Phormiums or New Zealand Flax are great low water and low maintenance plants. This one is Phormium 'Maori Queen'. They offer year round color and add a dynamic interest with the blades reaching up and some of them then arch. The only real maintenance is to remove or prune back the dead leaves at the base. Do not crew cut this plant. Many gardeners do not spend the time to hand prune as this plant deserves to maintain its beauty year round. Chopping it takes away from its natural form and it takes a long time to get it back to its natural shape. once given a crew cut.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary concrete paver landscaping in Orange County with a fireplace.

Phormium Maori Maiden and heucheras Photo by Holly@StickleyCreative.com
Inspiration for a modern landscaping in Portland.

Phormiums - Jester, Duet, Tiny Tiger and Jack Spratt with penstemons, Blue Fescue, and Carex testacea.
Inspiration for a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

Girasole Sonoma
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The paver patio extends through the backyard and is broken up in the center with a small rectangle of lawn. The format is contemporary in style yet with the lawn it provides flexibility as the two side spaces can maintain an intimate feel or the entire space could be utilized for a large gathering with extra tables or furniture on the lawn as well. A center focal point is the water feature decked out in dry stacked stone facade that mimics the new siding on the house. Phormiums and Cordylines flank the water feature.

Cordyline Raspberry Festival and Phormium Apricot Queen were used to flank the large stone water feature. The existing Canna remained.
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San Anselmo, Sleepy Hollow, CA - Lawn replaced with DG, Decomposed Granite and a stately arbor with low water plantings. More project photos: http://www.houzz.com/projects/13169//mediterranean-garden-in-san-anselmo-ca © photos and design: Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photo of a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

Photo of a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

The Crape Myrtle is under planted with Yellow Wave Phormiums, Golden Nugget Berberis, Santa Barbara Daisy and Kaleidoscope Abelia. To each end is a small Oo-La-La Bougainvillea. All plants are drought tolerant and fit with the Mediterranean architecture.

Arleen Ferrara
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This round plant bed of stacked stone serves as extra seating for entertaining while a multi-grafted apple tree grows in the center surrounded by Yellow Wave Phormiums. Photo credit and designer Kim Leichner, Installed by Peter Rosen, Dynamic Designs

A mix of low water plants that add color and texture include Euphorbia Ascot Rainbow, Phormium Apricot Queen, red Salvia greggii, Osteospermum daisy and Mexican Evening Primrose.

A look from across the street. The Yellow Wave Phormiums help bring the color of the house into the
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This narrow side yard was transformed into a courtyard for entertaining with two sections. Surrounding plants can tolerate the micro changes of sun and shade while giving color and textural interest. Plants include Yellow Wave Phormium, Blue Oat Grass, Autumn Sage in various colors, Pineapple Sage 'Golden Delicious,' and penstemons. photo credit: Kim Leichner install: Hortus Design

An existing mature Phormium and Cordyline were very large and left in place to plan the front garden around these specimens.
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Yellow Wave Phormiums add a lot of color all year and get about 3' by 3' with arching leaves.
Design ideas for an eclectic landscaping in San Francisco.

Lagoon-side property in the Bel Marin Keys, Novato, CA. Entertaining and enjoying the views were a primary design goal for this project. The project includes a large camaru deck with built-in seating. The concrete steps and pavers lead down to the water's edge. I included a sunken patio on one side and a beautiful Buddha statue on the other, surrounded by succulents and other low-water, contemporary plantings. I also used Dymondia ground cover to create a natural pathways within the garden. Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Design Eileen Kelly