Phormium ‘Cream Delight’

Mountain flax 'Cream Delight'

An attractive Phormium hybrid with a relaxed fountain habit, its creamy yellow leaves with green irregular striping on the edges have a tiny pencilling of maroon at the base. It is one of the smaller Phormium cultivars, reaching around 1 metre tall in maturity.

Best grown in full sun with good drainage, it also works brilliantly as an evergreen container specimen. In the ground it is somewhat drought-tolerant once established, and it’s spiky form works well with other arid plants.

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Origin: Cultivar of horticultural origin, species native to New Zealand
Genus: Phormium
Species / Cultivar: cookianum subsp. hookeri 'Cream Delight'
Common Name: Mountain flax 'Cream Delight'
Synonym: Phormium cookianum 'Cream Delight', Phormium colensoi 'Cream Delight'

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.

Phormium tenax 'Variegatum'
Soil: Moist but Well Drained
Soil that allows water to drain at a moderate rate, without the water pooling.
Growth Rate: Medium
Expect to see moderate growth during growing season.
Water Requirement: Low
Will grow in a drier position and is unlikely to need regular watering once established.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Full Sun to Part Shade
Enjoys direct sun most of the day, but tolerant of fewer sunlit hours or light dappling.
Eventual Height: 0.5-1m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 0.5-1m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Hardy
Survives unprotected in an average winter. May need protection in extreme long frosts.
Habit: Evergreen
Always in leaf throughout the year. It won't lose all its leaves at any one time.

Expert Tip

As with all Phormium, protection is recommended in colder parts of the country or in extreme freezes.
Care & Size Guidance

Care & Size Guidance

Phormium cookianum ‘Cream Delight’, also known as New Zealand Flax, requires well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Water regularly, especially during the growing season, but avoid waterlogged conditions.

This evergreen perennial can reach a height and spread of approximately 1 metre. Regular pruning of dead leaves and flower stalks helps maintain its shape and appearance. It is adaptable to various soil types and is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens and landscapes.

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