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Products > Cordyline australis 'Dark Star'   Cordyline australis 'Dark Star' - Red Grass Palm Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.     Habit and Cultural Information Category: Tree Family: Dracaenaceae (~Agaveaceae) Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Red/Purple Foliage: Yes Flower Color: White Bloomtime: Spring Fragrant Flowers: Yes Height: 20-30 feet Width: 8-10 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Summer Dry: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: <15° F Cordyline australis 'Dark Star' (Red Grass Palm) - This is a palm-like, sub-tropical tree that grows with an upright habit and with age will branch 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. 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 necessary in hotter inland gardens. It is drought tolerant in coastal gardens but responds well to occasional to regular irrigation. Useful in dry gardens but also offers a tropical look. A great container plant. It can tolerate coastal conditions if protected from direct sea winds (Zone 2) . It is hardy to around 15° F, growing well in USDA zones 9-10 (and possibly warmer Zone 8 locations). 'Dark Star' appears to be a mutation of 'Red Star' and was received by San Marcos Growers in 2005 from a tissue culture lab mixed with plants of 'Red Star'. It is like 'Red Star' but has narrower and darker foliage and also does not grow as vigorously as 'Red Star'.  The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have observed it in. We also will incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that might aid others in growing Cordyline australis 'Dark Star'.     [MORE INFO]