Phormium 'Sundowner'
New Zealand flax
With their arching, sword-shaped leaves, phormiums make a dramatic statement in the garden. Originating from New Zealand, where their fibre has traditionally been used in the same way as hemp or sisal, they are versatile evergreen plants that tolerate a range of conditions and look at home in a variety of different planting schemes. They have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more colourful varieties being introduced.
As its name suggests, Phormium 'Sundowner' has all the colours of the sunset - broad, bronze-green leaves with rose-pink or apricot margins that sing in the sunlight. In hot summers, spikes of tubular, yellow-green flowers will shoot up from the centre. This spectacular phormium is perfect for a sunny, exotic or Mediterranean-style garden, as part of a scheme based on 'hot' colours, or as a foil for ornamental grasses.
As its name suggests, Phormium 'Sundowner' has all the colours of the sunset - broad, bronze-green leaves with rose-pink or apricot margins that sing in the sunlight. In hot summers, spikes of tubular, yellow-green flowers will shoot up from the centre. This spectacular phormium is perfect for a sunny, exotic or Mediterranean-style garden, as part of a scheme based on 'hot' colours, or as a foil for ornamental grasses.
How to care for Phormium Sundowner:
Plant in a sunny or lightly shaded spot with soil that drains well, adding grit and compost if your ground is heavy. In pots, use a sturdy container with drainage holes and a free-draining mix such as loam-based compost with added grit, and water regularly through summer.
Protect plants in winter with a thick mulch of well-rotted organic matter and cover the crown with horticultural fleece during hard frosts. As growth picks up in late spring, remove any dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy and encourage fresh new foliage.
Protect plants in winter with a thick mulch of well-rotted organic matter and cover the crown with horticultural fleece during hard frosts. As growth picks up in late spring, remove any dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy and encourage fresh new foliage.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
2m
Eventual spread:
2m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
3 litre pot
£38.99
available to order from spring
Unavailable
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