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The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Cordylines

Cordyline species and cultivars

Cordylines are colourful foliage plants which have become very popular in recent years, partly because the range of varieties available in the marketlace has expanded, and partly because they are so complimentary to modern landscaping styles. Depending on the variety you choose, they can deployed in lush tropical gardens or as tough potted accents for a contemporary patio.
On other pages:

Where to buy Cordylines in Qld

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JAC'S ORNAMENTAL GRASSES PLUS

58-60 Jones Rd,
Bellbird Park, Qld
Ph: (07) 3389 2319
Mob: 0439 500 794
Email: jacsplants@hotmail.com
illustration
Jac's Ornamental Grasses Plus specialises in ornamental grasses and grass-like plants, plus other good quality plants at realistic prices.

Wide variety of low-water use plants including succulents, yuccas, bromeliads and natives. Also clumping bamboo, gingers, cordylines and many others.

Most of the plants for sale can be seen growing in the display gardens, so you can get ideas for your place.

Statues and water features also available.

Open to the public Wednesday to Saturday 7am - 4pm, or by appointment. Contract growing by arrangement.

GARDEN EXPRESS

Garden Express

To check the current range of cordylines on offer and their availability, visit the GardenExpress WEBSITE
Most general garden centres in warm parts of Qld are likely to stock some cordylines.

However, gardeners looking for particular cultivars or a wider selection may have trouble. If you're a retail nursery that specialises in cordylines (including online or mail order nurseries), please get in touch about advertising.

Meanwhile, look out for plant sales held by specialist societies and individual collectors (check the Events Diary).

More Information

Cordyline fruticosa

(synonyms: Coryline terminalis, Dracaena terminalis)

Until recently, this group of cordylines was probably be the most familiar to the average Queensland gardener. They've become especially popular in recent years with the rise of the "Balinese" gardening style in Australia. Cultivars come in a huge range of foliage colours and patterns.
  • easy to grow and reasonably drought tolerant
  • long-lasting colour (mass for best effect)
  • variety of sizes and colours to choose from
  • great for creating Balinese or other tropical-style style gardens
  • cut back if the canes become leggy
  • suitable for containers
  • suitable for planting under trees
  • try dark colours in sunnier positions

Cordyline australis and hybrids

C. australis or Cabbage Tree, is native to New Zealand, and is also quite popular in cultivation. Some commercial cultivars are hybrids with other species such as C. banksii and C. pumilo. The elongated foliage gives a dramatic spikey look which is popular in modern, minimalistic garden styles, particularly as accents in pots.

Tend to be tough and drought tolerant, for sunny positions.

Selected forms include foliage with purple, red and yellow tones. Some commercial cultivars have been selected for a low, clumping growth habit especially for pots and accent planting.

Australian Native Cordylines

There are several Australian native Cordyline species. These are less spectacular than the commonly cultivated types, althought displays of berries can be quite attractive. They are certainly a must for an Australian native rainforest-style garden.

More Links

NB: You may sometimes encounter Cordyline classified as Dracaena in older literature.

Australian Native Cordylines Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland Region, Inc.
Australian Cordylines Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Cordylines - Palm Lilies Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Cordyline petiolaris Coastal Plant Regeneration, Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, NSW
Cordyline stricta Coastal Plant Regeneration, Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, NSW
Slender Palm Lily (Cordyline stricta) At "Grow Me Instead", Australia
Cordyline congesta Coastal Plant Regeneration, Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, NSW
Cordyline obtecta Department of the Environment and Heritage
Cordyline rubra, Red fruited Palm-lily The Florez Nursery blog, NSW
Cordylines (Cordyline fruticosa) At "Grow Me Instead" (an Australian website informing gardeners about safer alternatives to invasive ornamentals)
Cordyline fruticosa Flora of China at efloras.org (some information on taxomomy and nomenclature including synonyms)
Cordyline fruticosa (L. ) Part of "Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands: Systems for Sustainability", United Nations University Press. Descibes some of the uses for this plant in the Pacific region
Cordyline - Ti Plant Commercial Foliage Crop Production Notes, University of Florida, USA
Ki (Ti) The Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawai`i
Cordyline fruticosa Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database, Bishop Museum
Cordyline fruticosa Trees of Miami, Florida, USA
Magnesium Deficiency in Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) A photograhic illustration. University of Florida NutDef Plant Nutrient Deficiency Database
Cordyline, in pots 2002 - 2003 A Royal Horticultural Society (UK) trial (PDF) of C. australis cultivars and hybrids
Cordyline australis National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland
Cabbage Tree Cordyline australis. The-Tree, UK
New hybrid cabbage trees Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture
Cordyline 'Red Fountain' The Florez Nursery blog, NSW
Cordyline indivisa National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland
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