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Products > Phormium 'Jester'   Phormium 'Jester' - Fiesta New Zealand Flax     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Perennial Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Red/Purple Foliage: Yes Flower Color: NA Bloomtime: Infrequent Synonyms: [P. 'Emerald Pink', 'Emerald and Jade', 'Fiesta'] Height: 1-3 feet Width: Clumping Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade Seaside: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F Phormium 'Jester' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to only 18 inches tall with slightly arching 2- 3 feet long pinkish leaves that have an orange midrib and lime green bands near the leaf margins. 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. A very interesting color combination but seems weaker than most other cultivars - tends to revert to green. Other names for this cultivar include 'Emerald and Jade' , 'Emerald Pink', 'Redheart' and 'Fiesta'. This cultivar is thought to be a sport of Phormium 'Yellow Wave'. We discontinued growing 'Jester in the past because of its tendency to revert however we find its uniquely beautiful foliage color attractive and have put it back into production. A more upright and narrow leafed sport of 'Jester' was named 'Jubilee' and this plant was patented but it to suffered from the color reversin problem.  The information about Phormium 'Jester' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We also relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we visit, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.     [MORE INFO]