Phormium tenax 'All Black'
New Zealand flax 'All Black'
A tough and robust evergreen perennial to 2m tall, with upright and arching, sword-shaped, dark purple leaves. In summer mature plants may produce a tall flowerspike bearing tubular red flowers
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Purple | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Red | Purple | ||
Autumn | Purple | |||
Winter | Purple |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Established plants are drought-resistant. See Phormium cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to phormium mealybug
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
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