Cordylines are very popular plants for all kinds of gardens, to add bright vibrant colour and an instant tropical feeling.
As young plants, they start off as wide tufts or fountains of leaves, and then steadily develop a trunk to lift those leaves clear of the border and show them off. This makes them ideal for planting as an accent in the centre of a mixed bed or lawn.
Cordylines are also happy in pots and tubs, where their cascading tufts of leaves can be seen to great effect. So if you only have a balcony or deck you can still enjoy these dramatic plants.
There are two main kinds of cordyline for Australian gardens : fruticosa, and australis.
Both can be found all over the Oceanic region, the broad leaf fruticosa more often in the humid jungly regions of the Far East and Polynesian islands, and the narrow leaved australis in the harsher climates of coastlines and southern states.
What's the difference