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| Category: Grass-like |
| Family: Dracaenaceae (~Agaveaceae) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Light Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Synonyms: [Cordyline 'Crimson Star'] |
| Parentage: (Cordyline australis x C. banksii) |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Cordyline 'Cardinal' (Cardinal Cordyline) - A smaller clump-forming Cordyline that forms a rosette to 3 feet tall with glossy arching red leaves that first emerge narrow and widen with maturity. Plant in full sun (along coast) to part shade in a well-drained soil with regular to occasional irrigation. The best foliage color will likely be in full to partial coastal sun to morning sun to shade inland. We have not had it outside for a cold winter but likely it will have a similar hardiness as other Cordyline hybrids and tolerate down to 20 F. A nice plant for containers or the front of a planting where the attractive red arching foliage can be emphasized. This plant, introduced by Ball Ornamentals, is thought to be an interspecific hybrid involving Cordyline australis and C. banksii, though it seems more solitary without the basal suckering habit seen in other hybrids involving C. banksii such as 'Renegade', 'Jurred' and 'Electric Pink' though it has the arching, narrower and shinier leaf with a cupped clasping petiole that is typical of this hybrid cross. Hopefully it will also have the small fragrant pale purple flowers that the others hybrid Cordyline display in summer months. This plant is very similar if not the same as plants being sold as 'Crimson Star'.
The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Cordyline 'Cardinal'. |
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