Phormium ‘Yellow Wave’ (New Zealand Flax)

Adding a bright note to the garden year-round, Phormium tenax ‘Yellow Wave’ (New Zealand Flax) is a very ornamental and robust evergreen perennial featuring a basal rosette of arching, strap-shaped leaves up to 40 in. in length (100 cm), heavily striped with cream, butter-yellow, and lime-green. The architectural, cascading foliage is topped with a dramatic flowering stalk bearing thick flower spikes, at least 7 feet (2 meters) tall, that appear from May to July, depending on the climate, rising above the clump of foliage. They are green-tinged with purple and form spikes of curved, tubular flowers about 2 inches (5 cm) long, which take on a matte red hue when mature. The flowers attract certain birds and numerous pollinating insects. Native to New Zealand, Phormium tenax is primarily grown for its attractive foliage and makes a stunning focal point in the garden. Most plants do not flower until they are fully mature.

• Adds architectural height to the garden and grows up to 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm).
• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soils and even strong shade. Salt and drought tolerant.
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Great for beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, gravel gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Excellent as container plant!
• Virtually disease free. Watch for mealybug
• Propagate by seed sown in spring or by division in spring
• Remove dead or damaged leaves in the spring