Phormium Tenax ‘Platt’s Black’ (Platt’s Black New Zealand Flax)
Phormium Tenax ‘Platt’s Black’ (Platt’s Black New Zealand Flax)
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Phormium Tenax ‘Platt’s Black’ (Platt’s Black New Zealand Flax) is a striking architectural plant prized for its dramatic, upright, sword-shaped foliage in deep bronze, burgundy and near-black tones. Its bold, clumping growth habit creates a strong focal point in contemporary gardens, coastal landscapes and decorative outdoor spaces. The dark foliage provides a beautiful contrast against lighter green plants, silver-leaved shrubs and ornamental grasses, making it an excellent choice for adding depth, texture and year-round visual interest to garden beds and borders.
Hardy and relatively low-maintenance, Platt’s Black New Zealand Flax is well suited to gardeners seeking a distinctive feature plant with strong landscape appeal. It performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, becoming more tolerant of dry conditions once established. Its evergreen foliage maintains an attractive appearance throughout the year, while its bold form works beautifully in mass plantings, large containers and modern landscape designs. Choose this versatile ornamental plant to introduce rich foliage colour, architectural structure and a sophisticated touch to your garden with minimal ongoing care.

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Mature height
Approximately 1–1.2 m
Mature width
Approximately 0.7–1.2 m
Spacing
0.9–1.2 m apart
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Foliage
Dark purple, bronze, chocolate-brown to near-black foliage; flowers may be orange, yellow or red
Flowering Period & Fruit Development/Harvest
Spring to summer
Sun tolerance
Full sun to partial shade; full sun enhances foliage colour
Maintenance
Low; remove dead or damaged leaves and spent flower stems. Water regularly while establishing, then reduce watering once established. Prefers well-drained soil.
Root System
Fibrous, spreading rhizomatous root system forming a clump