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Phormium 'Duet' (Dwarf Variegated Flax) - A New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows to 2 feet tall with rather stiff leaves which are erect to somewhat spreading. Green in the center with the creamy white variegation concentrated toward the margins. This cultivar flowers annually with 3 foot wands of yellow 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. Good as a contrast plant and in small gardens. A reliable and stable dwarf cultivar.
Phormium 'Duet' was introduced in 1979 by Ms. Margaret Jones of Tauranga, New Zealand. With its smaller size and yellow flowers it definitely has Phormium cookianum in its parentage. We first received plants of this cultivar with many other varieties from New Zealand Flax Hybridisers in 1983. We first planted these hybrid plants out in our flower field to sell foliage to the San Francisco and Chicago flower markets, but later made the decision to also grow them as nursery crops and we first listed this cultivar for sale in our 1986 catalog.
Information displayed on this page about Phormium 'Duet' 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.
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