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ShrubsSynonym

Phormium 'Bronze Surfer'

flax lily 'Surfer Bronze'

A clump-forming, evergreen perennial with leathery, upright, arching red, purple and brown foliage with occasional upright stems of red flowers appearing in summer

Synonyms

Phormium 'Bronze Surfer'
Phormium tenax 'Bronze Surfer'

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asphodelaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Phormium are evergreen perennials, making a large clump of leathery, strap-shaped leaves, with tall panicles of small, tubular flowers in summer
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in fertile well drained soil in full sun. May need the protection of a deep, dry winter mulch in northern and frost prone areas. See phormium cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Dead or damaged leaves may be removed in the spring

Pests

May be susceptible to phormium mealybug

Diseases

Maybe susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

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