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Products > Cordyline australis 'Dark Star'
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| 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 |
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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 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'.
This information about Cordyline australis 'Dark Star' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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