This boastful , bluff , colorful alternative to ornamental grass thrives in spicy mood .
With its dramatic lance - forge leaves in sheer color , New Zealand flaxis often used as an alternative toornamental grasswhere more grain and a elan of colour are desired . This low - upkeep , heating system - loving plant is an evergreen perennial in Zones 9 - 11 and is grown as anannual in cooler climates . It make a good container plant life that can be be active indoors for the wintertime .
New Zealand flax grows in tumid clumps . In improver to the species , whose leafage total in shade of green with some bronze - bolshie , there are countless variegate form in differ heights and people of color combination , including pinko , whites , Bolshevik , burgundies , and every shade in between .
Credit: Frances Litman
Where to Plant New Zealand Flax
Generally , a fix in full sun with some afternoon shade ensures the most vivid coloration and dense growth . However , some varieties , specially those with white foliage , do substantially in fond nicety because they are more susceptible to folio sunburn . The soil in the planting location must have good drainage .
New Zealand flax gets quite magnanimous , especially when plant in the priming in Zones 9 - 11 , where it maturate through the winter as a perennial . Make certain the position offer sizable space . In containers , the size of it is ordinarily a slight more reticent .
New Zealand flax is classified as a gamey - peril invasive species in Hawaii , where is reseeds prolifically and crowds out native vegetation .
Credit: Frances Litman
How and When to Plant New Zealand Flax
In a hoar - free climate , plant nursery - grow New Zealand flax in spring along with other perennials . jab a fix twice the width of the container and the same height . slue the plant out of the container and softly rub the roots to loosen them if they are root - bound . go down the plant in the fix and take hold it upright with one hired man while backfilling the hollow with soil . Press down on the ground to slay air pockets , and then work a slow - release balanced plant food into the territory around the plant , stick with the product instructions for the correct amount . irrigate the plant .
place nanus variety 1 to 2 foot apart and larger plants 3 to 4 understructure aside .
New Zealand Flax Care Tips
New Zealand flax does not require a lot of maintenance , but it is a dumb cultivator . Seedlings take several yr to mature into a full - size industrial plant .
Light
Generally , New Zealand flax prefersfull sun , but afternoon shade is beneficial for brightly colored foliage .
Soil and Water
New Zealand flax grow in any average , well - drained territory that is slightly acidulent to neutral ( pH between 6.0 and 7.0 ) . The plants prosper in soil that stay evenly moist , but once they ’re established , they brook periodic dry spells . However , depending on the cultivar , some may ask more water than others .
During cold weather in late fall and wintertime and when overwintering the plant indoors , the plant go inactive and do n’t need much water .
Temperature and Humidity
New Zealand flax is not frost - hardy . Below Zone 9 , grow it as an one-year or in a container that you move outdoors for the summer and bring back indoors for the wintertime when temperature omit below 50 ° F . Keep the plant in a coolheaded room where it experience spate of sun .
The plant does not have any particular humidness requirements .
Fertilizer
New Zealand flax that is implant in garden territory usually need no fertilizer . For perennial flora , an annualapplication of compost , scattered around the base of the flora , is sufficient .
Pruning
Prune in the drop or in the spring . bring down off deadened or dying offset and leaves at their base . If your flora has been damaged by cold , cut it down to its al-Qaida . If the roots are still sizable , it will get back .
Potting and Repotting New Zealand Flax
New Zealand flax does well in commode . Use containers with large drainage holes and fill up them with gamey - timber organic potting mix . Water and fertilize the plants regularly during the summertime .
Repotting becomes necessary when the rootage have reached the English of the container . At that stage , either repot it to a container one size up with refreshful pot territory or part the plant life and distribute it over several containers .
Pests and Problems
Outdoor New Zealand flax is prone to mealybug infestation , sometimes to the decimal point of being unsalvageable . If one of your plants has this problem , it ’s full to toss it out and start with a new flora .
Indoors , the plant is susceptible tocommon houseplant pests , including scale insects and wanderer mites .
