Phormium 'Sundowner' is a magnificent cultivar of Phormium tenax with a stunning colour range of foliage striations that vary through coppery-red, pink, bronze, soft orange and creamy yellow together with green. It is an aptly named plant and when the low sun shines through the leaves it creates a wonderful translucent effect that is a genuine joy. Simple pleasures like that are what gardening is all about.

Phormiums like full sun and a slightly moist soil although they will tolerate drier conditions. Like all Phormium tenax cultivars, 'Sundowner' will grow to a large size and given time will form a huge clump. This needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the ideal site for it. Give it enough space and position it well away from paths, fences and buildings so it can create its dramatic visual explosion of ornamental foliage without getting in the way.

Phormium 'Sundowner' with its strong colourful foliage is probably the best Phormium tenax cultivar for creating a powerful and exotic architectural statement and it works well with a wide range of planting combinations. It is a plant that both designers and gardeners should experiment with more often providing they have enough space to accommodate its increasing size.

Highly recommended.