Phormium 'Gold Sword' (Flax lily 'Gold Sword')

Botanical name

Phormium 'Gold Sword'

Other names

Flax lily 'Gold Sword', New Zealand flax 'Gold Sword'

Genus

Phormium Phormium

Variety or Cultivar

'Gold Sword' _ 'Gold Sword' is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial with leathery, upright, sword-shaped, bronze-green and creamy-gold variegated leaves.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent in Summer

Foliage

Variegated, Golden-yellow, Cream, Bronze-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Phormium mealybug

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Propagation methods

Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Phormium 'Gold Sword' (Flax lily 'Gold Sword') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Containers, Foliage only, Gravel, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grow in moist, well-drained, fertile soil in full sun, will also tolerate partial shade although colours are more intense in sun. 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.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Phormium 'Gold Sword' (Flax lily 'Gold Sword')

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/