New Zealand flax is a common plant along roadsides and actually everywhere. Phormium tenax, or harakeke, was extremely important to the native people, Maori. They used it to make clothing, baskets, rope, and anything that needed a strong fiber. Captain Cook saw the uses for this plant and called it 'New Zealand flax'. The flax most of our clothing comes from is a different plant (Linium) which is the fabric linen we are more familiar with. This photo is from the Phormium collection at Wellington Botanic Garden.

As an ornamental, New Zealand flax is a nice garden plant. Its coarse, upright texture adds interest in the garden and the flowers are attractive in the spring. The dark seedpods are also interesting. There are many cultivars of NZ flax: yellow, purple, striped, etc. Most of these come from another species, Phormium cookianum.  This photo is from a private garden on the walking track on the Kelvin Peninsula near Queenstown. Unfortunately, NZ flax is not hardy in Minnesota and is only seen in mild climates, similar to England or California.