Overview

Phormium tenax 'Goliath' is a evergreen perennial in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 3.0 m tall. Phormium tenax 'Goliath' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. It is native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

About

Phormium tenax 'Goliath' is an evergreen perennial in the Asphodelaceae that forms a substantial clump and can reach about 3.0 m. It keeps its foliage year-round and flowers in the summer from June to August. Plant it in full sun on soils ranging from sandy to clay that are moist but well-drained or persistently wet. Its origins are New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

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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

In the garden

Phormium tenax 'Goliath' is a large evergreen perennial in the Asphodelaceae, originating from New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It grows into a substantial 3.0 m clump and produces summer blooms between June and August. The cultivar name 'Goliath' indicates its size rather than a different species. Position 'Goliath' in full sun for best display. It tolerates a range of soils — sandy, loamy or clay — provided they are moist but well drained, and it will also accept consistently wet ground. In the UK it corresponds to hardiness rating H4, which equates to average hardiness; for growers referencing US zones, it suits USDA 8–10. Use this Phormium where scale is required: at the back of a large mixed border, as a single specimen in a sizeable gravel or planted bed, or where an evergreen, upright perennial is needed to define space. Allow room for a mature clump when siting, since a planted group will quickly occupy several square metres as it reaches its 3.0 m height.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Phormium

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Wet

Exposure

Full sun

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Phormium tenax 'Goliath' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Evergreen perennial

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

3.0 m

Native to

New Zealand, Norfolk Island

Frequently asked questions