Platt's Black New Zealand Flax

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.

This vibrant colored flax is well suited to mid-century modern and post modern compositions for dramatic high contrast color and texture. A natural in tropical landscaping with large leaf exotics and hot colored flowers. Use to soften building edges and as foundation planting. Smaller stature makes this one suited to urban and tight suburban settings. It's a powerful way to highlight important places in the garden. In a more naturalistic setting in sizeable landscapes, plant in groups for massive effect. Works particularly well around pools, ponds and rock waterfalls. Makes a striking potted specimen.

For a modernistic or tropical composition, group this plant with Rainbow Surprise Mirror Plant, (Coprosma x 'Rainbow Surprise') and Tropicanna Gold Canna (Canna indica 'Mactro'). Works beautifully with Peacock Butterfly Bush, (Buddleja davidii 'Peacock') and Purple Queen Bougainvillea, (Bougainvillea 'Moneth'). Try high contrast with Lemon Swirl Variegated Brush Cherry, (Eugenia myrtifolia variegata) and Caruba Black Good Luck Plant, (Cordyline fruticosa 'Bra01'

This cultivar was selected by Mr.. Graham Platt of Platt's Nursery, Aukland, New Zealand, where the vast majority of Phormium cultivars develop. This is because the native tui bird of New Zealand is the only pollinator for these uniquely flowered plants. This one was selected from seedlings produced by 'Black Knight'. The genus is classified in the Agave family from which many other fibrous leafed plants are derived.

New Zealand flax plants were used extensively by the indigenous Maori people of that region. The fibers inside the leaves led to the common name, flax, referring to the European fiber plant that is totally unrelated. Maori harvested the fibers and used the to weave cloth, mats and baskets.