Adwen's Garden
Cordyline Australis
Genus: Cordyline.
Species: Cordyline australis.
Previous owner brought this up from Torquay many years ago. A relative had a B&B down there, as I recall the story went, and so you can imagine we have quite a number of these dotted around the immediate vicinity! A lovely lady
Brenda, was so proud of this ‘Torquay Palm’ as she called it, held a lot of memories for her not to mention the final resting place of her cat. She clearly loved this plant and indeed it was quite tall and striking with its’ exotic appearance, however there was a sadness that it had never flowered.
This ‘Torquay Palm’ over these 8yrs, has been the centre of many a conversation. I’ve searched high and low to discover it’s real identity, until very recently a landscaper/designer dropped it’s name - Cordyline Australis. Imagine the delight – after canvassing all kind of opinions, even the gardening gods at RHS (wouldn’t give much away without passing of shiny tokens!), finally we know it’s name!
But, name aside, you know the strangest thing, the first spring brought the impossible, yes indeed... it flowered! Of course Brenda was delighted (as were the neighbours) but how odd. We wondered what was happening, rather like the birth of an Alien... but there it was, one solitary bloom.
Until these last couple of years I could reach up pull the dead flower stems off, remove the dead leaves (best after long wet period) but now it’s really growing up. Ladders are required, and having rescued it from that nasty holly behind it, it’s free to enjoy it’s own space. There are three main trunks which split into two heads each, with a little one (about 1M) started near the base of plant. All heads flower!
But such a dilemma, can it stay or does it go? The fencing needs replacing, a taller fence is required and one of the three trunks will have to go.... the balance of the tree will be changed.... will it survive? I don’t really know what to do.... including it into the garden design if possible would be great but sadly, I just don’t know.
Check out the photo’s, probably 5-6yrs old now (taken when trying to ID), what do you think? I’ll update them if I get chance!
