Overview

Phormium colensoi 'Emerald Green' is a clump forming shrubs in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Phormium colensoi 'Emerald Green' 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

Phormium colensoi 'Emerald Green' is a cultivar of Phormium, a genus of evergreen perennial shrubs known for their dense clumps of thick, strap-like foliage. This cultivar forms clumps of vibrant green leaves and thrives in full sun across various aspects and exposures, including exposed and sheltered sites. It prefers fertile, well-drained loam or sandy soils with a range of pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is suitable for architectural planting, city and courtyard gardens, gravel gardens, coastal areas, and low-maintenance flower borders. It flowers in spring and summer, producing elongated panicles with small tubular flowers.

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 'Emerald Green' 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 'Emerald Green'

Propagation

Seed sown in spring, Division in spring

Pest resistance

Phormium mealybug

Disease resistance

Honey fungus (rarely)

Frequently asked questions