Phormium tenax Purpureum Group (New Zealand flax Purpureum Group)

Botanical name

Phormium tenax Purpureum Group

Other names

New Zealand flax Purpureum Group, Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum', Phormium tenax 'Purpureum', Phormium atropurpureum, Phormium tenax 'Purpurea'

Genus

Phormium Phormium

Variety or Cultivar

Purpureum Group _ Purpureum Group is a vigorous, clump-forming, evergreen perennial with strap-shaped, purple to bronze leaves and large panicles of tubular, red flowers in summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

Dark-red in Summer

Foliage

Dark-purple, Bronze 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 tenax Purpureum Group (New Zealand flax Purpureum Group) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

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

Cultivation

Grow moist, well-drained, fertile soil in full sun, will also 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 tenax Purpureum Group (New Zealand flax Purpureum Group)

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/