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Phormium

Chris1954Chris1954 Posts: 15

Hi,

I have a very large Phormium, which is now taking over my front garden and window. How do I cut it back or thin it out please.

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,214

    You can divide them Chris, which rejuvenates them. It can be a bit daunting with a mature one, but a good sharp spade will do the job once you dig it out. You can then divide the plant up, pot up or use some of the pieces elsewhere, and just replant the best looking bit. If you do that, it may need a little support initially as the roots can be quite shallow and a windy day can dislodge plants quite easily till they get established again.

    If you don't want to do that, you can cut old foliage back right in at the base. Slice off any old or damged leaves, or ones which you don't like the look of ! I do that on a regular basis with one or two of mine, just to keep them a suitable size for the space they're in. I have a pair of snips to do it whiwch I find better than secateurs. A good pair of scissors would also work well.

    If you look into the middle of the plant, you'll see new shoots coming through all the time. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,714

    You can dig it up and cut the root ball into sections with a large knife, or  slice off sections using a sharp spade.  Lots of muscle required.

  • Chris1954Chris1954 Posts: 15

    Thank you both, looks like no rest for the wicked this weekend.

  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003

    Ohhh...........I don't envy you that job, I hope you have a good substantial pair of gloves!

  • Skylark001Skylark001 Posts: 74
    Chris1954 said:

    I have a very large Phormium, which is now taking over my front garden and window.

    Chris, do you know the exact type of phormium which you have?  Last year I purchased a dozen different types (different colours) from a UK phormium specialist, and all but two have not survived the winter!  Perhaps a few nights at -8 is too much for them, and perhaps being at 300 metres above sea-level is generally too cool for them.  The two which have not been killed (but they are seriously damaged) have leaves which are a mixture of green and yellow, so I think that variety is hardier than the rest.

    And what part of the country is yours growing in?

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 4,305
    edited 28 March
    @Skylark001 Platts Black and Blondie are two that really need a greenhouse during the winter. Don't know if you purchased these? I purchased Blondie unaware of this and returned it to the GC a week later when I found out. Phormiums are from New Zealand years ago none of them would survive a UK winter.
    I grow Tricolor a huge form, that is fine other than a few yellow leaves which I will cut back in April. In general the green forms do seem tougher but not always.
    I have seen them with all the top growth dead and grow back from nothing, slowly, just depends on the root now. So a waiting game I think.
    I did grow a brown leaved one like the one in the photo but unable to give it a name someone no doubt will

    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS, SOIL.

    BROWN IS A COLOUR   Piet Oudolf
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,214
    It's a very old thread so I doubt if the OP will respond @Skylark001:)

    The species phormiums are much tougher than the named, cultivated varieties, and the OP's pic looks like one of those tougher species ones. Minus 8 isn't a problem for those, or the altitude - but the wet cold/freeze cycle was the problem for most of them this winter. That's what does for them anyway- wet cold - dry cold is far easier.
    Variegated ones are always slightly less tough too, and the reds are generally less tough than the greens, as @GardenerSuze says. 

    I've lost all of mine - many of which were well over ten years old. They always get some damage, but recover after a cut back in early spring.  They've managed all sorts, including plenty of periods of harsh frosts [periods  below minus 8 or 9 etc] and plenty of snow/sleet/rain in our usual winters here, but that prolonged cycle going from one extreme to another was a bridge too far. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 4,305
    @Fairygirl Is there no chance of survival for your Phormiums? Are the roots a mush? I know you grow Blondie, a real beauty, why is it the best ones are more tender! Platt's Black is amazing.
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS, SOIL.

    BROWN IS A COLOUR   Piet Oudolf
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,214
    I don't have Blondie @GardenerSuze - but I did have Cream Delight, which I loved. There was a tiny showing of vaguely green growth right in at the base, beside the edging, as it's in a raised bed. I'm not holding my breath though  ;)
    I had Platt's Black in a different garden, and I had a couple of Blackadders here - both knackered. The Yellow Wave ones are done too, and they were good doers, and had been brought from a previous house in their pots. I had a little piece of one of those I grew from a division, which is in a smallish pot. It might recover, but time will tell. I've tucked it in behind a shrub. Haven't looked at it for a while though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 4,305
    @Fairygirl The problem is even if they do start to regrow they can look a mess at least for one season if not longer. Sadly there is no other plant that can bring the same shape and structure to a garden. So the dilemma is do you replace them. Time will tell, standing in front of one at a GC will be the test!
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS, SOIL.

    BROWN IS A COLOUR   Piet Oudolf
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