Dark Red Flax

There are some beautiful small coloured hybrid flaxes, with a variety of different names, and red-toned leaves. I particularly like this fountain shaped dark red.

Red Flax in Middle Border

The red flax in this photograph is growing by Middle Bridge alongside the path through Middle Garden. It has stayed compact and neat while all around it plants have expanded and filled out. Neighbours include a chocolate brown Corokia, a big bright Yellow Wave flax, and the filler shrub Viburnum Tinus. The picture was taken in late autumn, when the Viburnum starts flowering.

red flax and blue cornflowers

The red and pink sunset colours are like a unifying motif throughout the garden, and I'm always looking out for these flaxes in the plant sales I visit. The coloured stripes are subtle, and help break up the abundance of Moosey greenery and green lawns. They contrast well with other larger flaxes like Yellow Wave.

Flaxes in Pots

Flaxes are also superb growing in a pot, where they don't seem to suffer, even if they're totally squashed in. Nothing seems to eats the flax leaves, and the old leaves are easily removed, to keep the pot tidy.

I actually have quite a cunning flax scheme. I start my flaxes off in pots which are terribly neglected - then I take pity on the plant and put it lovingly into a nice garden spot. Of course, a new replacement flax can now be purchased...