Botanical name
Cordyline australis
Other names
Cabbage tree, Palm lily, Cabbage palm, New Zealand cabbage palm, New Zealand dragon plant, Torbay palm
Genus
Cordyline
Species
C. australis – C. australis is a architectural, palm-like, evergreen tree with long, sword-shaped, leathery leaves and large panicles of fragrant, creamy flowers in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are highly scented.
Tree shape
Single stemmed palm, cycad or tree
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Cream, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Propagation methods
Seed, Suckers
Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Coastal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in moist, free-draining soil in full sun or light shade, in a sheltered position.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered