Botanical name:

Phormium cookianum purpureum

Common name(s):

Purple mountain Flax, Purple Flax

About:

A native New Zealand flax, known for its distinctive drooping and twisted seed pods, features beautiful purple, wide, weeping leaves that add to its charm. The impressive, large root system of this plant makes it excellent for erosion control, particularly on banks and bunds, helping to stabilise the soil effectively. Additionally, it serves as a fantastic and vital food source for a variety of native birds, supporting local wildlife in their natural habitat.

Natural habitat:

Strictly confined to subalpine, alpine situations.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Drought, Salt, Wetland, Wind & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Common in the South Island, in subalpine/alpine situations. Scarce in North Island where only known from high alpine situations in the Tararua Ranges, and possible elsewhere within the central axial ranges.

Height: 2.5m

Flowering:

(September-) October-November (-January) with a red/pink or yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

(November) December - March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings.

How to grow:

Very easy from fresh seed. Most commonly grown by the division of rooted fans from established plants. Slow to establish and slow growing.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though