Along with Griselina. Phormiums are often seen especially in coastal gardens here in West Cork and Kerry. They are natives of New Zealand but they seem to do well in the mild West Cork climate.
Here's one I made by division a couple of years ago:
They make nice ornamental and architectural plants. They have leathery leaves which don't mind the salt laden wind and rains that we get in our coastal gardens.
Maoris in New Zealand use to make ropes and sewed with them.
April is a good time to divide them like I did yesterday in the relentless rain:
I managed to make 3 new plants. All for free and used the old trusty bread knife to divide and prize them apart.
I have seen similar plants for sale online from 15 Euros upwards.
I have been selling them at car boot sales for 5 Euros.
My rainy day plant propagation will reward me for my efforts one day.
I usually leave them to establish and wait for the roots to grow out of the drainage holes in the plant pots.
I might even keep them for nursery plants and plant them in the gardens and divide them every April when it's showery and getting warmer.
Anyone else dividing their Phormiums?
NZ flax! I have a couple of bags woven from flax. The Maori women are great at crafting
ReplyDeleteSounds like the subject for a blog of yours Linda. Photos please!
ReplyDeleteWe have two of these in pots beside the gate to the Memorial Garden. They don't seem to need any care and have survived being ignored and neglected these past three years.
ReplyDeleteI have cut them back severely and I often divide them JayCee. A good leathery leaf plant for coastal gardens.
ReplyDeleteI've left my seedlings in trays of water in my greenhouse with the door open,🤞🤞🤞, we are away until Wednesday and the coming heatwave could prove dire dor them.
ReplyDeleteYes fingers crossed Marlene. I bought some strong and healthy veg plants from a garden centre yesterday. Fluctuating temperatures can cause havoc with young seedlings. I still await my greenhouse/potting shed/ reading/ writing room construction. Have a good break.
ReplyDeleteI've left he door open so they do not fry, nightime temperatures are not to low.
DeleteYou could even leave buckets or bowls of water in the greenhouse to help hydrate them?
ReplyDeleteHarakeke! Still used for hats and kete (bags) of all sorts and sizes..very useful...but I think all the flax mills have gone or subsided into ruin.
ReplyDeleteIf you see the Māori dancing, the clothes are often made from this or other plants.
Thanks GZ. European flax grew well in Ireland and it was used to make linen.
DeleteGZ is right - it was called flax by European immigrants because it could be used for linenlike fibres, but our flax Mills are all gone. I have just potted up dozens of Griselinia and lemonwood seedlings (and cordyline - Cabbage Trees- they handle salt too) from the garden at Bro's place - my mini nursery.
ReplyDeleteThanks TM. Sounds like you have got my plant making hobby. You certainly need one living in the countryside.
ReplyDelete