Botanical name:

Phormium tenax ‘purpureum’

Common name(s):

Purple flax

About:

A large flax plant forming robust clumps of broad, striking purple leaves. This species is traditionally significant as a vital material for weaving and various forms of fibre production. It serves as an excellent choice for providing low shelter and effectively controlling erosion in various landscapes. The beautiful red seeds, which appear from January to March, along with the nectar produced from December to January, are very attractive to a variety of native birds and beneficial bees. Flax is known as a vigorous grower that tolerates a wide range of sites, including swampy areas and coastal environments, making it a versatile addition to any garden or natural setting.

Natural habitat:

Common from lowland and coastal areas to montane forest, usually but not exclusively, in wetlands and in open ground along riversides.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Salt, Wetland, Wind, Coastal, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Indigenous to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. Many botanists feel that plants from the Chatham Islands could be distinguished at species rank from the mainland New Zealand species, other distinctive variants occur on the Three Kings and outer Hauraki Gulf Islands, and along the Kaikoura coast. Norfolk Island plants though uniform differ in subtle ways from the New Zealand forms of P. tenax.

Height: 3.5m

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.

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