Photo of Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451 foliage, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451

Scientific Name: Phormium 'Fit01'

Also Known As

  • Phormium colensoi 'Black Adder'
  • Phormium cookianum 'Black Adder'
  • Black Adder Mountain Flax
  • Black Adder New Zealand Flax

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 3'
  • W: 3'

planting zones

  • 8a-10b

More Options

Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451 plant details

Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451 is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with black and purple foliage. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: asphodelaceae
Foliage: evergreen black and purple
Mature size: 3 FT wide, 3 FT tall

GROWING CONDITIONS for Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451

USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer, heat and seaside / salt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Thanks to Pat Fitzgerald, the dashing Irish plantsman who brought us the studly Ceanothus ‘Tuxedo,’ we bring you another tall, dark & handsome new introduction – Phormium ‘Black Adder.’ Discovered during the tissue culture process as a spontaneous sport of Phormium ‘Platt’s Black,’ this darker, more vigorous “New Zealand Flax” grows to 3’x3’, with long, sword-like leaves that are pendulous at the tips. Tolerant of many soil types, heat & clay, plus it’s great in coastal gardens & containers. What will Pat come up with next? We’re hoping he can breed us a black leaved, summer flowering tree Dahlia, but, you know, no pressure!

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Gardening facts about Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451 plant

How to Grow Phormium Black Adder™ PP20451

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - low
  • Soil Needs

    • adaptable
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • seaside / salt tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • purple
    • black
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • grassy

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Phormium for your garden

aka New Zealand Flax

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

8a-11

Size

Height: 3'-4'

Width: 3'-4'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Phormium 'Pink Panther' foliage by Karl Gercens III
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aka Phormium tenax 'Pink Stripe', ink Stripe New Zealand Flax

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

8a-11

Size

Height: 4'-6'

Width: 4'-6'

  • sun
  • even moisture - low
Photo of Phormium 'Pink Stripe' foliage by Briggs Plant Propagators
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aka Phormium tenax 'Platt's Black', Platt's Black New Zealand Flax, Platt's Black New Zealand Flax

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

8a-11

Size

Height: 3'-4'

Width: 3'-4'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - low
Photo of Phormium 'Platt's Black' foliage by Stickpen
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aka Phormium 'Rainbow Sunrise', Maori Sunrise New Zealand Flax, New Zealand Flax

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

8a-11

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 2'-4'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • even moisture - low
Photo of Phormium 'Maori Sunrise' foliage by Briggs Plant Propagators
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aka New Zealand Flax

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

8a-11

Size

Height: 5'-8'

Width: 4'-6'

  • sun - shade
  • even moisture - low
Photo of Phormium 'Sundowner' foliage by Secret Garden Growers
View Plant

More Options

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