Phormium tenax Harakeke / New Zealand Flax is perhaps the most culturally significant and architecturally striking native plant in New Zealand. An evergreen perennial, Harakeke grows as a bold clump of long, strap-like, sword-shaped leaves from which a much taller flowering shoot rises, bearing dramatic tubular flowers in deep red or orange-yellow. Hardy and tolerant of most soil conditions, Harakeke thrives in full sun and looks spectacular mass planted or used as a strong contrasting feature plant in any garden. It is also an important food source for native birds such as tūī who seek out its nectar-rich flowers with characteristic enthusiasm. Rich, well-drained alluvial and organic soils encourage the most abundant growth, though Harakeke is broadly adaptable across a wide range of New Zealand conditions.
