Phormium 'Gold Ray' (Flax lily 'Gold Ray')

Botanical name

Phormium 'Gold Ray'

Other names

Flax lily 'Gold Ray', New Zealand flax 'Gold Ray', Phormium 'Golden Ray'

Genus

Phormium Phormium

Variety or Cultivar

'Gold Ray' _ 'Gold Ray' is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial bearing broad, linear, upright to pendulous, leathery, mid-green leaves with creamy-yellow margins and orange-red edges. On occasion, and only when plants are mature, panicles of tubular, yellow flowers bloom on erect, leafless stems in summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Arching, Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Variegated, Striped, Pale-yellow, Mid-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 'Gold Ray' (Flax lily 'Gold Ray') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m 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.

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

Exposed, 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 'Gold Ray' (Flax lily 'Gold Ray')

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/