Re: Phormium tenax

sean.ohara@groupmail.com writes:
>These plants are certainly the rage locally - you seem them everywhere,
>and often in great quantity.  Unfortunately, as they make a very strong
>statement in the landscape, they are often more difficult to place than
>people think and many poor planting examples can be found by home
>gardeners who have been swept away but these dramatic plants.  So much
>so that I had to laugh when I was reading a somewhat serious article
>in a local botanical garden's newsletter - it was on the topic of New
>Zealand flora.  The author, a well-known professor with a good
>reputation
>for serious botany, surprized me with the insertion of a remark about
>Phormiums among his otherwise dry text - '. . . planted by
>unimaginative gardeners everywhere' (!).    ;-)

I agree. I dont think I could fit one into my yard because they are so
architecturally bold. I have seen some rather old and massive specimens
near an apartment complex. Every year they cut the plants back but they
still get about 10 feet high every year.  They also planted it with
bronzy purple Dodonaeas (which have attained the height of a small
tree). At my former Junior High there is a clump of a shorter version
that has spread out a bit. 

>I love these plants and have often used them in designs, but they do
>have their problems (strong colors, tendancy to revert).  As with many
>plants, they should be used carefully to ensure the best effect.

For my situation they would best be a back ground plant in the
backyard. Definately deserve to be specimen plants, especially because
of their size. 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Time was I stood where thou dost now
And view'd the dead as thou dost me
Ere long you'll lie as low as I
And others stand and gaze at thee
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