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Products > Phormium 'Tom Thumb'
 
Phormium 'Tom Thumb' - New Zealand Flax

Note: This plant is no longer in stock. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  

 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Perennial
Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae)
Origin: New Zealand (Australasia)
Evergreen: Yes
Red/Purple Foliage: Yes
Bloomtime: Infrequent
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F
Phormium 'Tom Thumb' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to 2 feet tall with slightly arching undulating 1/2" wide green leaves with red bronze margins and a dark mid-rib. Our smallest green flax. 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. Slightly larger, greener and hardier than the cultivar 'Jack Spratt'. We first received this plant in 1984 and have yet to see this cultivar bloom in our garden. Introduced by Mr. J. Burton of Hamilton, New Zealand. 

Information displayed on this page about Phormium 'Tom Thumb' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will 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.

 
San Marcos Growers closed for regular business at the end of 2025 as the property is being developed for affordable housing.
While our gates remain closed, we will open them by appointment so we can liquidate remaining plants, supplies and equipment. The plants remaining in the field are listed on our Live Inventory Page.
 
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