Cordyline australis 'Southern Splendour'

Common name: Cabbage palm

Description: Cordyline australis 'Southern Splendour' is an eye-catching architectural evergreen bearing long, arching, green leaves with attractive bronzy-red margins that add a warm tonal contrast to the foliage. It forms an upright, palm-like silhouette that becomes increasingly statuesque with age, making it an outstanding focal point in contemporary and coastal garden schemes. Mature specimens produce fragrant, creamy-white flower plumes in early summer, rising impressively above the leaf crown.

Other benefits: bold architectural form, ornamental foliage colour, tolerates coastal exposure, suitable for large containers, fragrant summer flowers

Wildlife attraction: bees and hoverflies are attracted to the flowers on mature plants

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2m x 1m

Position: full sun to partial shade; sheltered from cold, drying winds; well suited to coastal and urban settings

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline; adaptable to most well-drained soils

Moisture: moderate; drought tolerant once established; good drainage required

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to approximately -8°C; hardy across most of the UK