As Other Plants Die Back for Winter, Cordyline Stands Firm, Keeping the Border Upright and Full of Character

Instant Architectural Drama

Few plants change the feel of a garden as quickly as Cordyline. Even a single young plant in the right spot can give an instant sense of height, structure and style. The upright stem and fountain of leaves draw the eye and help anchor nearby planting, lending a touch of seaside promenade or courtyard chic to an ordinary space. As the plant matures, that effect only increases, making it a brilliant choice where you want a focal point without endless maintenance.

  • Instant Architectural Drama
  • Evergreen Structure All Year Round
  • Surprisingly Easy For A “Exotic” Look

Cordyline at a Glance:

Common name: Cabbage Tree

Latin name: Cordyline

Size in UK gardens: In the ground, usually around 2–4m tall × 1.5–3m wide over time, sometimes taller in very favourable spots.

Best position: A sunny or lightly shaded, reasonably sheltered spot – often near a house, patio or in a warm border where it’s protected from the very coldest winds.

Soil: Most well‑drained garden soils, from light sand to decent loam. Cordyline dislikes sitting in heavy, waterlogged clay, especially in winter.

Flowering time: Older plants often produce large, creamy‑white flower panicles in late spring or early summer, followed by small berries. Younger plants are mainly grown for their bold foliage and shape.

Fragrance: The flower spikes on mature plants can be sweetly scented on warm evenings, but foliage is usually not noticeably scented.

Hardiness: Generally hardy, especially with good drainage and a bit of shelter. In harsher winters, some leaf or crown damage is possible, but many plants reshoot from the stem or base.

Care level: Straightforward once established – little pruning, modest watering, and just a bit of winter care in more exposed gardens or containers.
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Rather than travelling halfway across Europe, our mimosa trees are grown on site by the Simpson’s team. They’re toughened to local conditions, properly potted, and ready to get growing the moment you plant them.

Cordyline Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container‑grown plants, cordylines can be planted in most months when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Spring and early autumn are often easiest, giving new roots time to settle in before summer heat or winter cold.

Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season so the rootball does not dry out completely. Once established in the ground, Cordyline usually copes well with normal dry spells, needing extra water only in prolonged hot, dry weather.

Feeding: A light application of balanced, slow‑release fertiliser or a mulch of garden compost in spring is usually enough. It does not need heavy or frequent feeding to perform well.

Pruning: Routine pruning is mostly about removing old, brown or damaged leaves and spent flower spikes. There’s no need for regular shaping in most gardens.

Winter: In a typical Cambridgeshire winter, established plants often come through with only minor leaf marking. In colder snaps, a little fleece around the crown of younger plants can be reassuring, especially in more exposed positions.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Cordyline is generally hardy in many parts of southern and eastern England, including much of Cambridgeshire and East Anglia, especially when planted in well‑drained soil with a bit of shelter. Typical winters may cause some browning of older leaves, but established plants usually come through well. In harsher winters, the growing point at the top can sometimes be damaged; often, though, new shoots appear from the trunk or base. Young plants and those in very exposed positions benefit from a little fleece protection during the coldest spells.

In good conditions in the ground, Cordyline can reach around 2–4m tall and up to about 1.5–3m wide over time, though this usually takes several years. In East Anglian gardens, many plants sit comfortably at the lower end of this range, especially where conditions are a little more exposed. In large containers, growth is naturally more restrained. With occasional tidying and, if needed, careful reduction of very tall stems, you can manage the overall height to suit your space.

Yes, Cordyline is very well suited to container growing. Choose a sturdy pot with drainage holes and fill it with a free‑draining, loam‑based compost, possibly with a little added grit. Place the pot in a sunny or lightly shaded, sheltered spot and water when the top of the compost begins to dry, especially in summer. Feed lightly during the growing season. In winter, move the pot closer to the house or into a more protected corner in hard frosts and make sure excess water can drain away freely.

Cordyline is at its best in full sun or light, open shade. Several hours of direct light each day help keep the plant compact and the foliage colours strong, especially in variegated forms. It will usually tolerate a little more shade, particularly the green‑leaved types, but in deep shade growth can become lanky and the plant may lose some of its impact. For the best balance of strength and appearance, choose a bright, reasonably open spot – such as a south‑ or west‑facing border, front garden or patio.