Cordyline Red Comet

A wonderful feature plant, Cordyline australis Red Comet brings an exotic palm-like note to the garden. A medium-sized, evergreen shrub, its like an explosion of long, narrow, arching leaves of brilliant crimson, eventually forming a trunk as the lower leaves drop away. Upright spikes of white, lightly scented flowers appear in early summer. One of the toughest cordylines and an excellent coastal plant, Red Comet will survive temperatures down to -8 and can be grown in garden soil. Also looks very stylish in modern containers.

Site: Sheltered; tolerates salt air
Soils: Any well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year
Hardiness: Reasonably hardy
Height to 8 (2.5m) Spread to 5 (1.5m)