Phormium tenax Duet - Flax lily

Phormium tenax 'Duet' is an evergreen perennial with an architectural habit and a truly exotic appearance. This variety of New Zealand Flax is particularly prized for its compact habit, which makes it easy to grow in pots in regions with cold winters. Its long, tapering leaves of a beautiful green edged with yellow are decorative in all seasons. After a few years in the ground, the plant produces a lovely summer flowering, further enhancing its ornamental interest. Perfectly suited to coastal areas, this lover of moisture and mild winters, dislikes drought and cold. In regions with overly harsh winters, it should be grown in a pot to be overwintered under cover.

Phormium is a genus of flowering plants whose botanical classification has evolved over time, before finally being assigned to the Asphodelaceae family. This family also includes several well-known ornamental genera, such as the splendid Eremurus with their spectacular flower spikes, and, of course, Asphodels found wild in the south. The Phormium genus comprises only two species native to New Zealand. The most developed specimens can produce leaves reaching nearly three metres long. As well as these species there are added many hybrids and horticultural cultivars, particularly appreciated for their often very colourful foliage.
'Duet' is a compact cultivar with moderate growth, reaching its mature size after 3 to 5 years. It then forms a pretty clump approximately 80 cm in height and 60 to 70 cm in width composed of long, narrow leaves, sheathing at the base, and tapering gradually to a point; they are not prickly because they are flexible. Starting very upright, they curve gracefully in the upper third, giving this perennial a lovely, full appearance. The beautiful bright green leaves are edged with yellow and veined with irregular streaks, giving each one a unique character. The evergreen foliage is decorative all year round, making the plant a permanent focal point of interest in a border. After a few years, this Phormium may flower in June-July, in the form of large, branched spikes bearing small tubular flowers about 2 cm long, whose colour varies from yellow-orange to red-orange depending on the specimen and exposure.
When planted in the ground in a sunny position, it will not tolerate drought and cold below -8°C. The climate of the Atlantic coast suits it well; in cold zones, it must be treated as an orangery plant, grown in a pot to be brought under cover before severe frosts.

Phormium Duet will find a place in a contemporary garden favouring architectural design or within an exotic-inspired border. Pair it with other distinctive plants like Musella lasiocarpa, or Golden Lotus Banana, a type of dwarf Banana plant that produces an incredible yellow inflorescence unlike any other. To enrich your display with vibrant blooms, consider the superb Crocosmias and if your soil is acidic, plant a Chilean Firebush, in the background, whose red flowering is breathtaking.