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Gardening

How to Grow Cordyline: A Beginner’s Guide to Planting, Care, and Propagation

by Gregory
written by Gregory 3 minutes read

How to Grow Cordyline: A Beginner’s Guide

What is Cordyline?

Cordyline is a beautiful evergreen shrub with a striking architectural shape. It’s often called cabbage palm or New Zealand cabbage tree, but it’s not actually a palm tree. The most common type of cordyline is Cordyline australis, which has plain green leaves. However, there are also many variegated, colored, and multi-colored varieties.

Growing Conditions

Cordylines are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of conditions.

  • Sun: Cordylines with green leaves prefer full sun, while those with colored leaves do best in light shade.
  • Soil: Cordylines need well-drained soil.
  • Water: Water your cordyline regularly, especially during dry spells.
  • Fertilizer: Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring.

Planting and Care

  • You can plant cordylines in the ground or in containers.
  • If you’re planting in the ground, choose a spot that’s sheltered from cold winds.
  • If you’re planting in a container, make sure the container is large enough to accommodate the plant’s roots.
  • Water your cordyline regularly and fertilize it once a year.
  • As your cordyline matures, the lower leaves will yellow and die off. You can gently pull or trim these leaves off.

Winter Care

Cordylines can survive temperatures down to around -5 degrees Celsius. However, it’s important to protect them from frost and cold winds.

  • If you live in a cold climate, you can wrap your cordyline in horticultural fleece for the winter.
  • You can also move your cordyline into a sheltered location, such as a greenhouse or garage.

Propagation

You can propagate cordylines from seed or from cuttings.

  • Seed: Cordyline australis can be grown from seed, but it can take years to develop sizeable plants.
  • Cuttings: Large, established cordyline plants may produce suckers, which are shoots that arise from the base of the plant. You can cut these suckers off and pot them up to create new plants.

Troubleshooting

Cordylines are generally trouble-free plants, but they can occasionally be affected by pests or diseases.

  • Pests: Cordylines can be susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects.
  • Diseases: Cordylines can be susceptible to root rot and slime flux.

FAQ

  • Can cordylines be split? Yes, cordylines can be split by cutting down vertically into the base of the plant and removing the suckers with some roots intact.
  • What are some different varieties of cordyline? Some popular varieties of cordyline include Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’, Cordyline australis Albertii, and Cordyline australis Purple Tower.
  • Where can I buy cordyline plants? You can buy cordyline plants at most garden centers and nurseries. You can also find them online.
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Plants

Gunnera Tinctoria: The Giant Rhubarb – Growing, Controlling, and Its Impact on Wildlife

by Gregory
written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Gunnera Tinctoria: The Giant Rhubarb

Introduction

Gunnera tinctoria, commonly known as giant rhubarb, is a spectacular herbaceous plant that can add a touch of drama to any garden. With its massive, rhubarb-like leaves and architectural form, it’s a plant that’s hard to miss.

Description

Gunnera tinctoria is a deciduous plant, meaning it loses its leaves in autumn. It can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and 2.5 meters in spread, making it a truly impressive specimen. The leaves are the most striking feature of the plant, with their large, deeply lobed shape and serrated edges.

Growing Conditions

Gunnera tinctoria prefers moist, boggy soil and can tolerate a wide range of pH levels. It can be grown in full sun, partial shade, or dappled shade, but it will produce the largest leaves in full sun.

Invasive Potential

Gunnera tinctoria is considered an invasive plant in the British Isles. It can spread rapidly by seed and can quickly take over an area. Gardeners should be aware of this potential and take steps to prevent the plant from spreading beyond their gardens.

How to Control Gunnera Tinctoria

If you have Gunnera tinctoria in your garden and want to remove it, the best thing to do is cut it back completely and then dig it out. You can also stop it from spreading by cutting off the flowerheads in summer before they set seed.

Similar Plants

If you’re looking for a plant with a similar effect to Gunnera tinctoria but without the invasive potential, consider Rheum palmatum or Crambe cordifolia. These plants have large, architectural leaves that can add a dramatic touch to your garden.

Wildlife Value

Gunnera tinctoria has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK. It does not attract birds, cats, dogs, horses, livestock, or people.

Toxicity

Gunnera tinctoria is not known to be toxic to humans or animals. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid ingesting any part of the plant.

Conclusion

Gunnera tinctoria is a striking and architectural plant that can add a touch of drama to any garden. However, gardeners should be aware of its invasive potential and take steps to prevent it from spreading beyond their gardens. If you’re looking for a plant with a similar effect but without the invasive potential, consider Rheum palmatum or Crambe cordifolia.

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