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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [P. 'Rainbow Maiden, P. 'Maiden'] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Phormium 'Maori Maiden' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to 18 inches to 2 feet tall with slightly arching 1 1/2" wide apricot-pink to rose-red colored leaves with thin green margins. Plant in full sun to light shade - may sun burn in full sun in Southern California. 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. Can have foliage reversions that are bronze colored and grow more erect and taller than the pink foliage - trim off to maintain good color. This cultivar is the flax most prone to sun burn so careful placement in the garden is necessary - avoid sites with reflected heat and plant in light shade or morning sun in southern California. The pinkest of the flax and probably the most beautiful if maintained. We have had this plant in the ground in our gardens and in pots since 1984 and it has rarely bloomed, producing a 4 foot tall upright stalk with red flowers. Phormium 'Maori Maiden' was a selection made by Margaret Jones of Tauranga, NZ in 1981 from seedlings grown from "Rainbow Hybrids" seed. This plant seems to be nearly identical to the cultivar 'Rainbow Warrior' selected by Nevin Smith in the US. This plant was originally introduced as Phormium 'Maori Maiden' but in New Zealand there has been a tendency to replace the word "Maori" with "Rainbow" or leaving the word Maori off completely so this plant is often listed as Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' or just Phormium 'Maiden'. The original names by which these plants were described and published should be considered the valid name and the revised names only as synonyms. While this plant is one of the prettiest of the flax when it looks its best, it is slow growing, reverts continuously and sunburns in hot weather so we no longer can recommend this plant as a sustainable plant in the Southern California garden.
This information about Phormium 'Maori Maiden' 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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