Sorry, Croc, but I stick with Cordyline Australis simply because its so damned *tough*. When I think of the myriad ways in which I have neglected that species in favour of my 'prima donnas' in other areas of the garden, I am somewhat ashamed, but there you go. Week after week, sun or shade, they just seem to keep on truckin' : cant really ask more of a plant than that, can you ?

Artie,well said,the Australis is ours and an exeptional plant I would never knock them,thanks for the input,Graeme.

Well sorry but I would have to disagree on the advice about Cordyline australis!

The simple fact of the matter is that Cordyline australis is hopeless in coastal Queensland. It grows well in Toowoomba and other highland areas but it simply hates the heat and humidity of the coast.

It originates from New Zealand and I know that the 'Southern' garden show compares will tell you that they will grow well in Queensland but the simple fact is that they don't. You may get 1 or 2 or even a few years out of them but eventually they all seem to succombe to our summers.

I don't recommend them for anywhere north of about Coffs Harbour.

Unfortunately many nurseries in Queensland sell thousands of them, either on purpose (knowing fully that they will fail) or by ignorance. My advise is to steer clear of them but if you want to grow them then maybe try them in pots or better still grow some of the tropical Cordyline fruticosa varieties. There are quite a few large landscaping cultivars available that will tolerate full or near full sun conditions.

Don't get me wrong I think that they are lovely plants and I would dearly like to grow them but I don't want to waste my money on something that is 'out of climate'.

Andrew.

I agree that Cordyline Australis is a good plant but I will mention that it originates from New Zealand, not that that is a bad thing.

We certainly have our Australian natives such as cordyline stricta which I think is great as an accent plant. If you want colour I suggest cordyline fruticosia cultivars such as 'Ethel rose, 'Francis', 'Jaffa', 'Nancy', 'Mistique', 'Kiwi', 'Lazy bones', 'Hawian Sunrise' just to name a few, although this is jst my suggestion

Checkout cordyline.org and come along to the tropical foliage festival this Sunday at Mt Cootha Botanical gardens this Sunday if you want to pick up some cordyline bargins (plus more),

regards,

Scott

Yes I like the colours,as a matter of fact I bought an Havaiin Sunrise at Rainforest Seclusions,what a beauty.Thanks for the warning on Australis Andrew,one thing that does put me off them are the thin leaves,just doesn,t go right.Jaffa and Nancy I looked those up and are in my little black book,as is Kiwi.Can someone tell me the sizes,There are large and compact,I,m looking for some in between to about a metre,any names would be appreciated,thanks,Greame.

Hi Andrew,

I admit that I purchased C Australis with all the naivety of someone who just wanted something 'tropical-looking' for my garden, and the name made it sound like it would handle our summers without problems. I guess we'll find out in February, traditionally a (very) hot and humid month in Rocky.

This is a problem that I have faced continually in choosing 'tropical' plants : I do my homework on the natives which form the majority of my garden, but I tend to lose the plot when it comes to the (predominately exotic) range of tropical plants on offer from local nurseries. I just naturally assume that they will only require shade, mulch and water - what more could a plant ask for ?

Greencroc,

Jaffa and Nancy both have 'juno'(fat) leaves. Kiwi has standard leaves. All three are of moderate plant size and won't grow large like Negra or Pink Diamond for example.

Artiew,

All you can do is try them out, you might just have a spot where they will survive but a lot of people have been caught out with them in the past. They do look great and I would dearly love to be able to grow them. I noticed that one of our local nurseries that sells them have had some of their stock collapsing from the heat already.

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew very much,that is great as they are ones that caught my eye,on the web-site but couldn,t tell the difference.Artie,my grandmother when we lived in North Qld,had large green and white edged types,but I think they were Dracaena the frogs lived in them,got up to 2 maybe 3 meters.The old cabbage tree wow 8 meters.The Dracs thrived up there,Graeme.

Graeme, My experience with Cordyline fruiticosa is not
great, I have been collecting for only about 12 months, but from my short experience still be wary of some varieties . They look great in Summer and in the tropics but there are a few that don't like our winters in S.E.
Qld. The only orange that has thrived for me is one called 'Tangelo'. Other 'tough' varieties are 'Greg's Puzzle', 'Francis' 'Waltzing Matilda''Im Blushing'and 'Red Robin'. Try to steer clear of purples .The ones I have grown need the 'right' spot . For me just not tough enough. If it needs pampering, forget it! As a whole though, they really are a great plant to grow , very rewarding. No tropical garden should be without them.

I have found that there are hundreds of fruticosias that thrive in SEQ. Many infact are becoming a popular landscape plant in places as far South as Sydney. Although they may go 'off' a bit in late Winter they do colour up in climates with a bit more coolness during Winter as many varieties need the cool to bring out the best in colour.

As for what varieties, there are really too many to mention although I find the pinks / reds colour well.

