Cordyline australis 'Southern Splendour'
cabbage palm (syn. Cordyline australis 'Southern Splendour')
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Slow
- Flowering period: July to August
- Hardiness: Fost hardy (may need winter protection)
'Southern Splendour', an evergreen beauty, starts as a cluster of vibrant olive-green leaves adorned with striking pink margins and delicate stripes, later evolving into an upright shrub. Drought-resistant and adaptable once established, this versatile plant elevates any garden or container, bringing elegance to decks and patios and making a remarkable statement as a stunning landscape feature for sheltered gardens. Established specimens can yield sizable clusters of petite, fragrant, pinkish-white blooms during the summer season.
Choose a sunny, warm spot, sheltered from strong, cold winds. No pruning required. Old, dead leaves can be pulled away from the base. In spring when new growth appears and all danger of hard frosts has passed, cut back frost-damaged branches to just above the newly formed shoots.