They grow in any well drained soil, in sun or partial shade and can look particularly effective when grown in containers. These plants are all drought resistant and are best planted on a slope or mound in heavy soil conditions. Avoid planting too deeply, which can result in the crowns rotting.

To keep the plants looking at their best, cut off old leaves at their base in Spring and remove any shoots that are reverting to an unwanted colour. Although rarely grown for their flowers, these can be striking and useful in large flower arrangements along with the large seed heads and the foliage.

The only serious pests to attack these plants outside are slugs and any occasional mealy bug attacks can be controlled with sprays.

Phormium tenax , the coastal flax is the larger and more common of the two species.

An outstanding compact variety. It has cream leaves flushed apricot when young,

maturing light creamy yellow margined with green and bronze. The whole leaf has an

apricot flush and the plant grows into a low weeping form of about 75 cms x 75 cms.

BRONZE BABY

Foliage coloured bronze above, slightly glaucous beneath, usually straight or spreading with

curving tips. Strong grower. 75 cms x 75 cms.

Compact grower, gracefully arching foliage, with broad cream band, narrowly striped green

towards the edges, finely margined deep mahogany red. 75cms x 75 cms.

Excellent compact variety with slender erect green leaves with cream margins on both

DUSKY PRINCESS

Our own variety. Forms a large striking mounded clump of very dark purple arching

leaves. 1.5 mt x 1mt.

 EVENING GLOW

A newer graceful and arching compact cultivar with glossy red foliage margined deeper

red. Excellent specimen, ideal for containers or small gardens 70 cms x 70 cms.

FIREBIRD

A strong erect grower. Broad leaves with deep reddish bronze purplish centre and vivid

red margins. Outstanding vibrant colour and personality. 1.5 mt x 1 mt.

GOLD SWORD

Broad stiff bright golden yellow leaves banded green. Sturdy appearance. 1 mt x 1 mt

GOLDEN RAY

Good upright clump forming variety. Fine golden yellow striped leaves with green centres

and bronze margins. 1.2 mt x 75 cms

JACK SPRATT

Minature very compact grower. Erect narrow delicate reddish brown leaves. Excellent for

containers , rock gardens hanging baskets. 30 cms x 30 cms

JESTER

LIMELIGHT

Clear green, one coloured leaves with a hint of lime. Soft upright grower. Very disease

resistant. 1.5 mtrs x 1.3 mtrs.

MAHOGANY

New variety with erect dark mahogany leaves . An imposing plant to contrast with paler

surrounding foliage. 1.2 mt x 1 mt.

PHOENIX

Our latest variety. Erect dark mahogany leaves with a brilliant crimson stripe. 1mt x 1mt

PINK PANTHER

Arching pink variegated leaves with red bronze margins. 75cms x 75 cms

PINK STRIPE

Large upright variety from South Africa. Rich coppery grey green leaves edged with

vibrant pink. 1.5 mt x 1 mt

PLATT'S BLACK

Rich black / very deep chocolate coloured leaves and compact clumping growth habit.

Holds colour well. Excellent contrast amongst lighter shades. 75 cms x 90 cms.

RAINBOW CHIEF (syn. Maori Chief)

Forms a bold clump of ascending leaves which arch at the tips. Striking rich bronze and

scarlet leaves. 1 mt x 1 mt.

RAINBOW MAIDEN (syn. Maori Maiden)

Delicate weeping leaves, in rich rosy salmon pink to coral red, banded with bronze

margins. Suitable for tubs and baskets. 75 cms x 75 cms.

RAINBOW QUEEN (syn. Maori Queen)

Broad upstanding foliage gracefully curving at the tips, bronzy green with rosy red stripes.

1.20 mt x 1.0 mt.

RAINBOW SUNRISE (syn. Maori Sunrise)

A small upright cultivar with fine slender leaves, light red to strong orange shades

edged with bronze. Suitable for containers. 70 cms x 70 cms.

Strong erect vigorous grower with broad leaves, coppery red with pink margins fading to

cream, flushed pink at maturity. 1.5 mtrs x 1 mtr.

Large erect grower, leaves basically bronze overlaid with pastel shades of gold and

apricot pink with green stripes and margins. Valued for floral decorations. 1.5 mt x 1 mt.

tenax ( NEW ZEALAND FLAX)

One of the parent plants for all the more colourful cultivars. Extremely vigorous with greyish green sword leaves. Usually grown from seed. Tenax means strong & tough. 2 mt x 2 mt.

TRICOLOR

Outstanding form with broad gracefully arching leaves, rich green with broad cream edge,

outlined with conspicuous red margins. 1 mt x 1 mt.

YELLOW WAVE