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Trees

Cordyline banksii

forest cabbage tree

A single-stemmed, or sometimes multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 3m, producing tufts of broadly lance-shaped, arching leaves to 1m long. Best suited to growing in a conservatory in all but the mildest and most sheltered gardens

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Cordyline are palm-like evergreen shrubs or tree-like perennials, with rosettes or tufts of linear or anrrowly lance-shaped, leathery leaves, and terminal panicles of fragrant, cup-shaped flowers followed by small. spherical berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: New Zealand

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with full light. Water moderately while in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in a warm, south-facing position and provide winter protection; wrap with biodegradable horticultural fleece or bring containers inside if very cold weather is forecast. See cordyline cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed, stem cuttings or removing suckers in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to cordyline slime flux and honey fungus (rarely)

Get involved

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