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Cordyline australis 'Dark Star' (Red Grass Palm) - This is a palm-like, sub-tropical tree that grows with an upright habit and with age branches to produce several heads. This cultivar has very dark reddish-bronze sword-like strap leaves. It is possible that this plant will grow as large as the species, reaching 20 to 25 feet tall and spreading to about 12 feet wide, but we note that this cultivar is not a vigorous plant and likely it will remain smaller in the garden. As it matures it will likely produce large panicles of small, sweet-scented flowers in late spring to summer.
Best in full coastal sun to light shade - some shade protection is necessary in hotter inland gardens. It is drought tolerant in coastal gardens but responds well to occasional to regular irrigation. It can tolerate coastal conditions if protected from direct sea winds (Zone 2) and is cold hardy to around 15° F, growing well in USDA zones 9-10 (and possibly warmer Zone 8 locations). Useful in dry gardens but also offers a tropical look and is a great large container plant.
Cordyline australis 'Dark Star' appears to be a mutation of Cordyline australis 'Red Star' It was received by San Marcos Growers in 2005 from a tissue culture lab mixed with plants of 'Red Star', so we separated and named it. It is like 'Red Star' but has narrower and darker foliage and also does not grow as vigorously as 'Red Star'.
The information displayed on this page about Cordyline australis 'Dark Star' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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