As we receive so many questions, phone calls and emails regarding Cordylines, I thought it would be a good idea to set out a few of the basics regarding caring for Cordylines. In this article I refer specifically to the green non-variagated Cordyline australis.
The vast majority of customers refer to the Cordyline as a palm tree, which infact it's not, to be honest, it doesn't really matter how it's classified, what matters is that if you are considering buying a Cordyline then you know how to look after it.
A bit about the tree itself
Cordylines are evergreen trees native to Australia, they are also known as the Cabbage palm or the Torbay palm. There are now many varieties if Cordyline available, some with spectacular striped foliage, others with just different coloured foliage such as the popular Cordyline australis 'Red Star'. Unfortunately in the UK climate these other varieties prove less hardy and less reliable than the non-variegated green Cordyline.
How the Cordyline Grows
The Cordyline grows tall and grows quickly. There are few plants that can make such an impression in such a short period, growing to over 4m in the space of a few years. The plant is single-trunked but will divide to become multi-trunked after several years of growth. This division usually occurs after flowering.
Where to grow Cordylines
The Cordyline australis is Mr Flexible, it has an appearance that works well in many different planting schemes which include:
- Australian Plant Schemes
- Tropical Planting Schemes
- Coastal Planting Schemes
- Used at the back of Traditional beds to give height and presence.
As mentioned above Cordylines are widely used in coastal planting, due to the excellent tolerance to windy conditions, so if you are looking to make impact in an exposed/coastal situation the Cordyline australis is a very very good option.
Hardiness
Cordyline australis is hardy in most areas of the UK, but it is susceptible to damage in prolonged bouts of snow such as in the UK winter of 09/10.
Do's and Don'ts
A simple plant to care for, just give an annual tidy up of old leaves and that will do. The only other consideration is watering, which is rarely necessary unless the plant is potted. Water-logging will upset Cordylines so do not plant in very poor draining soils.
As you can see this fantastic specimen tree is very simple care for, just follow these guidelines to get the very best from your Cordyline australis.
Matt Barfoot works for Athelas Plants which is a leading supplier Cordylines as well as other Exotic Plants.
Athelas Plants is a retail and online exotic plant nursery in Ninfield, East Sussex, UK.
For more care tips and recommendations on where to purchase your Cordyline australis, visit us at: http://www.athelasplants.co.uk
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