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Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate'

Also Known As

  • Phormium colensoi 'Chocolate'
  • New Zealand Flax

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 2'-4'
  • W: 2'-4'

planting zones

  • 8b-11

More Options

Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate' plant details

Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate' is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with bronze and chocolate foliage. In spring and summer yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - bright shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: asphodelaceae
Foliage: evergreen bronze and chocolate
Mature size: 2 FT - 4 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate'

USDA Zones: 8b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: seaside / salt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Attractive, medium-sized phormium with greenish-brown, stiffly upright foliage. There is some confusion in the trade over the name of this cultivar, as the foliage tends to be different colors in various parts of the world. The plants we are growing have a distinctive chocolate-colored cast to them, particularly in full sun (they become somewhat greener in too much shade). Plants reach 2-3' with an equal spread. Hardy to 10°F.
Love, love, love this cultivar with yummy delicious (but please no tasting) chocolate brown foliage with a glint of bronze undertone! At 4', this is a nice size for the pot or for the garden…sun to light shade; loves the sea shore, needs regular water and decent drainage. The evergreen leaves are upright with a bit of flex. Hardy to about 15 F.

Gardening facts about Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate' plant

How to Grow Phormium cookianum 'Chocolate'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - bright shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • seaside / salt tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • bronze
    • chocolate
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen

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
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