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Products > Phormium 'Yellow Wave'
 
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' - New Zealand Flax

Note: This plant is no longer in stock. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  
Image of Phormium 'Yellow Wave'
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Perennial
Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae)
Origin: New Zealand (Australasia)
Evergreen: Yes
Yellow/Chartreuse Foliage: Yes
Variegated Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: Insignificant
Bloomtime: Infrequent
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 3-4 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to 3-4 feet tall with arching 2 inch wide leaves that have a central yellow band that is brighter when first emerging and fades to yellow-green by fall. Plant is wider than tall. 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. Prune out green foliage fans at base of plant to maintain yellow color. 'Yellow Wave' was selected from Rainbow Hybrid seedlings by Mr. F. Jury of Waitara, New Zealand. The popular and colorful cultivar 'Jester' is reported to be a sport of 'Yellow Wave'. This plant is more prone to a bacterial leaf spot that is not widely noticed on other cultivars and for this reason we discontinued production of this plant. 

Information displayed on this page about Phormium 'Yellow Wave' 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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