Phormium tenax ‘Platt’s Black’ (New Zealand Flax)

We love it in masses, in great dramatic swathes. We love it in clumps, as rocketty fireworks of architectural spikiness. And we love it as blobs of exotic highlighting in a mixed planting scheme. Looks tremendous in an eclectic scheme of rounded shrubs and flowering perennials. They’re a great foil for pastel-coloured flowers if you’re into that. Equally wowsome as a backdrop to punchy oranges and acid yellows if you’re adventurous and loud. However your tastes lean, they're incredibly useful foundation plants where the blade-like leaves and impact of their colour keep a border interesting year-round. Best in full sun to get the most intense bronze-purple-black colour, and is perfectly happy on any moist but well-drained soil, in any aspect. Being another New Zealand superstar it’s hardy but may benefit from some protection in a very cold winter. Achieving a substantial 1.2 metres high and wide, they grow well in pots, too, as long as the pot is big.