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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Insignificant |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 4-6 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 'Firebird' (New Zealand Flax) - A beautiful New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows a full 5-6 feet tall with upright stiff 2 inch wide rose-red leaves with bronze-green margins. Red tones fade to a bronze-orange in summer. Plant in full sun to light shade. Can tolerate fairly dry conditions (coastal) but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation. Hardy to 15-20 F. Possibly root hardy below these temperatures but with severe foliage damage unless protected. We have been growing this colored flax from flax hybridizer Margaret Jones since 1990. It is a stable clone that does not have the foliage reversion problem that plagues some of the other colorful flaxes but does benefit from the annual removal of older faded foliage to enhance the look of the beautiful new foliage. Introduced in 1982 by Ms. Margaret Jones of New Zealand Flax Hybridizers in Tauranga, New Zealand.
The information presented on this page is based on research we have conducted about this plant in our library and from reliable online sources. We also consider observations of it growing in our nursery crops, as well as in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens we visit. We will incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they include cultural information that would aid others in growing Phormium 'Firebird'. |
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