Cordyline australis

©2001

GIANT DRACAENA, NEW ZEALAND CABBAGE PALM, TI KOUKA
syn. Dracaena australis
Family: Agavaceae

GROWING GUIDE

Geographic Origin: New Zealand.
Plant Group: Shrubs.
Hardiness: Sunset zones: 5, 8-11, 14-24. USDA: zones 8b-11.
Mature size: Height: 10-30 feet (3-10 m). Width: 3-12 feet (1-4 m).
Flowering period: Summer.
Flowering attributes: Fragrant, creamy-white flowers in panicles 3 feet (1 m) long are followed by bluish-white berries.
Leaf attributes: Fountain of evergreen, arching, lance-shaped leaves.

Heavy snow doesn't keep it down. ©2001

Light: Sun to partial shade.
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Feeding: Side dress with compost and a complete organic fertilizer in the spring and monthly until midsummer.
Propagation Methods: Sow seed at 61°F (16°C) in spring.
Pruning Methods: When the plant is young, cut it back to force multiple trunks.

Rainy Side Notes

Ti kouka, as the Maori of New Zealand call it, is a beautiful tropical looking shrub or tree. The trees were prized by the Maori as navigational markers as well as their use for fishing as the fibre was strong. The new shoots of the tree were an important source of protein for them and eaten as a vegetable. In addition the Maori made use of its medicinal properties - healing sores and cuts and as a cure for dysentery and stomach pains. New Zealand is testing the tree for use as a crop for fructose production trialing the Maori tradition of coppicing C. australis as a perennial stem crop.

Up until recently I was not aware C. australis was hardy in Sunset zone 5. I planted mine out a few years ago (1998) on a whim, not expecting it to survive. After surviving several winters and reaching 4 feet tall I decided to find out more about this plant that is sold as a basket stuffer.

Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.

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