These New Zealand native plants, with strap like leaves to 1.5 m high and 1 m wide provide great structural contrast in the garden. They are hardy species and often planted on median strips, in public gardens and rockeries. The flowers are orange-red and held upright on a tall stalk above the leaves. Most prefer full-sun but will tolerate almost full-shade. The colour of the variegated cultivars may fade in heavy shade.