James H. Schutte
Family
Agavaceae
Botanical Name
Phormium 'Amazing Red'
Plant Common Name
Amazing Red New Zealand Flax, New Zealand Flax
General Description
The robust New Zealand flax 'Amazing Red' is an evergreen perennial to tender perennial with attractive strap-like leaves of red-brown with distinctive red edges. It forms compact, upright clumps of becoming foliage. In summer, tall leafless stems appear with panicles of dull red, tubular flowers, but these are only marginally ornamental.
New Zealand flax should be planted in well-drained, fertile soil. Though shade-tolerant, its leaf color is brightest when exposed to full or partial sun. This compact plant is well suited to containers or mixed beds and borders.
Phormium leaves contain a soft, yet strong fiber extracted by the Maori for use in weaving mats and fabric, hence the name New Zealand "flax."
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 2
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm
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Width
18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Red
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Brown, Dark Red, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Brown, Dark Red, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Brown, Dark Red, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Brown, Dark Red, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Striped/Striated
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
