The New Zealand Cabbage Treet is a palm-like tree with a crown made oflong, bare branches carrying young leaves from the centre of these heads insubstitution for cabbage which is where it got its common name. The maturetree flowers during late November to February every other year with creamycoloured sweetly-scented flowers that attracts a wide variety of insectsensuring pollination. In the autumn, small hard berries form, which areirresistible to birds. Grows to 10-20m with diameters of up to 1.5m.

Garden Use
As a feature tree adding a tropical look andfeel to the garden or in a pot in high-ceiling conservatories where it willadd interest over the cold winter months.

PlantingGuide
It requires a sunny and open position, away from undergrowthand hedging plants that may reduce its light, water and space. Thoughdrought-resistant in their native New Zealand, they appreciate rain, aswell as the warmer winds afforded by a seaside position. Cordylineaustralis has a taproot, which, if broken, will result in a completefailure to grow so be extra careful when transfering from container to itsfinal position in the garden. It is really important to give extra waterdaily to the young cordyline australis during hot, dry weather. Adult treescan survive drought, but young ones struggle.