Phormium

Looking for phormum to trade or a mail order source in the US to purchase.

I looked on the web because I wasn't sure what phorium was. Found a site with several different ones. I have seen a couple available in the US. Which one are you looking for? Here's the site with the pics. http://www.ukitreenursery.com/PhormiumList.html

I'm looking for any but the more color the better.

I have heard that phormiums grow very slowly, which may be why there aren't a lot available from mail-order sources. I usually only see them sold in 5 gallon pots or larger. They are often used in landscapes, so you may be able to find some at wholesale nurseries in your area.

They seem to be more readily available in California for some reason but I haven't had much luck here in Florida. I did find a couple US sites that I bookmarked for the spring.

I believe I saw this variety locally for the last 2 years at one nursery. It won't be open till late April/earlyMay. I'll be glad to check it out for you if you like. http://www.ukitreenursery.com/PhormiumNZFlag.html

I saw this one in a catalog that I got in the mail last spring. If your interested I'll try to try to find which company it was and if they still have it. http://www.ukitreenursery.com/PhormiumMaoriChieftain.html

Thanks Kathy,
I would appreciate it.
Jan...

I'm wondering if Florida might have too much humidity for phormiums. That would explain why the the nurseries in Florida aren't carrying them.

It's rather dry here in California, with low humidity, so the phormiums do really well.

I'll try this again.

I bought one about 3 or 4 years ago from a Chattanooga nursery and it has been in the same pot since. It must be quite hardy from hot, dry conditions to fairly cold and wet conditions (low 20's maybe occasional teens). I mulch each year and add slow release fertilizer.

Here are some good locations that I've found on the web.

Heronswood Nursery has most available for mail orders, Baron Brothers, and Monterey Bay. There is a great site for information in the UK.

Here are the nurseries:
http://heronswood.com/
http://www.baronbrothers.com/phormiums.asp
http://montereybaynsy.com/P.htm

Great info site.
http://www.houseleeks.freeserve.co.uk/phormium.htm

Thanks for the website Hcmcdole.
I would love to find some phoriums also. I been looking for them for sometime now. If I find any Budgielover I will let you know.


Patti

There is a grower in Ca now that is growing them in 1 gallon cans. They are not cheap though., about $20. I have only seen them at the better nurseries. I am hoping there will be more colorful ones in the1 gallon cans this summer. I have quite a few and love them all. They are used here all over in public plantings to private yards. Some get huge!

I pay up to $50 for the good colored ones in 5 gallon cans. That hurts!

This is my favorite one, it is an upright and its color is so bright and stable. If you see it grab it. They get sold out here immediately. The Guardsman. I saw one in a yard here that was huge. When the sun hits it, it is truly amazing.

Thanks Kell of the info. It is stunning.
Patti

I just love this one too! It goes by the name the Jester. I have seen it by another name also, but I can't locate it now in my mind. Be careful though if you order it, I have seen some called the Jester that have hardly any pink.

This one has the relaxed look with the leaves arching down. The color is not stable either, so green or taupe colored leaves will come up and need to be taken out to keep it pink.

Drooling here, and running to find a bib. LOL . Thanks for the info.
Patti

I usually go for the gaud look Patti, but there are some that are a beautiful green, and a taupe and even a tan one that look incredible. They have an interesting take on each color.

They are so large though and really need a space off from other things to see the full beauty of them. That is not my small yard. All of mine are in pots and sadly crowded in. Some are incredible fountains of leaves too. I keep meaning to stop and take pictures of all the shapes they come in. I have noticed in public plantings they sport quite freely.

I've got this one. http://davesgarden.com/journal/edit/showimage.php?eid=59666
Don't know it's name, found at a local nursery about 3-4 years ago. I really love it and would love to find some other colors. I'll be happy to divide a piece off for you later in the spring.

That may be Pink Stripe. A very pretty one!

Thanks Jody,
I'd love to work out a trade in the spring.
Jan...

Thanks Kell! That sure looks like it could be the same...


Jan if I don't dg mail ya by the end of March be sure to drop me a reminder note.

Well ladies you both have very beautiful phormiums. If you ever want to trade any please let me know.
Thanks,
Patti

Will do.

rose I'm sure I can get 2 divisions ;) just as noted above, be sure to send me a reminder if I don't dg mail ya by the end of March.

Beautiful phormiums! I'd love to find some more too.

Thanks Jody will do.

Lilystrom, I only know the nurseries around my area, but Regan's has a good selection as does Golden Nursery in San Mateo. Navlets has them at the most reasonable prices but it is hit and miss there. Golden Nursery also had quite a few 1 gallon cans of them last time I was there, but they make you pay a lot for them. Ther eis a littlenurseryin Sna Leandro i have gotten a few from, evergreen. They usually have some colorful ones.

I noticed Home Depot had them the last 2 months, 5 gallon ones but very limited varieties. I can't remember what I paid, I think $29. Here is the one I got. A really full pot.

Beautiful Kell,
I was just at my HD this weekend and nothing there. They did have 6ft blooming yellow brugs for 49.99 which was unusual for them.
Jan...

Hi Jan,
I just saw this and have some Wings of Gold, the varigated one, a dark wine colored one and a green one that I got a couple of years ago.

If you still have your echinopsis cactus for trade, I would love to have them. I have 10 fans of the Wings of Gold rooted in pots that I was getting ready for the Roundup here in CA at DrDon's in July. But have enough to trade. The others I have to dig up.

Antoinette


This message was edited Jan 11, 2006 7:18 PM

Hi Antoinette,
I'll d-mail you.

Hi Gourd,
I hope you don't mine me asking, but are you looking for anything else to trade for the Phormiums fans? If so I would love to do a trade .PLMK
Thanks,
Patti

Hi Antoinette! Long time no see. Hope all is well with you!

How did you divide yours out? With a knife? Do these like your hot weather?

Hi there Kell,
So far, the two in front (dark maroon and a greenish/bronze one have been there for three years) they seem to be holding up fine in the heat here, but they are not real tall (about 3 ft if that), I've seen them over 5/6 ft tall here in this area, the Wings of Gold is new to me this year and the container was overflowing already, I took off all the soil with the hose and used a knife to separate the fans. Used some in a couple of Urns with succulents under it. They seem to do better in full sun. One in the back is dark red, in the shade, but did not do as well as the ones out front.

Hi Patti,
Let me e-mail you tomorrow after I dig up some more and I'll let you know what is available. Always looking for wierd cactus. Let me know what you have as far as plants and which one you are interested in.

I am not familiar with Wings of Gold, i will have to look that one up. Great name. So far they have been doing great hee also. I was a little worried since we have so much rain now. But so far no rotting.

Just dug two clumps up and they had lots of fans. They are about four years old. The red maroon colored one was alot smaller and fewer fans, so they are slow to multiply if they took this long.

Kell, they were very easy to take apart, no knife. Let me know if you want to trade also.. I love yours, don't know how long you've had them or if they are big enough to divide yet. I may go out looking for some this afternoon at the box stores, sometimes they have some nice ones, the other nurseries are not as convieniently located for me when I get the itch..lol. I want to get there fast..

I'll post photos of the ones I have divided. Have to upload them on the computer. I had to recharge the batteries on the camera.

Photo 1

#2 bronze closeup

#3 bronze divisions

#4 some Wings of Gold in Urn

#5 Maroon colored

#6 wings of gold closeup

#7 Area where I am stockpiling for the Roundup...lol better start now, I usually procrastinate and land up not going anywhere..