Right here for a change is a little useful information, today I will make a few learned remarks about the mighty Cordyline australis. There is always so many questions in the nursery about Cordylines, how hardy, how tall, how fast, and where to plant, so I thought I’d try just to give you some basics.
Firstly let me clarify a couple of things, the Cordyline australis is not a palm tree. Cordyline australis is also known as the Cabbage Palm or the Torbay Palm, which annoyingly contradicts my initial point, but still trust me, for what it matters the Cordyline australis is not a Palm Tree.
I’m sure from the picture over -> there that you’ve all seen a Cordyline in someone’s front garden, so now we know what we’re talking about lets delve a little deeper.
Background
This Australian tree generally grows from a single woody stem that is topped with a spray of green sword-shaped soft arching leaves.
Growth Habit
At some point as the plant matures it will flower and then divide forming multiple-trunks from that point. This usually occurs from anywhere between the trunk heights of 1m upto 4m.
Probably the main talking point regarding the Cordyline australis is it’s impressive height and it’s even more impressive growth rate. If you are thinking of planting Cordyline australis make sure it’s in a planting area that will appreciate a fair bit of height in as little as 5-6 years.
Where Cordylines work well
The Cordyline australis has an appearance that works well in many different planting schemes such as:
- Australian Plant Schemes
- Tropical Plants Schemes
- Coastal Planting Schemes
- Used at the back of Traditional beds to give height and presence.
Hardiness
Cordyline australis is hardy in most parts of the UK, but it is susceptible to exposure to prolonged bouts of heavy snow such as in the winter of 09/10. Cordyline australis really likes dry soil conditions and certainly do not pamper once established.
Do’s and Don’ts
Not much to worry about really the no no is over-watering, do not over-water Cordyline australis, once established it will pretty well care for itself. Of course water regularly if potted due to the fast draining nature of pots.
Other varieties
There are a myriad of varieties of Cordyline australis, including the ‘Torbay Dazzler’, and the ‘RedStar’ to name but two. But be careful here, most of these varieties are nowhere near as the non-variegated green Cordyline australis. If left unprotected in winter these plants are fairly unreliable and generally do not retain the strong leaf colours that were shown when purchased.
Well now you know. If you’d like to go get yourself one now, click buy Cordyline australis.