Anyone, Has anyone used New Zealand Flax as hummer food. It's used by birds. havn't read anyhwere that it is a necatr source. They use Cape fuschia so I fugure they will.

ALberto1444

Hi Alberto...Patrick from the Seattle area here...I haven't talked to you in quite awhile.

So - New Zealand flax. I have to say, I was unaware that it has much in the way of blooms! At least I don't think I've ever seen it bloom. If I'm missing something, please fill me in.



Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Hey patrick and Alberto,
This is what I found on the San Marcos Growers website. It sys that it is grown mainly for its foliage but....
"The flowers of Phormium tenax and many of the hybrids are red and held upright. These flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds"

Here is a link to a picture of the flower http://www.smgrowers.com/gardens/flaxphotfl.asp

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I have several NZ Flax that bloom but I've never seen a Hummingbird using one. I've never considered it a nectar source but I'll keep an eye out this year.

**********
Farmer Steve
Deluz, CA usda zone 10a

Farmer Steve, From the picture it appears that it is a scant bloomer and you would probably need a stand of several plants to make a decent showing. Also with so many other great nectar plants that we make available to our hummers they can afford to be selective in the plants that they use.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Thanks Penny. I think I bring the subject up on the GW gardening forum for the PNW & see whether anyone here has seen them bloom. I'll venture a guess that in our climate, these rarely bloom.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Patrick do let us know what you find out over there. It is a plant I wouldn't try here but since we do have others in the PNW, it may be of interest to them also.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

ok Penny


Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Well, 2 local gardeners responded. One said she had a P. 'Pink Strip' that bloomed once, after a hard winter - she said the hummers liked it. The other gardener said there is a large green species Phormium that blooms every year. Phormiums took a real hit in this area this winter.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

So it may be a good accent plant with the added advantage of being hummer friendly but not one you would want to count on.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I'm currently seeing the fiercest fights ever over a blooming Phormium [flax]. Allen's vs. Anna's. They are really attacking each other. And they are on these blooms all day... for quite some time at each bloom, so they must be loaded with nectar. I will post photos later.

Warning: these plants are like chocolate cake for gophers!

Bay Area, CA

Mmmmm...why did you have to mention chocolate cake?! Now I want some!

To date, I can't say I've ever seen a phormium in bloom in my area.

I sometimes wonder if hummers don't fight over flowers or feeders "just because". Recently, my male Anna's was pretty much the only hummer hanging around & he showed little interest in the feeder. But when a couple of Rufous showed up & used the feeder, he suddenly developed a big interest in it. Silly bird.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Patrick, I was tempted to post a photo of chocolate cake, but I guess I'll post some of the New Zealand Flax getting used.

I know what you mean about more fighting simply because there are more hummers around. We have been entertained by the Allen's vs. Anna's fights over this plant! It has actually gotten quite vicious... I really should videotape them.



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Bay Area, CA

What an interesting flower! I had never seen it before.

I've never seen it before either! Very interesting bloom. Looks like a hummer favorite in the Bay Area.

~Becky~


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