Cordyline fruticosa

Cordyline fruticosa

Today I will be talking about Cordyline fruticosa, a highly variable variety of the one species originating in New Guinea.

It is native to tropical southeastern Asia, Papua New Guinea, northeastern Australia the Indian Ocean, and parts of Polynesia.

It is a popular ornamental plant with numerous cultivars available, many of them selected for green or reddish or purple foliage.

• There are now many different colours and forms. Even though tropical in origin, they can grow as far south as Melbourne and are very commonly cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas.

• Just about every nursery on the Coffs Coast has them. They are very spectacular and some have nearly all the colours of the rainbow.

• Cordylines are very easy to grow in full sun or shade. They are quite drought hardy and tolerate less favourable soil.

• Some of the following photos are of plants in my garden.

• Growth is quite slow but the large-leaf varieties are a bit quicker, eventually growing to five metres though most will never get that big.

Cordylines have few pests and diseases but grasshoppers and caterpillars love them.

They look amazing when planted in groups of different shapes and colours and no tropical garden is complete without them.

• So, if you want to brighten up a dull garden and get that tropical look, the Cordyline fruticosa is one of the best and there’s a different size, colour and shape for you.

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