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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.   [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.  The information about Phormium 'Surfer' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.     [MORE INFO]