Phormium (any variety) (Flax lily (any variety))

Botanical name

Phormium (any variety)

Other names

Flax lily (any variety), New Zealand flax (any variety)

Genus

Phormium Phormium

Variety or Cultivar

Phormium (any variety) _ If you don't know the variety name of your Phormium (Flax lily), you can add this plant to your lists to get care advice.

Phormium (any variety) are clump-forming, evergreen perennials with erect to arching, leathery, strap-shaped leaves, often with attractive colours or variegation, and tall panicles of small, tubular flowers in summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Yellow-green, Red, Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Bronze-green, Variegated, Flushed orange, Striped, Flushed purple, Red, Flushed red, Pink, Green, Yellow-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Phormium mealybug

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Cut faded flower stalks to the base. Remove dead or damaged leaves in spring.

Propagation methods

Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Phormium (any variety) (Flax lily (any variety)) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, City, Coastal, Beds and borders, Gravel, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate partial shade. Foliage may be damaged by cold winds and hard frosts. Apply a deep, dry mulch in winter. Many varieties are reluctant to flower in cultivation.

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Phormium (any variety) (Flax lily (any variety))

Common pest name

Australian grapevine yellows; Australian lucerne yellows; Australian yellows of grapevine

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense'

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Phytoplasma present in Australia and New Zealand which could be damaging to grapevine and strawberry production; in particular; if introduced to the UK. EU regulations help to mitigate the risk of entry.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/