Overview
Phormium colensoi is a clump forming shrubs in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Phormium colensoi grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include architectural, city and courtyard gardens, gravel garden, coastal, low maintenance and flower borders and beds.
About
It is less common than the other Phormium species, P. tenax or harakeke. The greenish, yellow or orange flowers are followed by twisted seed pods. Mountain flax is also known as whararipi, whatariki, mangaeka, kōrari tuauru (Williams 1971), wauraki (Bell 1890 sic.), coastal flax, hill flax and lesser New Zealand flax. Grow it in full sun and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). It works well for architectural, city and courtyard gardens, gravel garden, coastal, low maintenance and flower borders and beds. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing, west-facing and north-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Phormium colensoi
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
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Phormium colensoi size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Coastal, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Phormium colensoi
- Propagation
- Seed sown in spring, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Phormium mealybug
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Phormium colensoi?
Phormium colensoi prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Phormium colensoi need?
Phormium colensoi grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Phormium colensoi hardy in the UK?
Phormium colensoi has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Phormium colensoi?
Seed sown in spring, Division in spring.
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