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Phormium tenax 'Bronze'

New Zealand flax 'Bronze'

A tough and robust evergreen perennial to 2m tall, with upright and arching, sword-shaped, reddish-bronze leaves. In summer mature plants may produce a tall flowerspike bearing tubular red flowers

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Bronze Red
Summer Red Bronze Red
Autumn Bronze Red
Winter Bronze Red
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Asphodelaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Phormium are evergreen perennials, making a large clump of leathery, strap-shaped leaves, with tall panicles of small, tubular flowers in summer

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Established plants are drought-resistant. See Phormium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to phormium mealybug

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

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