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

San Marcos Growers has permanently closed as a business. This is an archived page preserved for informational use.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. 

The information displayed on this page about Phormium 'Surfer' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.

 
We closed for regular business at the end of 2025 in order for the property to be developed for affordable housing.
Our gates remain closed but we will open them by appointment to interested parties as we liquidate remaining supplies and equipment.
 
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