How to Propagate New Zealand Flax
The common fashion to propagate New Zealand flax is todivide itwhen the plant gets too large . Dig up the works with a shovel , being careful not to damage the roots or rhizome , and cut it into lowly glob or , if possible , lightly separate thump into section . Each incision should have beginning , a part of rhizome , and at least one leaf . Replant the incision in the garden or plant them in a container and water well .
originate New Zealand flax from the seeds that you collected is commonly not worth the endeavor , as most miscellanea are hybrid and the result plant wo n’t resemble the parent plant .
Types of New Zealand Flax
‘Dark Delight’ New Zealand Flax
' Dark Delight ' is a loanblend with evergreen plant 1- to 2 - inch - blanket shoulder strap - shaped leaves in dull purple . The leave grow 4 feet long .
‘Rainbow Sunrise’ New Zealand Flax
' Rainbow Sunrise ' , also be intimate as ' Maori Sunrise ' , has Salmon River pinko or jaundiced leave edged with bronze . It grows 2 to 4 substructure tall and wide .
‘Guardsman’ New Zealand Flax
Growing up to 7 feet magniloquent , ' Guardsman ' ca n’t be omit in the garden . The 1 to 2 - inch leaves are a stunning mix of burgundy and red . It endure seaside conditions and is drought - resistant .
‘Wings of Gold’ New Zealand Flax
A dwarf version of New Zealand flax , ' Wings of Gold ' only grows 24 to 30 inches tall with a rounded mound appearance . The leaves are green with a yellow margin and tinge of red ink throughout the year .
‘Yellow Wave’ New Zealand Flax
Unlike most New Zealand flax plants , ' Yellow undulation ' has an arched use . The 2 - inch - wide leaf have a brilliant xanthous center that fade to light , bright green with a sour fleeceable edge . It grow to 3 to 4 feet and is wider than it is grandiloquent .
New Zealand Flax Companion Plants
Phlox
There are several unlike variety ofphlox . Garden and meadow phlox produce magnanimous panicles of fragrant flowers in many colors . They tally height , heft , and charm to a border . Low - growing baseless Sweet William , moss pinks , and creeping phlox are efficacious as groundcovers at the front of the border , and as rock and wild garden plants , specially in promiscuous shade . zone 3 - 8
Perennial Sunflower
Perennial sunfloweris imposingly tall and floppy with large ( up to 4 in ) bright yellowish flowers forming escaped clusters . Excellent for slashed bloom . zona 4 - 9
Dahlia
Dahliaflowers form on furcate , heavy stem or open on the bedding - plant types mid- to late summer . All dahlia are fodder for seasonal cut nosegay . The blossom time of year extends into fall and is only halted by the first frost . Zones 8 - 10
Anemone
Anemonesare delicate prime atop slender staunch , giving them their vulgar name — anemone . Depending on the case , anemones blossom in give , summer , or fall , with pretty , slimly cupped flowers in rose , pink , or white uprise over distinctive , profoundly lobed foliage . geographical zone 4 - 8
Garden Plan for New Zealand Flax
Drought-Tolerant Slope Garden Plan
Tame a problematic - to - mow gradient with this beautiful , wanton - care plan . Thisdrought - resistant gradient garden planfeatures several drought - tolerant perennials and hardscape elements such as all-embracing steps that help exchange the diagonal area from inaccessible to inviting . Clusters of boulders are nuzzle into the soil to anchor portions of the sloped flush bed and add natural beauty .
Frequently Asked Questions
In many cases , the flowers of New Zealand flax are an afterthought . The small scandalmongering or crimson prime rarely seem on the industrial plant ; if they do , you ’ll detect them on lean root word eminent above the foliage . The flowers are generallyheavy nectar producers , do them a favorite for hummingbirds and other pollinators .
New Zealand flax is deer - insubordinate . cervid lean to leave the tough , fibrous leaves alone .
" New Zealand Flax . “Hawaii Invasive Species Council .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Credit: David Speer
Credit: Jim Krantz
Credit: Dency Kane
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
