This article has been checked for horticultural accuracy by Oliver Parsons.
18.02.2024 - 08:30 / gardenersworld.com
Cordyline is a bold and handsome evergreen shrub that slowly develops a tree-like form. It has a dramatic and exotic appearance with an attractive architectural shape, forming either a single trunk or multiple stems topped with dense tufts of long, narrow, leathery leaves. Cordyline is sometimes known as cabbage palm, New Zealand cabbage tree or Torbay palm, although it isn’t actually a palm tree or anything to do with cabbage.
The most widely grown species is Cordyline australis which is native to New Zealand. It has plain green leaves, although there’s a range of cultivars with variegated, coloured or multi-coloured foliage. Green-leaved forms are largest and fastest-growing and can reach around 5 metres high. Coloured and variegated varieties are less vigorous and rarely grow larger than 2.5-3 m high, and less when grown in containers.
While foliage is the main appeal of cordylines, mature plants can also produce large clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers in summer.
How to grow cordylineDespite the exotic appearance of cordylines, they are reasonably hardy and can survive the winter outside in mild areas or sheltered sites outside with winter temperatures down to around -5° C. They do best in well-drained soil.
In cold regions, grow cordylines in pots and then move them under cover for winter, or wrap them to protect them from frost.
Growing cordylines: jump linksGrow cordyline as a specimen plant in a lawn or border where its strong vertical shape makes a handsome contrast to other plants. Cordylines with green leaves do best in full sun while those with
This article has been checked for horticultural accuracy by Oliver Parsons.
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