Re: Phormium tenax
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Re: Phormium tenax
- From: C* M*
- Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 09:51:14 -0800
This is an interesting question. I see big stands of P. tenax in the
parking lot of my local Costco where they get full sun and radiated
heat from asphalt and cars all summer long. They seem to do OK and
there must be a drip system in place -- I've not really taken the
time to dig around (!).
But in my garden they seem to really have problems with the hot sun.
The more I look at this the more I think it is the cultivar and type
that is the variable. Those whose stems arch and drape rather than
stand stiff are more susceptible. And even the smaller cultivars of
the stiff stem types seem to burn on the tips in my garden. The only
way I can prevent this is rather more water than I'd prefer to give
-- the surrounding plants are euphorbias, lavenders, and the like.
Those in the Costco parking lot are the giants -- they would
overwhelm my small garden. I'm thinking of moving mine to areas that
get some afternoon shade.
What are other people's experiences?
I like in the southern portion of the greater San Francisco Bay Area,
sunset zone 15 which is quite warm in the summers.
Carol Moholt
>Phormium tenax has been in Israel for years. Heat hardiness should
>not be a problem
>as the weather here may be in the 35C+ range for more than six to
>eight weeks in
>several areas. In discussing plants hardiness to heat it should be
>noted that one of
>the primary factors is the sun radiation factor. In desert areas,
>with clear skies for
>over several months, it is probably the radiation which is more
>destructive than the
>heat itself. In addition, dessication factors and the additional;
>amounts of water also
>have to be taken in consideration. Unfortunately, the only book
>written on the subject
>( to my knowledge ) is Heat-Zone Gardening by Dr. H. Marc Cathey. He gives
>Phormium the highest rating ( more than 210 days over 30C ).
