Phormium Jack Spratt

Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Common Names: Dwarf Flax, Jack Spratt Flax
Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin: New Zealand (cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen Perennial / Dwarf Flax

Overview:

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is a compact, dwarf New Zealand flax with rich, chocolate-bronze foliage. This tidy, clumping variety is perfect for small spaces, containers, borders, and mass planting. With its elegant, arching leaves and year-round structure, 'Jack Spratt' brings bold colour and texture to modern, native, and low-maintenance gardens.

Key Features:

Foliage: Narrow, upright to slightly arching leaves in deep bronze-brown tones, often with a subtle olive or reddish hue depending on light. Evergreen and tidy in form, maintaining its colour throughout the year.

Flowers / Fruit: May produce small, upright flower spikes in summer, though flowering is less common in dwarf forms. When it occurs, flowers are typically reddish and attract birds.

Form & Habit: Dense, clumping habit with tidy, upright foliage. Excellent as a low-growing contrast plant or border edge.

Growth Rate: Moderate

Cultural & Ecological Value: Provides year-round structure and colour in native plantings. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it ideal for sustainable gardens. Attractive to birds when flowering.

Mature Size:

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Landscaping & Garden Uses:

• Borders & Edging: Perfect for defining paths or garden beds

• Containers & Courtyards: Excellent in pots for patios or entranceways

• Mass Planting: Create bold, low-maintenance ground cover with strong colour contrast

• Modern & Native Gardens: Suits structured or informal designs

• Coastal & Dry Gardens: Thrives in exposed or dry conditions

Care & Maintenance:

Pruning: Remove any damaged or old leaves at the base to maintain a clean form. Trim dead flower stalks after flowering if present.

Watering: Water during dry spells in the first 1–2 years; minimal irrigation required once established.

Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring. Avoid overfeeding to maintain compact growth.

Pests & Diseases: Generally pest- and disease-free. Watch for mealybug or scale in overly damp or crowded conditions.

Additional Tips: Mulch in summer to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Combines beautifully with grasses, succulents, and other compact natives.

Fun Fact / Botanical Insight:

Named after the nursery rhyme character “Jack Spratt,” this flax cultivar is one of the smallest Phormiums available, offering the strong visual impact of traditional flaxes in a much more compact form—perfect for urban gardens and tight spaces.

Why Choose Phormium 'Jack Spratt'?

Compact, colourful, and incredibly tough, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is the ideal choice for modern gardens needing low-maintenance structure in a small space. Its deep bronze tones and dwarf form make it a standout for borders, containers, and design-driven native plantings.

Pot Size:

These are XL size in 1.5 llitre round pots.