Phormium tenax or New Zealand Flax is a hardy ornamental evergreen plant forming a basal rosette of stiff, sword-like leaves that stand upright making a fine, arching display in their own right.
In summer they produce panicles of tubular, orange to red flowers that are held on tall, stiff, erect stems and attract nectar-feeding birds. These flowers point upwards with the golden yellow stamen protruding.
These are very architectural plants and go well in Mediterranean style gardens, gravel gardens as well as larger courtyards. They are also well suited to larger pots, tubs and planters and being quite hardy they also handle coastal conditions well.