Bracts
Jonathan >
The flower stems of New Zealand Flax [Phormium Tenax] grow at about 15cm/6in a day – or even double that. Next stage is when the sheaths around the developing flower bracts fall away, the bracts unfold and then start pushing out further and swelling up – the individual flowers opening out. The tips of the flower stamens are already appearing!
This is the first year I’ve EVER had a phormium bloom. And two of them are doing it, five spikes in total. Must have been last year’s stonking summer. A repeat performance next year might be challenging..
D > Last year we had none at all – none from any of the varieties. This year some are flowering, others not. A couple of years ago, every single plant was flowering! We haven’t yet worked out what the flower-power factor is!