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Phormium cookianum Blondie

Phormium cookianum Blondie
Mountain Flax, Wharariki, New Zealand Hemp

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Beautiful young plant with two-coloured leaves well protected in its packaging. I confirm its 'neck' effect as its leaves gracefully cascade like water gushing from a fountain. I will protect it for the winter as I am in Normandy.

Béatrice, 22/10/2022

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A true fountain of light! This small 60 cm (24in) phormium forms a tuft of slender, gracefully trailing leaves, resembling long ribbons of creamy yellow edged with green. This magnificent evergreen perennial with a very exotic appearance loves mild and humid climates. Hardy down to -8°C, it is recommended in a coastal climate.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
60 cm
Spread at maturity
60 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time April, September
Recommended planting time March to April, September to October
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Flowering time June to July
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Description

The Phormium cookianum 'Blondie' unfolds into a superb variegated fountain of light. A beautiful architectural plant, this modest-sized variety stands out for its gracefully trailing habit and the unique brightness of its long, slightly spiralled, cream-yellow leaves margined with green. With its resemblance to a giant Chlorophytum, this evergreen plant offers a particularly exotic appearance in the garden throughout the year, including its summer flowering with erect spikes adorned with highly nectariferous tubular flowers. 'Blondie' prefers the mild and humid climates of the oceanic facade when planted in the ground. It will also thrive in a large container, to be overwintered in cool climates. 

 

The Phormium cookianum, or mountain flax, belongs to the agavaceae family, just like its cousin the Phormium tenax, and both are native to New Zealand. However, the former shows less growth, is slightly less hardy, and prefers cooler, fertile soils. The recently obtained cultivar 'Blondie' in New Zealand is a compact form with trailing habit and variegated foliage. This superb rhizomatous perennial grows in a non-invasive clump. With an erect and gracefully arching habit, it reaches a height of approximately 60 cm depending on the growing conditions, with a spread of 50 to 60 cm. The leaves are quite slender, arched, flexible, slightly twisted, pointed at their ends, and notably trailing. Each leaf has a pale yellow to cream central area margined with green. Floral stems measuring at least 1 m appear from May to July, depending on the climate, overhanging the clump of foliage. They are green tinted with yellow and orange, arranged in curved flower spikes in the shape of tubes. They are followed by the formation of trailing spiralled fruits. This flowering attracts certain birds and many pollinating insects.

 

This Phormium is a plant of great ornamental value, particularly suitable for embellishing large pots due to its trailing habit. In the ground, it may be disappointing in Mediterranean climates, but splendid on the oceanic facade of our country. Used as a specimen or planted in groups, it structures the space and adds a very exotic charm to the garden. Like grasses, it is a wonderful perennial for a modern garden with clean lines. In colder regions, it can be placed in a very large pot on the terrace or balcony to admire its elegance in the summer and overwinter it frost-free in a cold greenhouse or a lightly heated conservatory.  In an urban garden, it softens concrete structures. It can also be paired with purple foliage such as certain Japanese maples, physocarpus, or Pittosporum. 

The Maoris use Phormiums as we use flax, for their fibers that are exploited in the textile industry. This is likely where the vernacular name 'New Zealand Flax' or 'Mountain Flax' comes from.

Phormium cookianum Blondie in pictures

Phormium cookianum Blondie (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time June to July
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 1 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour variegated

Plant habit

Height at maturity 60 cm
Spread at maturity 60 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Phormium

Species

cookianum

Cultivar

Blondie

Family

Agavaceae

Other common names

Mountain Flax, Wharariki, New Zealand Hemp

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference850731

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Planting and care

The Phormium cookianum 'Blondie' is a hardy plant that will be grown in the ground mainly in regions where frost does not go below -8°C (17.6°F). Elsewhere, pot cultivation is more suitable, which will allow wintering protected from frost in a cool and bright room.

Plant your Phormium in a container or a large pot with the bottom filled with gravel, broken pottery shards, or clay balls. The soil mix should be fertile and well-draining (1/3 leaf compost, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 ordinary garden soil).

Place the plant in full sun. Water generously during the growth period so that the soil never completely dries out. Feed the plant with fertilizer once a month. In winter, reduce water and fertilizer inputs and let the soil dry out superficially between waterings.

In regions with a mild climate and light frost, plant Phormium in the ground, in a very well-draining soil that is cool and fertile.

In summer, make sure the plant does not lack water. In winter, it can rely on rainwater.

In case of severe frost, apply a thick mulch at the base of the plant and cover it with a winter veil.

In the coldest regions, a thick mulch will help protect the roots from winter frost.

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Planting period

Best planting time April, September
Recommended planting time March to April, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Pond edge
Type of use Border, Container, Greenhouse
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, free draining, fertile

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Needs protection
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