Phormium 'Maori Chief' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

flax lily 'Maori Chief'

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Synonyms

Phormium 'Rainbow Chief'

Shrubs

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A strong, hardy, clump-forming evergreen perennial with arching, strap-like variegated pink and bronze leaves. Tall spikes of orange-red flowers appear in the summer. Leaf colours become more striking in sunlight

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–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. See phormium cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Dead or damaged leaves may be removed in the spring

Pests

May be susceptible to phormium mealybug

Diseases

Maybe susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)