Family Asparagaceae
Garden origin.

• An outrageous purple/burgundy column of soft pointed leaves.
• Evergreen foliage adorned with scented white flowers when mature.
• Hardy in southern and coastal gardens once established.

Probably the best-coloured phormium ever! This brilliantly hot looking striped variety of the iconic and indispensable species can’t be beaten for sheer colour impact, forming a tall column of foliage, it keeps its lower leaves longer than the species before slowly reaching 2m tall, when it may begin to form a short trunk.

It eventually produces small spikes of heavily scented white flowers when mature, like miniature versions of the species, C. australis, which are loved by all pollinators. It’s ideal for exotic, coastal, Mediterranean planting schemes, and sunnier spots in jungle gardens, where its loud colours can contrast exotically with darker foliage plants. Growing very well in pots, it has the architectural qualities to make repeated accent points or form centerpieces in contemporary designs, placed on patios or roof terraces.

The robust foliage is very wind tolerant making it an excellent choice for gardens in coastal exposure. It may require protection when very young but is easy to grow in all but the heaviest wet soil, being particularly tolerant of dry and poor sandy soil.

Height and spread after 10 – 20 years 2m x 1m