Cordyline australis 'Red Comet'
cabbage palm 'Red Comet'
An erect, sparsely branched evergreen tree to 6m, bearing burgundy red, sword-shaped leaves to 70cm long at the branch tips. In summer, mature trees produce a mass of tiny, creamy-white flowers in dense clusters to 1m long. A good container plant when young, and makes an architectural tree when mature
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream | Red | ||
| Autumn | Red | |||
| Winter | Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Young plants may require winter protection in very cold areas. See cordyline cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings or removing suckers in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Bedding
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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