Overview

Phormium tenax 'Smiling Morn' 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 'Smiling Morn' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include ornamental, borders and containers. It is native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

About

Phormium tenax 'Smiling Morn' is an evergreen perennial that reaches around 3.0 m and provides strong vertical presence. It is native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island and flowers in the UK from June to August. The plant prefers a sunny position and tolerates a range of soils from sandy to clay. It is suited to ornamental uses, borders and containers.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Phormium tenax

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 'Smiling Morn' is an evergreen perennial in the Asphodelaceae family, native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. Plants form a substantial clump and can reach approximately 3.0 m in height, giving clear architectural impact where space allows. Flowering occurs in the UK between June and August, when taller flower shoots rise above the foliage. Give this cultivar a sunny, open position; full sun is indicated for best performance. It accepts a broad range of soils — sandy, loamy or clay — and is comfortable with moist but well-drained sites as well as wetter ground. Hardiness is H4, which translates to average UK winter tolerance, and it is also suitable for USDA zones 8–10 where winters are milder. Use Phormium tenax 'Smiling Morn' as an ornamental focal point, as a structural element within mixed borders, or in large containers where its vertical habit can be contained. Plant with adequate room for the mature height and plan for the June–August flowering season when the tall floral stems will add extra height and form above the leaf clump.

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 'Smiling Morn' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Evergreen perennial

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

3.0 m

Suggested uses

Ornamental, Borders, Containers

Native to

New Zealand, Norfolk Island

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Phormium tenax 'Smiling Morn'

Cultivation

Prefers moist but well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils; plant in full sun for best foliage color.

Pruning

Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance; cut back flower stalks after blooming.

Propagation

Division of clumps in spring or autumn.

Frequently asked questions