanthus and daylilies.”
Species and Sizes
- Phormium tenax: Upright form, reaches 8–9 feet tall. Commonly found in green, bronze, and maroon shades. Very drought tolerant.
- Phormium cookianum (Mountain flax): More compact, 4–5 feet tall with arching foliage. Offers a soft, grassy look.
Hybrids of these two species offer the most vibrant colors and a mix of upright and arching growth forms.
Sizes range from tiny ‘Thumbelina’ at 5–6 inches to the towering ‘Sundowner’ at 8 feet tall. Leaf widths vary from half an inch to 4 inches, and some varieties have variegated leaves.
Flowers
- P. tenax: Reddish-orange flowers, about 2 inches long.
- P. cookianum: Yellow-green flowers, around 1 inch long.
- Hybrids: Rarely flower.
Durability and Adaptability
Don’t be fooled by their elegant appearance—phormiums are tough. They stand up well to salt spray and thrive in coastal climates. Some P. tenax can even handle wet soils if their crown remains above the soil line. In Latin, “tenax” means sturdy.
“In the ground, phormiums are drought resistant and seem nearly indestructible,” says Matsuoka. “They also do well in containers, as long as you don’t let them dry out. If they dry out, they’ll rot when watered again.”
Generally, P. cookianum and hybrids are not quite as tough as P. tenax, but they’re still hardy plants.
A Brief History
Native to New Zealand, phormiums were first cultivated by the Maori people around 1200. They used the fibrous leaves to make baskets, mats, and household items.
In 1773, Captain James Cook encountered phormium during his voyage to the South Pacific. European settlers later exported it in bulk to Britain, as its fibers were among the strongest known.
The botanical name Phormium comes from the Greek word phormos, meaning basket.
In the 1950s and ’60s, architect Thomas Church brought them into fashion in California gardens. Interest waned in the following decades, only to be reignited in the mid-1980s with the introduction of colorful new hybrids.
Tips for Growing Phormiums
- Choose a sunny location: More sun means richer foliage color.
- Protect delicate varieties: Drooping-leaf types can suffer from sunburn. Place them in filtered light or shield them from harsh midday sun.
- Avoid planting in walkways: Their long, arching leaves can be tripping hazards, warns Baldwin.
