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Story: Flax and flax working. In the late 1700s Māori showed European visitors how New Zealand flax could be prepared to make rope and other useful items. This led to a booming trade in flax fibre, and a local flax-stripping industry. Today, research is finding new uses for flax – from face-creams and animal feed to flower arrangements.
Flax cultivars. Māori have always selected different types of flax and grown them in plantations known as pā harakeke. These cultivars have names, and are used for various purposes. Clockwise from top left: the muka (fibre) of ‘Kōhunga’ is prized for fine cloaks; ‘Ngaro’ has long, strong leaves that are ideal for piupiu (skirts ...
Jul 18, 2013 · Facts on the Maori Flax Bush. New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.) is a fan-shaped perennial with swordlike leaves. The Maori of New Zealand used the plant's fibrous leaves to weave baskets and mats and made fishing nets, footwear and ropes from the fibers. The "Maori," or "Rainbow," series of flax cultivars has blades with pink, coral, bronze and ...
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' plant details. Phormium 'Apricot Queen': A broadleaf evergreen perennial with variegated, white, green and apricot foliage and flowers in summer. It contributes grassy texture to the garden. To grow well, it prefers sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water.
There are two species of New Zealand flax. Phormium tenax (left), also known as harakeke or swamp flax, has stiff leaves, red flowers, and upright seed pods. It grows mainly on lowland swamps throughout New Zealand. Phormium cookianum (right), also known as wharariki or mountain flax, has softer leaves and yellow flowers.
One of the darkest New Zealand Flax cultivars, Phormium 'Dark Delight' boasts slightly arching, narrow, sword-like, dark reddish-brown leaves. Robust, this evergreen perennial is topped in summer with a dramatic flowering stalk, 5-6 ft. tall (150-180 cm), bearing panicles of tubular, red flowers which attract nectar-seeking birds. Native to New Zealand, this Phormium is primarily grown for its ...
Adding a bright note to the garden year-round, Phormium tenax 'Yellow Wave' (New Zealand Flax) is a very ornamental and robust evergreen perennial featuring a basal rosette of arching, strap-shaped leaves up to 40 in. in length (100 cm), heavily striped with cream, butter-yellow and lime-green. The architectural, cascading foliage is topped in summer with a dramatic flowering stalk bearing ...
