My Climate Change Garden

Here is a great plant that will cope with hotter summers and colder winters that the UK now experiences.

Latin name: Phormium tenax

Description: Very tough and dramatic architectural plants that need little maintenance, in a range of sizes to suit every garden. P. tenax is a clump forming perennial with dark green, rigid, upright, sword-like leaves 2m or more long. ‘Variegata’ has striking green leaves edged in cramy yellow. P. cookianum is smaller with arching leaves, with a good range of hybrids in striking colours.

Hardiness: Hardy to about -10C for short periods

Height: 1-2m or mo

Position: Full sun preferred, although will tolerate dappled shade for part of the day

Soil: Any well drained garden soil

Water: Water well to establish and much well to retain as much moisture as possible

Usage: As a feature plant or in a large container