Overview

Phormium 'Bronze Baby' is a perennial in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family. Phormium 'Bronze Baby' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soil soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, containers and architectural planting.

About

Phormium 'Bronze Baby' is a perennial cultivar of the Phormium genus, which belongs to the Asphodelaceae family and includes species native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. This cultivar thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is hardy in the UK to H5 and can be grown in both sheltered and exposed positions. Suitable for borders, containers, and architectural planting, 'Bronze Baby' benefits from the removal of old or damaged leaves to maintain its appearance and can be propagated by division.

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 moisture

moist, well-drained

Exposure

sheltered to exposed

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Phormium 'Bronze Baby' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

perennial

Suggested uses

borders, containers, architectural planting

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Phormium 'Bronze Baby'

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade; drought tolerant once established.

Pruning

Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.

Propagation

Division

Frequently asked questions