Cultivation Phormium tenax

phormium tenax had many uses in traditional māori society. many of these uses have largely fallen disuse, though there upswing in use of traditional materials in modern māori art , craft. 2 common forms flax in traditional craft use of stripped, dried leaves broad bands, such in weaving of kete (flax baskets), , scraping, pounding, , washing of leaves create fibre — muka — used in tāniko (weaving) of soft, durable fabric clothing. flax used decorative , structural element in tukutuku, panelling found within mãori wharenui (meeting houses).

prior great depression of 1930s, decimated flax industry, there 2 serious attempts europeans breed fibre. first wellington-based leonard cockayne 1908. second massey-based john stuart yeates in late 1920s.

in recent times, p. tenax , cousin p. cookianum have been cultivated ornamental garden plants, striking fans of pointed leaves providing focal point in mixed plantings or @ edge of lawn. easy grow in sunny spot, in coastal areas protection in winter, require reliably moist soil. found in garden centres amongst plants similar appearance, notably yucca , cordyline. however, these different plants different requirements. p. tenax , cultivars can grow substantial size - 4 m (13 ft) tall 2 m (7 ft) broad.

new zealand flax cultivated on saint helena late 1800s around 1966 production of string , rope , export. today plants remain industry has stopped; considered ecological problem.

cultivars

more several cultivars have been selected decorative garden plants, including:

bronze baby - arching bronze leaves, 2-to-3-foot (0.61 0.91 m) plant.
dazzler - arching leaves bronze-maroon red , pink stripes, plant reaches 3 feet in height
duet agm
sundowner agm - 6-foot-tall (1.8 m) plant, leaves striped bronze, green , rose-pink
variegatum agm
yellow wave agm

those marked agm have gained royal horticultural society s award of garden merit.