Cordyline australis (Cabbage Palm) – Architectural Evergreen (3 x 9cm Pots)

An upright evergreen with long sword shaped leaves that gives a garden structure and a subtropical look all year.

The plain species carries long grey green leaves. Cordyline australis, the cabbage palm, holds its narrow arching leaves in a fountain on a single stem, and keeps them right through the year. Mature plants throw tall panicles of small, scented, creamy white flowers in early summer that bees and butterflies work over.

Give it full sun or light shade and soil that drains freely, and it will take wind, salt and dry spells once it is established. It is not reliably hardy everywhere in Britain: it is fine in mild, coastal and southern gardens but a hard frost inland can cut it back or kill it, so choose a sheltered spot or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover for the winter. Tying the leaves up over the crown keeps water out of the growing point in a cold spell. Supplied as three young plants in 9cm pots, good for filling gaps or starting a new group.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Cabbage palm, cabbage tree, Torbay palm
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Up to about 3m tall and 1m to 2m wide in time
• Growth Habit: Upright, palm like evergreen shrub on a single stem, in time a small tree
• Perfect For: Patio pots, borders, front gardens, coastal gardens and modern or subtropical planting
• Foliage: Long, sword like, grey green leaves, held all year
• Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer on mature plants
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade in well drained soil, with shelter from hard frost. Young plants grow well in a large container.
• Soil Type: Well drained. It is not fussy once the drainage is right.
• Hardiness: Not reliably hardy everywhere in Britain. Fine in mild, coastal and southern gardens, but a hard frost inland can cut it back, so give it a sheltered spot.
• Maintenance: Low. Pull off the old lower leaves as they brown. No pruning needed.
• Seasonal Interest: All year
• Type: Evergreen architectural shrub