Torbay Palm
Cordyline australis
Cordyline indivisa
Not really a palm at all, but still at the core of an exotic garden.
There are two main species of Cordyline available in the UK, Cordyline australis, sold by the million, and Cordyline indivisa, much rarer, with wider leaves, and more difficult to grow.. Australis has very many varieties, from the plain green form, through coloured, to striped, bi-coloured, and now tri-coloured.
The two types naturally occur in different locations with australis in lowland areas, and indivisa in the mountains. Unfortunately,as they are insect pollenated, if the two are near each other, general hybridizasion occurs. This gives rise to a third set of plants, the Hybrids, which can be any variation between. Many of these are sold as indivisa, but are not. Also seed can be very variable, as you will hear later in the page. If your indivisa produces seed, and is within half a mile of an australis, you will have hybrid seed. The only way to get a true indivisa is to buy it as a plant, and check for indivisa characteristics. Wide leaf and orange linear veins in the leaf
Cordyline australis can be grown in any garden soil but appreciates some compost added. Grow in sun or shade, and while can be drought tolerant, prefers adaquate water in warm weather. Hardy as a trunked tree to -9C although will survive but die down to ground level at lower temperatures. It will then regrow multitrunked from the rootstock the next year.
Cultivation differences between C australis and C indivisa. Whilst C. indivisa will tolerate cooler overall temperatures, it is less likely to regenerate from the rootstock if badly hit by hard frosts.It requires evenly moist, but well drained, deep, humus rich soils and plenty of humidity. For C.indivisa the ideal temperatures appear to be in the - 5°C to 25°C range. Either side of these and the plant struggles. Can take sun or shade, but a shady position may be preferable where temps are likely to be higher than 25C
The story of Cassy the Cordyline from indivisa seed to 18 foot Sky Rocket, in just 14 years.