Phormium ‘Alison Blackman’
New Zealand flax
Phormium ‘Alison Blackman’ is one of the recent compact and highly coloured cultivars of New Zealand Flax.
It is perhaps more upright than many, reaching 1.5m or so, yet retains a graceful, arching habit. Leaves are coloured centrally in grey-green, irregularly margined with clear butter yellow with a picotee edging of red. In good light, occasional streaks of pinky-red appear brushed through the entire leaf. Not quite as ‘in your face’ as some cultivars, this is perhaps easier to accommodate in the mixed border where its bright multicolour appearance can be used to tone and contrast.
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Plant Biography
Phormium are a genus of only two species: Phormium tenax which is native to New Zealand and Norfolk Island, and Phormium cookianum which is native only to New Zealand.
Known as New Zealand Flax, these plants have historically been used by the Māori people as a source of fibre for creating textiles, rope and sails.
More recently they have become ornamentally popular around the world, becoming beloved for their spectacular form, leading to the creation of many new cultivars in recent years.
Care & Size Guidance
Phormiums are undemanding plants that thrive in a sunny border with moist soil, or planted in a container. Once established they become drought tolerant.
Make sure to leave some space between the Phormium and surrounding plants as the Phormium’s large leaves can take over their space.
Phormium are generally hardy for normal winters but mulching around the base and using fleece jackets can help protect them during particularly cold spells.
This is my second buy. Bought first one from this Palmcentre and successfully grown beautifully. I put it the at my patio, Very easy to maintain, gone through winter fine. Now Ive got two pots of this large one, they transformed my patio to look more attractive. Thank you also for a good service!
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