Cordylines - How do we get more foliage on lower trunk?
By Boatbuilder
United Kingdom 
Plants are in containers and have grown quite tall and have divided at the top and the foliage has become very thin.
They are in both sun and shade and are watered regularly.
4 Jun, 2009
Answers
No, they are actually a tree, Boatbuilder, so they will and do shed their lower leaves.
4 Jun, 2009
the old leaves are basicly what becomes the trunk
4 Jun, 2009
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Hi. Boatbuilder.
It is not the habit of Cordylines to have foliage on the trunk. Strictly speaking they are intended as indoor plants, and as such will retain their juvenile foliage for many years. Once planted outdoors, they begin to develop a trunk. The first large panicle of white. sweet scented flowers opens in summer when the trunk has reached 6-8 ft. The head will then divide again, each division bearing a panicle of flowers, each summer.
I wish I had a scanner, and I could show you a picture of the one that used to be in my neighbour's garden. Unfortunately it was removed two years ago. Hope this helps.
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4 Jun, 2009