Cordyline australis - Cabbage Palm

Size: 0.8m Tall.
Common Name: Cabbage Palm or Torbay Palm.
Situation: Full sun/Part sun, Well-drained soil.
Eventual Height and Spread: 8m x 2m.
Hardiness: Hardy.
Excellent in windy locations.
Larger sizes available.

Known as the Cabbage Palm or Torbay Palm, and looking very much like a palm, and always referred to as a Palm, you will not be surprised to find out that the Cordyline australis is...... not a palm. The Cordyline australis is a tree native to New Zealand and Australia that is very fast growing which grows very very tall.

Cordyline australis has proven hardy in UK gardens for many years but has proven susceptible in the coldest winters, such as experienced in 2009/2010, but in the milder parts of the UK, cordylines once established have proved wonderfully hardy. This is borne out just by the sheer numbers of these large trees you can see in gardens, on seafronts, and other amenity areas.

The Cordyline australis be warned grows fast and grows tall, so make sure this is allowed for when siting the tree. Cordyline australis can be used as a standalone specimen either planted or potted, or at the back of beds to offer height and structure. It is one of the best choices for very windy/exposed/coastal areas.

The Cordyline requires very little care once established, watering is generally unnecessary and feeding is rarely necessary, unless planted in a container. If containerised water regularly throughout dry spells and feed the Cordyline monthly from late May to early September.

A great point of conjecture with the Cordyline australis is what to do with the old leaves. Some will leave the old leaves hanging down to form a 'skirt' as is done in its natural environment, or our preference is to cut back the old leaves keeping a nice, tidy and clean trunk.

Cordyline australis comes in many different colours, but this green variety does keep better condition and colour than other varieties.

Cordyline australis is also known as the Cabbage Palm, Cabbage tree, or Torbay Palm.