Overview

Phormium tenax 'Nanum Purpureum' is a clump-forming shrubs in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen, leathery, strap-shaped leaves foliage. Phormium tenax 'Nanum Purpureum' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, gravel gardens and containers.

About

Phormium tenax is an evergreen perennial plant native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island that is an important fibre plant and a popular ornamental plant. The plant grows as a clump of long, straplike leaves, up to two metres long, from which arises a much taller flowering shoot, with dramatic yellow or red 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

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Phormium tenax 'Nanum Purpureum' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Clump-forming

Foliage

Evergreen, leathery, strap-shaped leaves

Suggested uses

Borders, gravel gardens, containers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Phormium tenax 'Nanum Purpureum'

Propagation

Division, seed

Pest resistance

Resistant to deer and rabbits

Disease resistance

Generally disease-resistant

Frequently asked questions