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cordyline varieties

Cordyline varieties are a favourite among New Zealand gardeners, offering colourful foliage, architectural forms, and year-round interest in the landscape. Whether you’re creating a subtropical courtyard, adding texture to a mixed border, or searching for a hardy focal point for your driveway, there’s a cordyline to suit your needs. These versatile plants range in size, leaf colour, and growth habit, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor settings. On this page, we’ll explore some of the most popular cordyline varieties for Kiwi gardens and discuss where each one shines.

Cordyline australis

Cordyline australis, also known as the Cabbage Tree or tī kōuka, is a hardy and iconic New Zealand native. It features long, sword-like green leaves and scented spring flowers that attract birds. Ideal for coastal, rural, and urban landscapes, this low-maintenance tree adds height, texture, and native charm to any garden.

Buy Cordyline australis

From $16.49

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 8.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian

Cordyline Broadsword

Cordyline 'Broadsword' is a smaller variety of the commonly known Cabbage Tree, and features broad, bright green leaves held on a small tree. It grows with multiple, short stems that support the fantastic foliage as it reaches a height of 3 m and a width of 1.5 m.

Buy Cordyline Broadsword

From $30.29

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 1.50 m

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Tropical

What Makes Cordyline Varieties So Popular?

Cordyline varieties are celebrated for their ability to adapt to a range of conditions from coastal winds to urban gardens. Their striking, sword-like leaves come in a spectrum of colours including deep burgundy, bright green, pink variegations, and even shades of bronze. Many cordyline varieties are drought-tolerant once established, making them an eco-friendly option for low-maintenance landscapes. They also provide valuable habitat for native birds, thanks to their clusters of white flowers and berries.

Top Cordyline Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

If you’re looking to choose from the best cordyline varieties for your space, consider these standout options:

Cordyline Celestial Dawn

The stunning Cordyline Celestial Dawn is admired for its vibrant pink and green strappy foliage. This variety is compact enough for large pots or indoor planting, but hardy enough for outdoor gardens. Its colourful leaves bring energy to shaded corners or modern deck spaces.

Cordyline Showoff

For a show-stopping focal point, Cordyline Showoff delivers bold impact with its intense red-purple leaves. This variety thrives in sun, adding drama to entranceways or as a background plant in mixed beds. It’s well-suited to contemporary and subtropical garden designs.

Cordyline Renegade

Cordyline Renegade stands out with glossy, dark purple foliage that almost appears black in certain lights. It’s a fantastic choice for modern landscapes where structure and contrast are key. Use it in patio planters or at the front of borders for maximum effect.

Cordyline Kaspar

If you love classic New Zealand gardens, Cordyline Kaspar is an excellent fit. Sometimes called the “cabbage tree,” this variety features arching green leaves atop a single trunk. It’s ideal for exposed spots and is iconic for its resilience to wind, salt, and dry spells.

Cordyline Pink Diamond

For eye-catching garden beds, Cordyline Pink Diamond offers dazzling pink and green variegated foliage. This variety creates striking contrast when paired with darker plants or used along paths and poolside planting schemes.

Choosing and Growing Cordyline Varieties

When selecting from cordyline varieties, think about your available space, preferred leaf colour, and sunlight needs. Most cordylines do best in well-drained soil and enjoy a sunny to partially shaded spot. They require minimal maintenance—just prune away old leaves and water during dry spells in their establishment phase.

Explore our full range of cordyline varieties to transform your garden, courtyard, or indoor oasis with long-lasting vibrancy and style.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

cordyline varieties

Cordyline australis

Cordyline Broadsword

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What Makes Cordyline Varieties So Popular?