Phormium cookianum

18 Aug

Phormium cookianum seed pod (24/07/2011, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, wet soil

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 1cm

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Phormium cookianum is an evergreen perennial with an upright habit. Its mid/ dark green leaves, are sword shaped with a central groove that runs its length and are up to 1.8m long. Its pale yellow/ green hermaphroditic flowers are tubular and borne in panicles. Its black fruit are twisted seed pods, these are initially green.

Phormium cookianum, commonly known to the Maori people as Wharariki and throughout the western world as Mountain Flax, is native to New Zealand. Traditionally this plant is used by the native people of New Zealand to weave baskets called kete. This plant was first known as Phormium colensoi in 1846. However this name was quickly superseded by Phormium cookianum as the previous name was not published for a couple of years and the new name was formally published and accepted as correct.

The etymological root of the binomial name of Phormium is derived from the Greek phormos meaning ‘basket’. Cookianum is named for Captain James Cook, the 18th century British navigator and explorer.

Phormium cookianum (24/07/2011, London)

The landscape architect may find Phormium cookianum useful as a large evergreen perennial, particularly in maritime locations. It is tolerant of periodical flooding, even with saline water. It will tolerate short periods of drought once established.

Ecologically, Phormium cookianum will attract many species of pollinating insects such as honey bees and butterflies.

The Royal Horticultural Society gave the cultivars Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri ‘Cream Delight’ and ‘Tricolour’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Phormium cookianum ‘Tricolour’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Phormium cookianum requires little to no maintenance. Dead or damaged material may be removed in spring. Large clumps may be lifted and divided in spring.