Phormium 'Crimson Devil'

RHS Plant Profile

flax lily 'Crimson Devil'

John Fielding

Shrubs

A clump-forming, upright evergreen perennial with narrow, upright, arching leaves that are bright red with a darker margin. Occasional pinkish-red flowers appear in the summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In frost prone areas, provide a deep, dry mulch in winter

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Prune winter damaged foliage to the ground in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to phormium mealybug

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)