My experience is that it rots in winter. Maybe if it could be kept relatively dry, out of the wind and protected from severe frost, it might survive. Worth a try.

I carried a large one over in heated gh this winter. You could do it easily enough in a sunroom. They're actually one of the easiest plants to carry over because they prefer not to get much water in winter.

I'm in Prince William county VA - I read on the Hardy Palms & Subtrops. Board that someone in NJ had kept this alive. So I tried the plain green form this winter. It was planted in a well-draining, afternoon-sun area, and reasonably mulched (3" of pine mini-nuggets around the crown). It survived. It is growing back now from the roots and lower couple inches which stayed green through the winter.

The highly variegated forms ARE NOT as hardy because the plant is weakened by the variegation. BTW the green form seemed pretty heat resistant although last summer wasn't too much of a test.

-David

How fast do they grow in our climate? I found some small but healthy plants for a great price at a local nursery. Didn't buy any, but I'm thinking about it. I know they eventually get big but I'm not sure just how much space I would have to give it for one growing season.

Do you guys know where to get this plant (new zealand flax)? I live on the Eastern Shore area (Easton, MD) that is, and I'm sure my yard is a little warmer than the western shore area. I am now growing Windmill Palms, California Palms, Needle Palm, Sabal Minor, Pineapple Lily, Jelly Palm, Banana (Musa Basjoo) and looking for New Zealand Flax around my area if u know, any input will b welcome!

Palm Enthusiast!

I bought mine at the MD plant fair. My phormium is not liking the humidity right now. I know a bunch of mail order companies that sell them.

Hello, I found your post from a few years ago. I wonder if you know mail order companies that sell New Zealand Flax.
Thanks!

I found a red one at Lowe's several weeks ago and snapped it up right away. It was with the grasses.

I've grown a plain red variety for several years now. I got it from Steve at a swap. Anyway, it live in a pot & stays outside about 10 months out of the year. When the temperatures get below 20 degrees, it comes inside into a cool sunny growing area. It suffers extension leaf burn, but comes back & looks great by mid-summer. This variety does not seem to get nearly as tall as the photos I've seen from frost-free climates. It does not grown nearly as quickly as an ornamental grass does.

Hope that this helps,

Dan