Gone crazy

Folks,this Phormium was liberated from a garden in Bromley several years ago and until now has remained quite compact,but since the flood in July,which saw it under 2ft of water,it's gone crazy and doubled in size.I must trim it so the kiddies we 'mind' don't injure themselves on it as they race around,but how?..it's like trying to cut wire and I'd rather let it live instead of just hacking it!

 

Boy that is nice Pal. I've got one P. tenax and after 3 years it just looks sad. Should I try flooding it this summer? Or we could swap? :D

 

Hi Pal, how you doing?

Not really something you can prune, are they?
Is it really dangerous?
If it is, I think you need to either move it or get rid of it.
Pity though, because its looking good.

 

Why not divide it Nick, what makes up a large clump of Phormium is really lots of smaller plants.

 

I hate doing anything with phormiums or yucas. A very sharp serated knife or sharp secatears is the best way to cut unnwanted or dead leaves.

 

Not a job to do now, but rather than cutting it back (not sure how this would help and it wouldn't look particularly attractive afterwards), what about digging it up and dividing it? Phormiums may be used as shrubs, but they are really evergreen herbaceous perennials, and can be treated as such by dividing them.

Be warned though you will need at least 2 people just to lift a plant that size (watch your back), and will need something like a big sharp spade or maybe a saw to cut the plant's rhizome (rootstock) up. Divisions could be any size you like, divide into individual crowns if you like (and want to go into business as a phormium seller!), but sections about 6 inches across are about right. Another tip is try to tie the leaves up while you are 'operating' on it, the leaves will drive you mad otherwise and the tips could harm your eyes. Replant divisions in location of choice.

Timing? Dont do it now wait until the weather is warmer and drier in spring, they dont like cold or wet, particularly if they have been disturbed.

I understand your problem. I have a phormium which was bought from a local market about 5 or 6 years ago. It stayed in a pot for a while before planting it out as part of a revamp (to replace a large shrub). 3 years ago we realised it had got too big for the site and decided to move it. It was split in two and replanted. By last spring one of the divisions had gotten as large as the original plant and had to move yet again, It was again divided in 2 and replanted. I could have divided it more, but I didn't want any more plants! We now have 3 mature plants, all nearly as large as the original 1. i think they have enough space to be left alone for a bit, but who knows? If we get another warm wet summer like last they might need seeing to again pretty soon!

 

hi Pal
keep the plant
get rid of the kids :rolleyes: :(

 

Oh Kathy you are so naughty! :D
Beautiful monster plant Pal looks like in a few years I'll be dividing mine if they get as big as that!
Hope you can keep it, such a shame to get rid of those wonderfully coloured leaves.
Helen.xxx.

 

Didn't realise she was such a beauty...reckon I'll widen the border and keep her good looks instead.

 

hi Pal, I have 8 different types of Phormium plants, I planted them all in moist soil together with the recent rains these beauties have grown taller than me. I am 5'1" tall.

I love them because they are low maintenence and gives your garden colour in the winter.

Fancy.