Cordyline australis
Cabbage tree of New Zealand, Giant Dracaena, Ti
- Height × spread
- 12m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Generally available in late Spring, Summer & early Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A lovely spiky plant of some elegance, this starts off as a fan of leaves but soon begins to hoist itself up on a stout stem. It can eventually become an evergreen tree up to 4m (15ft) high with a clean vertical trunk and forking branches. It settles happily in coastal gardens. There are sometimes creamy white flowers in huge panicles that are deliciously fragrant in June. The plant needs a sheltered spot as hard winters may kill it. The leaves make a rustling sound in breezes, as though engaged in private conversations. In New Zealand the Maoris dried the pith and used it to make a porridge-like substance.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 12m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 4m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during growth
Water young plants regularly to keep soil moist. Mature, well established plants in the ground are drought tolerant and you can leave the soil to dry on the surface for several weeks before deep watering is required. Check plants in pots more often.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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