The majestic aura that Cordylines present may tempt you to add more of them into your garden, after all, who doesn’t like palm-like trees in their garden to give off a tropical vibe. If you have fallen in love with Cordylines and would like to add a few more of them to your garden, using cuttings is my top recommended method and there are two methods I use. One is to take small shoots off the main stem and the…
Taking cuttings is the quickest and the easiest way to propagate them, especially if you don’t want to wait the few years it could take to get a sizable plant if you are cultivating them by sowing seeds. Taking cuttings from the mother plant ensures that the new plants are exactly the same as the mother plants whereas, seeds don’t always come true to seed, and this will depend on the variety you get. This, in turn, will create uniformity…
Red Cordylines aren’t very hard to miss, quite simply down to not only their colour but an abundance of foliage too. The Cordyline australis Red Star is one out of many different varieties of Cordylines. They are easily identifiable thanks to their long pointed red-bronze leaves that appear in circular clusters. This variety also blooms in the summer, giving you a beautiful display of clusters of tiny white flowers. These will not only brighten up your garden space but also…
Depending on where you come from, you may be used to seeing a certain variety of Cordylines. Did you know there are about 15 different species of Cordylines? There are Cordylines that grow as tall as 5 meters (thats 16ft) and dwarf varieties that thrive in pots and only grow to approximately 2-3ft tall. There are a few Cordyline varieties that are better suited to the less tropical climates such as the UK and some parts of the US where…
The general structure of a Cordyline makes it challenging to prune them because most people are never quite sure where to cut them, especially for those who have never done it before. On top of this, you may worry about ruining the shape or at worst, killing it. With the foliage being the dominant feature, one might expect pruning to be only the removal of the leaves and removal of the flowers (if you are lucky enough to get them)…
An excellent outdoor and indoor plant depending on the variety you choose to grow. Cordylines are decorative shrubs (or small trees) with brightly coloured foliage. You have the hardier and usually more common green Cordyline australis, also commonly known as a cabbage palm, to the more exotic-looking Red Star and Torbay Dazzler. These are just a few varieties to name a few. Originally from New Zealand, they are very popular in both the US and UK and the hardier green…
Unlike diseases, pest attacks on Lavatera shrubs are easily identifiable because the damage shows up on the leaves or the flowers and if you are lucky, you may even see the pest actually snacking on the leaves of your Lavatera. In the cases of caterpillars and slugs, they leave holes in the leaves themselves, whereas pests such as scales will cause leaf discolouration and eventual defoliation. This is where the leaves actually fall from the plant, leaving it looking very…
Cordylines, more commonly known as Cabbage Palms, are typically grown for their striking foliage. This striking foliage comes in an array of colours, from the more common green variety that you will often spot in a neighbour’s garden to the more exotic looking Red Star, Torbay Dazzler and Pink Sunrise Cordylines. Many people don’t think these palm-looking plants produce flowers, but in actuality, they can. However, not all Cordyline varieties can produce flowers. Varieties such as the Cordyline australis (the…
Cordylines are hardy plants that prefer tropical climates but they can also survive in dry and colder climates. These palm-type trees do not thrive in the cold, despite them being evergreen. In cold weather, when the temperatures start to drop and the risk of a prolonged hard frost is high, most Cordylines will need some kind of protection to ensure they can survive the winter. Winter protection is crucial as it prevents the plants from getting slime flux. Slime flux…
Two of the most common questions I often get asked in regards to growing a Cordyline are “Why is my Cordyline dying?” and more importantly, “What can I do in an attempt to save it?” Whilst there is no guarantee that reviving the plant will actually work, there is no harm in trying it. So, what can you do to revive a Cordyline that is dying? The most common reason your Cordyline might be looking like it’s dying is usually…