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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Phormium colensoi] |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Phormium cookianum (Mountain Flax) - This New Zealand Flax species grows to 4-5 feet tall with wide spreading 2 1/2 inch wide olive-green leaves that arch gracefully. This is the parent that gives the arch to many of the hybrids. Yellowish-orange flowers bloom on long spikes that, unlike the vertical flower spikes of Phormium tenax, angle out from the plant's crown. The seed pods, looking like long black bean pods, are decorative and can weigh the inflorescence back nearly to the ground. Seed pods are useful in large flower arrangements. Plant in full sun to shade. This Phormium can tolerate fairly dry conditions (coastal) but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation. Hardy to 15-20 F. It is possibly root hardy below these temperatures but does suffer severe foliage damage unless protected. This is a very nice large understory shade plant. In our garden is even grows well under the heavy shade of a large Citrus Tree.
This information about Phormium cookianum displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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