TIDY UNDER PHORMIUM

Phormium, or New Zealand flax, need little attention, but as they grow the leaves at their base die off. Sometimes they naturally fall to the ground and sometimes they cling on for dear life and need a helping hand to be removed. Clear the base of the phormium by removing these dead leaves – give them a sharp pull. If there’s resistance, cut off stubborn old foliage with a sharp pair of snips. Phormium leaves are immensely tough, and traditionally these fibrous lengths were used for making shelters or leaves were stripped into sections and used as rope or woven into mats and nets.