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Products > Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor'   Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor' - New Zealand Flax Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.   [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Perennial Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Yellow/Chartreuse Foliage: Yes Variegated Foliage: Yes Flower Color: Insignificant Bloomtime: Spring/Summer Synonyms: [P. colensoi 'Tricolor'] Height: 3-4 feet Width: 3-4 feet Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade Seaside: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide with bold 2 1/2 inch wide arching leaves that have a broad central green band surrounded by yellow stripes and red margins. Plant in full sun to shade. It can tolerate fairly dry conditions (coastal) but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation. This cultivar is particularly noted as being tolerant of water-logged conditions. Hardy to 15-20 F. It is possibly root hardy below these temperatures but can suffer severe foliage damage unless protected. It has been a popular hybrid since it was popularized in New Zealand in the 1950's. It is stable. A sport of this plant is the similar cultivar 'Cream Delight' which has more cream, less green and the red edge is less pronounced. Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor' was discovered in 1888 on the banks of the Wainuiora River and is considered to be a cultivar of Phormium cookianum ssp. hookeri. This plant was sold as early as 1939 by Duncan and Davies Nursery.  The information provided on this page is based on research we have conducted about this plant in our nursery's library, from what we have found about it on reliable online sources, as well as from observations in our nursery of crops of this plant as well as of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens. We will also incorporate comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if it includes cultural information that would aid others in growing  Phormium cookianum 'Tricolor'.     [MORE INFO]