Phormiums in winter

Miss Pink

Hi

I've been trying to find out if I should protect with garden fleece my phormium plant. It's in the ground in a gravel garden, and is about 1m by 1m in size. It's normally a tough old thing but I'm still unclear if it's tough enough to last a winter without cover.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. 
Thank you.

a1154

Yes definitely ok with the hardest of winters.  I have lost several, one was in ground too wet and rotted, and I did have some in pots eaten by mice. Wont be killed by cold or frost though. 

Fairygirl

Totally fine. The only thing I do with mine is knock snow off them, as it can break foliage. A couple of inches is fine, but more than that can be a problem. 

Miss Pink

Thank you for such quick replies! 
I feel much happier now to keep it uncovered but will knock off the snow if/when it comes.

Obelixx

Good drainage is the key.  They don't like wet feet in cold winters but are otherwise surprisingly hardy - down to -15C which is quite severe in most of the UK..

This may reassure you - https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/phormium/growing-guide 

Miss Pink

Thank you Obelixx for the reply.
I do find the RHS advice contradictory as it says the plants are hardy but then goes on to say they may need wrapping for winter protection.

Fairygirl

As @Obelixx says - the drainage is key for them. They don't like soggy cold feet.
Mine are all in raised beds, in pots, or in borders where there's lots of planting to give them competition for moisture, as we have clay soil, which is heavy and wet.
I can assure you they survive quite extreme conditions. They can look pretty sad after heavy frosts, and they can get shredded by wind and rain, but they're also very straightforward to maintain, as you can cut old, damaged foliage out in spring, and hack lumps off at the base if they get too big. I've grown then for decades, and never lost one despite our wet, cold climate here. 
They benefit from being divided every so often too as it helps retain the variegation, and maintains the colour on the self coloured types. 

Wilderbeast

Mine have survived being moved umpteen times around our garden and I've happily divided them into very sections to create numerous new plants. I yank out all the dead and very floppy leaves in autumn and do try to get in and de-snail them as they harbour loads 🐌🐌

Fairygirl

Snail paradise aren't they @Wilderbeast? 
I check them regularly [usually every day]  in spring /summer and dispatch as required. It's a perfect hiding place for them.

Wilderbeast

Everyday checking @Fairygirl you have too much free time, the mass cull suits me. They just love the habitat of the phormium hence why I split them regularly so the plants don't get so big you can't get in them. 

Fairygirl

We have huge numbers here @Wilderbeast - conditions suit them, so it pays to just have a wee look 
It's really the one I have near the back door that gets the main attention, as it's bigger, and I can never be bothered going in the front garden much. My garden is quite self sufficient, so I need something to do. I didn't realise how self sufficient it was until I retired