When people see the Cordyline Australis, they usually think it is a palm tree. It does look like a tropical plant, but it is a shrub able to resist cold weather and snow. It’s also known as cabbage palm, or New Zealand cabbage tree.
You can grow it in your garden even if you are living in the area where winters are too cold for all other palm looking plants. Plant them on some nice, sunny place in your garden, but not near to other plants that will steal its water. This plant loves rain and warm ocean winds, and living near the ocean will surely make them happy.
Every other year you will see numerous scented flowers on your plant. Insects are drowning by its scent, and birds just love resulting berries. Digested berries will be all around, and you will probably have lots of new plants next spring.
It’s quite simple to grow the plant from those berries. Collect them and keep in the cool and dry place until spring, and place the seeds in compost filled pots. It needs extensive watering in this period, and if you want to save you some trouble, put those pots in plastic bags. They will preserve the moisture, and you won’t have to water them every day.
Plants should be at least few feet tall before planting them in your garden. They have delicate root and once you find the place for them, they should stay there. If you mistreat the root, your plant may die. So, make sure to find the perfect place for them.
Anyway, they will survive winter if it isn’t too cold, at least those older plants will. Frost can make lots of damage to leaves, and you will probably see large spots on them. Young plants should be kept in pots, in protected environment, until strong enough. You may keep them in your home, they are more than decorative.
Sun won’t make damage to them, but heat might, if you don’t provide enough water. It requires good drainage, but enough water. Quality fertilizer should be used every month, and it’s best to use liquid one. Your florist will advice you about it.
Every two years your plant will bloom. Maybe you will have to remove some of those flowers. You can safely do so, and you can also remove the growing point before spring, when you want to have more-stemmed plant. Pruning is actually removing old parts of your plant, but you can also shape it.
Cordyline Australis Atropurpurea and Cycas Revoluta (Cycas) are both from the same species. Some types are more delicate, and you should keep them inside. You have to protect them from the heat as well. If you don’t have a greenhouse, enclosed patio will do. Besides, they can really decorate every corner of your home.
This strange shrub really looks like a real tropical plant, and some have bronze shaded leaves, or even purple ones. The best planting period is the spring. This way your plants have enough time to prepare themselves for the winter. Nevertheless, wrap them with something and protect the root with mulch anyway. Cordyline Australis doesn’t require too much trouble, and it will transform your garden.