Phormium 'Black Adder'PBR

RHS Plant Profile
flax lily 'Black Adder'

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flax lily 'Black Adder' RHS
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An evergreen perennial forming a clump of upright to slightly arching, strap-shaped, dark reddish-purple leaves to 1.2m high and wide. Mature plants may produce panicles of red flowers in late simmer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 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 Partial shade
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
Bushy
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

Grows best in fertile well-drained soil in full sun. May need the protection of a deep, dry winter mulch in northern and frost prone areas

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Dead or damaged leaves may be removed in the spring

Pests

May be susceptible to phormium mealybug

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)