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Products > Phormium cookianum 'Emerald Gem'   Phormium cookianum 'Emerald Gem' - Dwarf Green New Zealand Flax Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.     Habit and Cultural Information Category: Perennial Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Yellow Bloomtime: Summer Synonyms: [P. colensoi 'Emerald Gem'] Height: 1-2 feet Width: 2-3 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F Phormium cookianum 'Emerald Gem' (Dwarf Green New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax dwarf cultivar that grows only to 2 feet tall with narrow upright bright green foliage and a reliable late spring flowering. The flowers, typical of P. cookianum are yellow but rise more vertically to exert themselves from the foliage mass. 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. Possibly root hardy below these temperatures but can suffer severe foliage damage unless protected. A great small hedge or edging for a border planting. This plant was first spotted growing as median plant in Auckland, New Zealand. An entire section of the road was devoted to these beauties and all are in full bloom in late spring. We grew this plant form 2001 until 2003 but found that it reverted to a large form and discontinued growing it.  This information about Phormium cookianum 'Emerald Gem' displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.     [MORE INFO]