Endemic to New Zealand Phormium cookianum is a very useful plant for any native planting.
Despite its common name the New Zealand Mountain flax Phormium cookianum is found throughout New Zealand on coastal slopesto above treeline, among scrub or grasses.
Phormium cookianum is smaller than the New Zealand flax Phormium tenax and has more drooping leaves. Phormium tenax leaves are more stiff and erect.
The seed capsules of the Phormium cookianum are droping and twisted and not erect and angled as in  P.tenax.
The flowers are a source of nectar for the native birds, especially the tui and the bellbird. 
Most of the flax cultivars are derived from Phormium cookianum.

• H 1m x W 1m
• Full sun and semi shade
  
• Tolerates dry conditions
• Wind hardy
• Provides food for native birds