Scott

Thanks Silvercargo,Scott,have been looking up sites,Palm fascinations and Cordyline Soc,certainly I can agree with both your letters,good advice,good way of thinking in colours and I do have a Rubra Fruiticosa doing well,many thanks.

I won't enter into the merits of the different C. fruticosa cultivars, but when it comes to the other species, I have seen the SE Qld native C. petiolaris used to very good effect in some landscaping schemes recently. It's a very handsome plant, especially when bearing its very crowded spikes of brilliant red fruit. Equally fine in its own way is C. manners-suttoniae from central-north Qld.

The NZ species are hardly relevant to tropical gardens, but the Norfolk Island C. obtecta is a fine plant, if you could ever find a source for it, and it should be climatically adapted to S Qld at least

I endorse my namasake's suggestion of C. petiolaris, which at my place in SEQ grows like a weed and looks fantastic, especially as noted when covered in it's long hanging strings of berries.
Tony

Yes, the natives are all good. Along with the ones mentioned try Cordyline rubra, congesta, stricta, cannifolia and murchisoniae. These are all easy to grow, I even have a couple of variegated forms.

If anyone is serious about growing Cordyline fruticosa cultivars they just have to get a copy of the NEW CD "Cordylines A - Z". It has been produced by one of Australia's leading Cordyline specialists and contains descriptions, growing conditions and colour photos of over 640 Cordylines.

Andrew.

Andrew, Where did you get the variegated forms? Were they a sport or are they named?
I also agree regarding C. petiolaris. this is a great native cordyline. The summer sun sometimes burns and bleaches the leaves so filtered light is best.
I have the CD Andrew mentioned. Fantastic. Highly recommended.

A couple of us ex-Cordyline Society members have some variegated natives. They are sports and seedlings from the species. I have a variegated manners-suttoniae and there and petiolaris but there are also forms of variegated rubra out there.

Andrew.

Was looking out on to my side tropcal garden from the porch yesterday,there it was it clicked,two beautiful green cordyline looking plants,I raced inside to find the tag in a book,there it was petiolaris had it for two years a lovely looking plant doing very well,Graeme.

Greencroc
In the latest cordyline society magazine, the main feature is a 'My Top 12 Cordylines' article.

Hi Tamoure,is that the October issue,I only just joined,Graeme.

Yes, the 'October' issue that just came out in 'December'

Yes greencroc, it is in the October edition which came out a few days ago (in December). I think the heading is 'cordylines in landscaping'.
You may find it interesting.

GREAT to see non members of the International Cordyline Society promoting our Society and Magazine the Ti-Talk and Tropical Connections.

As the International Cordyline Society is the only specialist Society promoting Cordylines anyone looking for information should email secretary@cordyline.org

Your queries will be answered by one of our many experts on fruticosa and native cordylines.

I Gardening,have been in contact with Rainforest Seclusions,on this web site I,m asking people their favourites,what they like best for a discussion,yet I have found out more because the people on this web site are so helpful and also I rarely get out due to illness but when I do I like to go and buy some plants.Thanks for the info on queries I didn,t know that thought Mrs Lyons would have enough to do,Greencroc.

Greencroc, sorry to hear you can't get out much, but I know you enjoy your beautiful plants - best of luck with your inquiries from the ICS.
igardening - I am still having a great chuckle.

Greencroc, You have generated a most interesting and varied discussion on one of my favorite subjects. I have been growing Cordylines for several years, a few Aust. natives and about 300 fruticosa varieties and have a different favorite each week. They love fertilizer and your application seems fine.I use Organic Xtra and Seasol mixed with Fungicide as foliar spray, kills 2 birds with one stone.
I now have the CD that Andrew & Silvercargo mentioned. The photos are magnificent and infomation invaluable. I got mine through "The International Tropical Foliage and Garden Society".
I have noticed that my Cordylines are still producing Winter coloured leaves, most unusual for this time of year. Is it just mine or are they doing it all over?

Reg.

Hello Reg,pleased you could join in,somebody might know about the winter colouring,all I know is mine are starting to show their true colours with the thrive soluble and Osmocote.That is a good idea about seasol and foliar spray.Between the thrive and Osmocote not much difference,both good.Have heard a lot on the CD,very popular Reg.I will say this much when you talk about the winter colour,the Angela I have still has the same bright pink at the top as it did during winter,regards Graeme.

Hello Graeme,
It is raining and it has occured to me that we have had a lot more overcast days(not always rain)with humidity, and that could be the trigger to promoting good colour. I was thinking about my favorites and the list is so long, but an absolute must in the garden is 'white' and a couple of good hardy ones are Diana and Benaraby White.
Angela is a pretty little one. My Cameo is doing likewise.
Regards Reg

Yes reg quite a few of the ones with white are lovely,Haole Jade I have,Old Kulara beautiful haven,t got it,Gichi Tagami a real winner.I never had a good look at Cameo but now that I have very pretty.Hawaiian Sunrise is a lovely plant and Kilauea got two of them,Regards Graeme.