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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Insignificant |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation: Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Phormium 'Jack Spratt' (New Zealand Flax) - New Zealand Flax cultivar that grows only to 18 inches tall with narrow 1/2" wide twisting reddish-brown leaves. This was the smallest flax that we ever grew. Can tolerate fairly dry conditions (coastal) but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation. Hardy to 15-20 F. Possibly root hardy below these temperatures but with severe foliage damage unless protected. Plant in full sun to light shade. Seems to resent heavy soils - plant on a rise and/or use care not to bury crown when planting. Looks a little more like a grass than a flax. Nice for mass plantings or small containers. We grew this plant grown this plant starting in 1983 and have never seen it bloom. Similar but much smaller than the cultivar 'Surfer'. Phormium 'Jack Spratt' was a selection of Mr. J. Burton of Hamilton, New Zealand. From the nursery rhyme "Jack Spratt could eat no fat. His wife would eat no lean. So between the two of them they licked the platter clean" We grew this interesting small flax from 1983 until 2016 but discontinued it because except in rare conditions, it rarely persisted more than a few years in the landscape.
This description of Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is based on our research and our observations of this plant growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written.
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