Overview

Phormium tenax 'Williamsii Variegatum' is a clump forming shrubs in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Phormium tenax 'Williamsii Variegatum' 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 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, 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 tenax 'Williamsii Variegatum' 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 tenax 'Williamsii Variegatum'

Propagation

Seed sown in spring, Division in spring

Pest resistance

Phormium mealybug

Disease resistance

Honey fungus (rarely)

Frequently asked questions