New Zealand Flax 'Amazing Red'

Thu, 09/03/2009 - 8:48am — Kathy Ormiston

Photo Credit:

Marianne Mueller, PADG

Botanical Name:

Phormium tenax 'Amazing Red'

Pronunciation:

(FORM-ee-um TEN-ax)

Common Name:

New Zealand Flax 'Amazing Red'

Plant Type:

Perennial

Mature Size:

3 ft. wide and tall

Water Requirements:

Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full to half sun

Wildlife:

This plant is deer resistant

'Amazing Red' is reputed to be one of the smaller Phormium cultivars; our plant has grown to about 3 feet high and wide in six years. The sharp texture and brownish-red color of the leaves makes this plant an excellent focal point in the perennial bed.

We have never seen 'Amazing Red' bloom in our garden, but that's OK because Phormium flowers are not particulary attractive in our opinion. Prune out dead leaves, but don't try to reduce size Phormiums by cutting back their leaves. Unlike grasses, Phormium leaves won't grow back and you'll be stuck with stubby unattractive leaves.

Some Phormiums revert to the brownish color of the species after several years. 'Amazing Red' has held its color in our garden for six years and for ten years in some of our Master Gardeners' personal gardens.