Description
Phormium Cookianum is a native plant of New Zealand that belongs to the family Asphodelaceae. It is also known as mountain flax or wharariki1. It has long, narrow leaves that are green or bronze and grow up to 1.5 m tall. It produces clusters of yellow or red flowers hanging from tall stems and attracting birds and insects3. The flowers are followed by twisted seed capsules that are also pendulous1.
Phormium cookianum is a versatile plant that can grow in a range of habitats, from coastal cliffs to alpine meadows1. It can tolerate wet or dry soils, sunny or shady conditions, and exposed or sheltered sites. It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens, where it adds colour and texture to the landscape. It can also be planted for erosion control, windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and fibre production4.
It has attractive gracefully drooping long bright green leaves and in spring long long spikes with flowers appear which is a fantastic food source for native birds.. Phormium cookianum is an all purpose, low maintenance plant and  a great choice for wet or dry, sun or shade, exposed for sheltered.
