Overview
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' is a clump forming perennial in the genus Phormium, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Phormium 'Yellow Wave' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soil soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, containers and architectural plantings. It is native to New Zealand.
About
An evergreen perennial with long, arching, strap-like leaves that are bright yellow with green margins, forming a clump.
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
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- moist, well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- sheltered to exposed
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- borders, containers, architectural plantings
- Native to
- New Zealand
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Phormium 'Yellow Wave'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade; 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 'Yellow Wave'?
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade; drought tolerant once established.
Where is the best place to plant Phormium 'Yellow Wave'?
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered to exposed positions.
What soil does Phormium 'Yellow Wave' need?
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' grows best in well-drained soil soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist to well-drained.
How do I prune Phormium 'Yellow Wave'?
Remove old or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
Is Phormium 'Yellow Wave' hardy in the UK?
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Phormium 'Yellow Wave'?
Division.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- On YellowA new RHS colour survey suggests yellow is back in fashion. But from Dixter’s giant fennel to Sissinghurst’s Cottage Garden, it never went anywhere.
- 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.
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