Cordyline australis Red Sensation (Cabbage Tree)
Cordyline australis ‘Red Sensation’ (Cabbage Tree) is a palm-like, sub-tropical tree with arching, sword-like, bronze leaves to 28 in. long (70 cm) at the branch tips. Adding drama year-round with its bold color and tropical look, this beautiful cordyline introduces substance to the garden. It produces impressive panicles, 40 in. long (1 m), of small, sweetly scented creamy-white flowers in late spring to early summer, on mature plants.
Cordyline australis 'Red Sensation' (Cabbage Tree) is a palm-like, sub-tropical tree with arching, sword-like, bronze leaves to 28 in. long (70 cm) at the branch tips. Adding drama year-round with its bold color and tropical look, this beautiful cordyline introduces substance to the garden. It produces impressive panicles, 40 in. long (1 m), of small, sweetly scented creamy-white flowers in late spring to early summer, on mature plants. Often seen as a specimen gracing a terrace or deck, it is also well-suited to both traditional and contemporary planting schemes.
- Adds architectural height to the garden and grows with an upright habit up to 10-20 ft. tall (3-6 m) and 5-10 ft. wide (150-300 cm). Will branch to produce several heads over time.
- Easily grown in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Provide occasional to regular irrigation in hot summer climates. Needs a sheltered site. Salt and drought tolerant. Though frost hardy, young Cordyline australis plants are more prone to cold damage. Tie the leaves loosely into a bunch to protect the vulnerable tip.
- Great for beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, gravel gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for cordyline slime flux. Deer resistant
- Propagate by seed, stem cuttings or removing suckers in spring.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
- Cordyline australis is endemic to New Zealand.
Requirements
Hardiness | 9 – 11 |
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Heat Zones | 10 – 11 |
Climate Zones | 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Cordyline |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
Height | 10' – 20' (3m – 6m) |
Spread | 5' – 10' (150cm – 3m) |
Spacing | 60″ – 120″ (150cm – 300cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Salt |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden |