Phormium 'Sundowner' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows typically to 6-8 feet but can reach 10 feet in optimum conditions. It has an upright form with 2 1/2" wide bronze-green leaves with rose-pink margins fading to cream in summer. The new foliage is often all a rose pink and stunning!
Plant in full sun to light shade. Can tolerate fairly dry conditions (coastal) but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation. Cold hardy to 15-20° F and possibly root hardy below these temperatures but with severe foliage damage unless protected. One of the toughest and largest of the new hybrid New Zealand Flax.
Phormium 'Sundowner' was introduced by Mr. B Porteous of Auckland prior to 1981. We first offered this large flax in 1988 and continued growing it until 2011. We still consider it an attractive plant but it is far too large for most gardens.
The information about Phormium 'Sundowner' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
|