Cordyline Species, Bauer's Dracaena, Cabbage Palm, Norfolk Island Cabbage Tree

Cordyline baueri (Norfolk Island) and C. kaspar (from Three Kings Island, off Auckland, New Zealand) have both been renamed C. obtecta. ...Read More The leaves of the wild form are mid-green with a smooth satiny texture, and very broad for their length.

This plant makes a much bushier, more freely branching plant than Cordyline australis, and branches are liable to appear anywhere, especially around the base. My two plants have six branches and lots of offsets around the base, but remain stubbornly at 6 feet high.

It is not really hardy enough to grow outside in the UK -- even in Cornwall it needs protection in some winters, so far I've got them through nine winters -- two of them unusually severe (-7C). I protected my plants with pillow covers! Get the longest ones available (preferably rot-proof polyester) and drape them over the leaves during frosty weather. Even then, the trunk may get damaged a little.

I think my plant may be a variety called 'Green Goddess' -- possibly a hybrid with C. australis, and hardier than the species.

Rich Burgundy red (almost copper) sword like leaves with distinctive uniform venation make this an outstanding choice for the landscape.F...Read Moreragrant white flowers top the stems in the early summer.Great for containers