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Products > Phormium 'Surfer'
 
Phormium 'Surfer' - New Zealand Flax

Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  
Image of Phormium 'Surfer'
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Perennial
Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae)
Origin: New Zealand (Australasia)
Evergreen: Yes
Red/Purple Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: Insignificant
Bloomtime: Spring/Summer
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F
Phormium 'Surfer' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to 3-4 feet tall with narrow twisted erect leaves that are olive green with dark red-brown leaf margins and a keeled mid-rib. 'Surfer' has flowered repeatedly in our gardens and has a 3-4 foot tall narrow inflorescence bearing red flowers. 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. Introduced by Mr. J. Burton of Hamilton, New Zealand. Although originally listed as a 2-3 foot tall plant we have noted it in several plantings here in Santa Barbara reaching to 4 feet tall. This plant has been likened to a large Phormium 'Tom Thumb' or 'Jack Spratt' and, while it is similar, it is unique. 'Surfer' is taller than these smaller flax and with its wider foliage it significantly shows off the bicolored green and brown leaves that twist along their length in a wave like fashion. 

This information about Phormium 'Surfer' 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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