Phormium tenax “Taya”

New Zealand Flax
Phormium tenax “Taya”
Type: Evergreen Perennial
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular

As the common name suggests, phormiums are native to New Zealand, although they not a true flax (linum); they are instead related to daylillies.

This particular cultivar is prized for its rich purple leaves which grow to form 3in (7.5cm) wide, glossy, tapering straps. As the leaves mature, they change slightly from purple, through deep wine red and end up a brownish purple; the combination of all these shades lends the plant depth and a bit of color variation. The undersides of the leaves are a lighter, silvery purple. This one will reach 4ft (1.2m) tall by 3ft (90cm) wide with a graceful, arching habit. Phormiums, particularly the larger ones, make a striking structural accent in the garden, and work equally well in a mixed border or an ornamental grass planting, where they’re often used as a visual “anchor.”

There seems to be some different opinions around about how much cold phormiums can handle. According to PFAF (Plants for a Future), they are frost hardy and are suitable for growing here in zone USDA 8. On the other hand, Sunset’s Western Garden Book (an invaluable resource) shows them as being borderline here, sometimes freezing to the ground to regrow from the roots. When in doubt, ask the local experts, or play it safe and wrap your plant if temperatures dip lower than usual.

How about you? Have you had a NZ Flax that fell victim to the cold? Let us know!

Cheers,

John