Cordyline australis 'Charlie Boy' is a variegated cabbage palm known for its architectural, evergreen foliage that features shades of pink, burgundy, and bronze. It is a resilient, low-maintenance shrub often used as a striking focal point in pots or garden borders. 

Appearance

• Foliage: The deep bronze-purple-red leaves have a wide, distinctive pink or red edging, forming a spiky, strap-like fountain of colour.
• Form: Younger plants have a low, fountain-like habit. As it matures, it develops a strong, tall stem and a head of leaves, resembling an exotic palm tree.
• Flowers and berries: Mature plants may produce clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in the summer, followed by small, round white-to-blue berries in the autumn.
• Size:
  • Height: 2.5–4 metres.
  • Spread: 1–1.5 metres. 

Growing and care

• Location: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun or partial shade. Full sun is best for the foliage's rich colour, but avoid locations that get strong, intense sun that can fade its colours. It is tolerant of salty coastal air and dry soils once established.
• Watering: Water regularly until fully established, especially in the first summer. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, but container plants require regular watering during the growing season. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings to prevent root rot.
• Feeding: Feed container-grown plants with a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring to late summer. In-ground plants generally do not require feeding.

ordyline australis 'Chocolate Mint'
This ornamental shrub, also known as the New Zealand cabbage palm, adds a tropical feel to gardens and patios. It features slender, sword-like leaves with mint-green blades and distinctive chocolate-burgundy stripes running down the center. 

Plant characteristics

• Foliage: Long, slender, variegated leaves with chocolate-burgundy stripes over a mint-green background.
• Size: Can grow up to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, making it a dramatic feature plant in gardens or containers.
• Flowers: When mature, it produces panicles of fragrant, ivory-white flowers in the summer that attract bees.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
• Hardiness: Evergreen in mild climates, but tender and may need frost protection in colder areas.
• Tolerances: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and can withstand salty, coastal winds.
• Common uses: Used as an architectural focal point in a garden, as a container plant, or for a Mediterranean garden feel. 

The Cordyline australis 'Lime Passion' is a striking, evergreen cabbage palm with variegated, lime-green, and cream foliage. It is a compact, architectural plant suitable for pots, borders, and coastal locations, offering year-round colour and an exotic, tropical feel to a garden. 

Key features

• Foliage: The lance-shaped, evergreen leaves are sword-like and form an upright, fountain-like crown on a bare trunk as the plant matures.
• Flowers: Mature plants may produce fragrant, small, white flowers in summer, followed by small berries in the autumn.
• Dimensions: The plant will reach a mature height of approximately 1.2 to 1.5 metres and a spread of 1 metre. 

Care requirements

• Position: Plant in full sun or partial shade in a warm, sheltered spot, as strong winds can damage the foliage.
• Soil: It thrives in fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. If planting in a container, use a loam-based compost with added grit for good drainage.
• Watering: Water regularly until the plant is established. Once mature, it is drought-tolerant. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering during the growing season.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring, particularly for container-grown plants.

The Cordyline australis 'Red Heart' is a striking, palm-like evergreen known for its deep green, sword-shaped leaves with a vivid red core. As the plant matures, the foliage can develop richer burgundy hues. It is grown for its bold architectural form, which makes it an excellent focal point in Mediterranean, coastal, and modern garden designs, or in a container. 

Growth and appearance

• Architectural form: The plant starts as a tuft of leaves, then forms a sturdy, single trunk over time. The foliage gathers at the top in dense, arching clusters.
• Foliage: The deep green, sword-like leaves are marked by a prominent red stripe in the center and at the base, creating its signature "red heart".
• Flowers: Mature plants can produce trusses of small, fragrant, white flowers during the summer. These are followed by small red or purple berries in the autumn.
• Size: 'Red Heart' can reach a mature height of 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16 feet) but remains smaller when grown in pots. 

Care requirements

• Sunlight: This cordyline thrives in full sun, which helps bring out the deepest red color in the foliage. It can also tolerate partial shade.
• Soil and drainage: Use fertile, well-draining soil for both in-ground and container planting. For pots, add horticultural grit to improve drainage, as the plant does not tolerate soggy roots.
• Watering: Water regularly during its first growing season until it is established. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering during the growing season.
• Fertilizing: Feed container plants with a balanced, liquid fertilizer from spring to late summer. In-ground plants generally don't need feeding.
• Pruning: 'Red Heart' requires minimal pruning. Simply pull off old, dead leaves that have turned brown. 

Cordyline australis 'Red Star', also known as the cabbage palm, is

a hardy evergreen plant with striking, arching, deep burgundy-red leaves. It provides an architectural element to gardens and is well-suited for a tropical or Mediterranean theme.

• Foliage: The prominent feature of 'Red Star' is its sword-shaped, bronze-red to deep burgundy-red foliage that retains its color all year.
• Growth habit: It grows into a palm-like shrub or tree, forming a strong, upright rosette of leaves. The foliage is continuously produced from the center, while older leaves die back and form a woody trunk.
• Flowers: Mature plants in summer can produce large panicles of tiny, sweet-smelling, ivory-white flowers that attract bees.
• Fruit: The flowers are followed by red or bluish-white berries in autumn, which are a food source for birds. 

Growing and care

• Sunlight: 'Red Star' does best in full sun, which helps to maintain its vibrant leaf color. It can also tolerate partial shade.
• Soil: Plant it in well-drained soil, though it is tolerant of a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay.
• Watering: While drought-tolerant once established, it's important to water regularly during its growing season, especially in summer.
• Pruning: 'Red Star' is low-maintenance and generally doesn't require pruning. Old, dead leaves can be pulled away from the base to keep it tidy. 

Cordyline australis 'Salsa', also known as Cabbage Palm 'Salsa', is a vibrant, architectural evergreen tree known for its exotic, pink- and bronze-striped, sword-shaped leaves. It is a good choice for containers or borders, where its foliage can provide year-round color. 

Appearance

• Foliage: The striking foliage is the main feature of the 'Salsa' cordyline. The broad, sword-like leaves are a deep reddish-purple with bright, pink margins. This combination creates a "firework" of color.
• Form: The plant starts as a tightly packed rosette of leaves, eventually growing to form a sparsely branched, palm-like tree. Mature plants can develop a more branched crown.
• Flowers: Mature plants may occasionally produce panicles of small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in the summer. These are followed by berries in the autumn.
• Size: According to the RHS, this cultivar can reach an ultimate height of 2.5–4 meters and a spread of 1.5–2.5 meters over 10–20 years. 

Growing conditions

• Sunlight: 'Salsa' prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Placing it near a bright window can maximize its growth potential.
• Soil: It thrives in free-draining soil or compost. Good drainage is crucial, as the plant is sensitive to wet soil, which can cause root rot.
• Watering: The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Regular watering is needed, especially for container plants.