Red Cabbage Tree

A tall growing shrub or small tree from New Zealand that starts out as a palm-like bush and eventually grows up on a tall trunk. Cordyline australis produces a dense mass of long, spiky sword-like dark red leaves on stout branches. On mature plants, large clusters of small, creamy-white flowers are produced in early Summer. The Cabbage Tree is ideal in seaside gardens as a specimen tree or could even be grown in large pots where, being a slow grower, they will be happy for years to come. Most cordylines are hardy in a normal Irish winter.

Site: Very tolerant of coastal exposure
Soil: Well drained normal soils
Position: Full sun
Season of Interest: Evergreen foliage, fragrant, white flowers in Summer
Hardiness: Half hardy (down to – 5°C)
Height: Slowly, eventually up to 25ft (7.5m) Spread: up to 10ft (3m)