Phormium

Phormiums form shapely domes of broad, upright or arching, sword-like leaves ranging in colour from yellow-green to bronze-purple. The leaves are often striped or edged with cream, yellow, pink or red. Mature clumps produce tall stems carrying curious-looking yellow-green or red flowers in summer.

They are happy in most free-draining soils and in full sun. In northern parts of the UK, plant in sheltered, sunny position.

Phormiums may be slow to establish in very light, dry soils. On wet soils, the roots can suffer in the winter months. The leaves can also be severely damage by hard frost, so winter protection may be needed in cold snaps.

Though sometimes offered for sale as shrubs, phormiums are actually evergreen perennials from New Zealand and were grown as a source of fibre for traditional Maori textiles and rope making.