Cordylines' color, form create landscape standouts

Cordyline is a diverse genus of woody monocots noted for their striking foliage. Many Cordyline species exist, most with unusual attributes that make them desirable plants for landscape and interior uses.

Cordylines are members of the Dracaenaceae family, most closely related to Dracaena indivisia, better known as the dracaena spike. Many consumers are also familiar with the ti plant, Cordyline terminalis, a tropical form with broad leaves sold as a houseplant.

Recently, less common Cordyline species originating from New Zealand have found their way into many U.S. gardens. Cultivars of Cordyline australis, C. banksii and interspecific hybrids have provided growers with new selections.

Cultivars with garden merit

‘Red Star’ is one of the oldest selections. It has very upright, stiff leaves with matte dark-red coloration. ‘Red Star’ forms a woody trunk and can reach 15 feet tall. With increased tissue-culture propagation, ‘Red Star’ has become more affordable and is available as a young plant. It is a good alternative to dracaena spike in mixed containers or as a standalone specimen. ‘Red Star’ may also be sold as ‘Torbay Red.’

‘Dark Star’ is identical to ‘Red Star’ in habit and overall look. However, ‘Dark Star’ has dark-purple coloration. ‘Dark Star’ looks like a traditional australis selection with spiky foliage and a woody trunk.

‘Red Sensation’ is another established cultivar similar to ‘Red Star,’ but with broader leaves and more purple than red foliage. ‘Red Sensation’ can be grown under the same conditions and culture as ‘Red Star.’ More leaf spotting has occurred on ‘Red Sensation’ at our Washington facilities compared to ‘Red Star’ when plants are grown below 40°F.

‘ Torbay Dazzler’ is a striking variegated form with cream-white edges and green centers. It received the Award of Garden Merit in 2004 from the Royal Horticultural Society in the United Kingdom.

‘Ablertii.’ There is some debate about this white variegated selection that looks very similar to ‘Torbay Dazzler.’ Many selections of ‘Albertii’ exist and they are variable. More investigation is needed to determine the true form of ‘Albertii.’

Festival Grass (‘Jurred’) is a new cultivar bred by Felix and Mark Juri in Taranaki, New Zealand, and marketed exclusively through Anthony Tesselaar USA. This clumping hybrid has vivid, glossy-burgundy leaves. It does not form a trunk and reaches 3 feet tall and wide.

‘Burgundy Spire’ is a new selection from Anthony Tesselaar USA. ‘Burgundy Spire’ is notable for its broad, burgundy leaves. Its habit is similar to that of ‘Red Sensation’ but ‘Burgundy Spire’ has arching leaves with a slight droop. Most cordylines shed their lower leaves and expose their woody trunk. ‘Burgundy Spire’ does not lose its leaves and retains them down to the ground.

‘Cardinal’ is an interspecific plant with broad, glossy-red-purple leaves. It is a new selection from Ball Ornamentals. ‘Cardinal’ is notable for its upright growth and arching leaves. Leaves are narrow as a young plant but broaden with age. ‘Cardinal’ is so new to the market that data are still being collected. Early production trials indicate it has a clumping habit with upright growth -- a combination yet to be seen in other cultivars. Our initial observation is that other varieties sold as ‘Crimson Star,’ ‘New Red,’ ‘Cabernet’ and ‘Red Chocolate’ are the same as ‘Cardinal.’

Renegade (‘Tana’) is a new hybrid introduced by PlantHaven that has a clumping form similar to Festival Grass. It produces 2-inch and wider glossy-black leaves with a lacquered finish. Renegade also has strongly fragrant flowers for an added bonus. It will be available exclusively from Pacific Plug & Liner.

‘Electric Pink’ is a new, narrow-leaved clumping cultivar with striking-pink variegation. ‘Electric Pink’ has grasslike foliage, which makes it a great alternative to phormium. It is a vigorous grower and will finish in containers relatively quickly. ‘Electric Pink’ is offered through Bodger Botanicals and sold exclusively by Henry F. Michell Co.

Pink Stripe (‘Kiwi’) This narrow-leaved, upright selection has a habit similar to C. australis, but with buff-pink and gray-green variegation. Leaves are generally thin and straplike. Pink Stripe will form a trunk with age and reach 15 feet tall.

‘Pink Passion’ was introduced in 2007 by Seiont Nurseries in the United Kingdom. This intense-pink selection is one of the most striking cultivars to come to market. ‘Pink Passion’ is a clumping form with bright-pink and cream variegation. Availability is very limited, but ‘Pink Passion’ is sure to make a bold statement when it hits store shelves.

‘Pink Champagne’ is a smaller selection with bright-white variegation and pink coloring in the basal stem. ‘Pink Champagne’ is a newer selection from John Heger at New Place Nurseries in the United Kingdom. It has more narrow and stiff leaves than most C. australis types, which gives it a very spiky look. Its compact habit makes it ideal for container production.

‘Southern Splendor’ is another pink-variegated selection, similar to ‘Pink Stripe’ but with bolder pink variegation. ‘Southern Splendor’ has narrow leaves that droop slightly at the ends. This variety will grow a woody trunk like other australis types and reaches 15 feet tall.

‘Sundance’ is a green selection with bright-red coloring at the base of the leaf petioles. ‘Sundance’ is also characterized by a distinct red midrib along the length of the leaf. This cultivar develops a woody trunk with age and reaches 15 feet tall.

‘Sunset’ is very similar to ‘Sundance’ but with slightly narrower leaves and darker-red coloring. ‘Sunset’ may be confused with ‘Sundance’ due to the close similarities. ‘Sundance’ is brighter overall, while ‘Sunset’ is more muted.

‘Purple Sensation’ is a clumping selection with upright, narrow leaves. ‘Purple Sensation’ is noted for its dark-purple foliage and contrasting red midrib. It is a good alternative to red-leaved phormiums.

‘ Purple Tower’ has broad, purple leaves that slightly droop at the ends. ‘ Purple Tower’ is a good complement to ‘Red Star’ and will grow to be similar in overall height and look.

Cordyline production

Most cordyline selections are produced by tissue culture and are available from young-plant producers as rooted liners or from tissue culture labs as Stage 3 in-vitro plantlets.

Cordylines require a well-drained growing medium and moderate rates of fertilizer. Cordylines benefit from higher temperatures (60°F-80°F) and high light (10,000-15,000 footcandles). The most active growth is in spring and summer.

Growers should scout for spider mites that can strip the color from the foliage if populations are out of control. Protect plants from high winds, which can tear the leaves.

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- Ryan Hall

Ryan Hall is operations and new product development manager, Pacific Plug & Liner, (831) 722-5396, Ext. 219; ryan_hall@ppandl.net; www.ppandl.com.