Overview
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' is a clump-forming perennial in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Phormium 'Apricot Queen' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soil soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, architectural feature and containers. It is native to New Zealand.
About
An evergreen perennial with long, sword-shaped leaves that are apricot-orange with red and yellow tones, forming a striking architectural clump.
About the genus
Phormium is a genus of two plant species in the family Asphodelaceae. One species is endemic to New Zealand and the other is native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. The two species are widely known in New Zealand as flax or their Māori names wharariki and harakeke respectively, and elsewhere as New Zealand flax or flax lily, but they are not closely related to the Northern Hemisphere's flax, which is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and has been used by humans since 30,000 B.C.
Wikipedia contributors, "Phormium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Phormium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Phormium
- Sunlight
- full sun, partial shade
- Soil type
- well-drained soil
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- moist, well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- sheltered to exposed
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- borders, architectural feature, containers
- Native to
- New Zealand
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Phormium 'Apricot Queen'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and a sunny position; tolerates coastal conditions; protect from severe frost.
- Pruning
- Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
- Propagation
- Division in spring or autumn.
- Pest resistance
- Phormium mealybug
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Phormium 'Apricot Queen'?
Prefers well-drained soil and a sunny position; tolerates coastal conditions; protect from severe frost.
Where is the best place to plant Phormium 'Apricot Queen'?
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered to exposed positions.
What soil does Phormium 'Apricot Queen' need?
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' grows best in well-drained soil soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist to well-drained.
How do I prune Phormium 'Apricot Queen'?
Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
Is Phormium 'Apricot Queen' hardy in the UK?
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Phormium 'Apricot Queen'?
Division in spring or autumn.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Phormium genus
- Phormium cookianumMountain flax
- Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor'Tricolor New Zealand Flax
- Phormium cookianum 'Variegatum'Variegated mountain flax
- Phormium tenaxNew Zealand flax
- Phormium tenax 'Aurora'New Zealand Flax 'Aurora'
- Phormium tenax 'Bronze Baby'Bronze Baby New Zealand Flax
- Phormium tenax 'Dazzler'New Zealand Flax
- Phormium tenax 'Goliath'New Zealand Flax