Overview
Phormium 'Jester' is a clump forming perennial in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Phormium 'Jester' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, containers and accent plant. It is native to New Zealand.
About
Phormium 'Jester' (Jester New Zealand Flax) is a perennial cultivar of the Phormium genus, which comprises two species native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. This plant thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil in a sheltered position. It is drought tolerant once established and is hardy to UK zone H4. Suitable for borders, containers, or as an accent plant, it 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 pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- moderate
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Phormium 'Jester' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- borders, containers, accent plant
- Native to
- New Zealand
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Phormium 'Jester'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position; drought tolerant once established.
- Pruning
- Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
- Propagation
- Division
- Pest resistance
- Phormium mealybug
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Phormium 'Jester'?
Prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position; drought tolerant once established.
Where is the best place to plant Phormium 'Jester'?
Phormium 'Jester' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Phormium 'Jester' need?
Phormium 'Jester' grows best in well-drained soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moderate.
How do I prune Phormium 'Jester'?
Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
Is Phormium 'Jester' hardy in the UK?
Phormium 'Jester' 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 'Jester'?
Division.
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