PHORMIUMS, FLAXES, COOKIANUM OR TENAX?

Slightly confused? Allow us to simplify the matter for you. Phormiums are otherwise known as the New Zealand flax, of which there are two species - Tenax (stiff upright leaves) and Cookianum (soft flowing leaves).

As popular as ever for their easy maintenance habit and their native ability to enhance even the sorriest of gardens, the New Zealand flax has a long history of many uses - from fishing line and clothing to providng shelter and boat sails. Named from the Greek phormium - a mat or basket (referring to the stong fibres produced by the leaves which were used for basket making); more recently Phormiums are being researched for their potential value in fabrics, pharmaceuticals and even cosmetics.

Here at Gardening Solutionz, we have narrowed down the choice to a few tried and true popular performers of our structured planting range:

Phormium 'Evening Glow' - this stunning evergreen, native flax was selected for its bold, variegated burgundy-red foliage, which intensifies depending on the season providing the perfect backdrop for a dramatic planting.

Phormium 'Yellow Wave' - a wonderful Phormium with bold variegated yellow to cream foliage. A perfect companion to grasses, astelias and hebes.

Phomium 'Jester' - a Phormium with a difference! Its bold, arching, rich-pink leaves are margined with a lime green band which screams compatibility amongst dark foliaged or rich lime green coloured plants.

Phormium 'Platts Black' - its ebony-black weeping foliage placed amongst river rocks and stones looks spectacular mass planted.

All these fore mentioned Phormiums will provide a wonderful structured yet functional look to your garden. They are hardy and easy care whilst providing form and accent in your garden all year round. It's the choice of colour that is up to you!

But wait; there is one more worthy of a mention - Phormium Sweet Mist - a new comer to the market and one of the most compact, small forms to be released. Its beautiful bronze foliage provides a stunning contrast to the structured garden whilst demanding very little in terms of maintenance; lending itself to the saying "big things come in small parcels" Good news for those of you exposed to the elements - throw a heavy frost or the wind from an exposed coastal positioning at this one and Phormium Sweet Mist will come up trumps. Its bronze colouring suits planting amongst the lime green foliage of Euphorbia Kea or even the silver toning of Astelia Silver Spear.

METROPOL MAGAZINE (FEBRUARY 2008)