Cordyline australis purpurea (Cabbage Palm) seeds

The perfect addition to a jungle-themed or tropical garden, the cabbage palm is a striking architectural plant. With its long. spiky, arching red-purple leaves, it contrasts beautifully with many plants, bananas and cannas in particular. Originating from Australia and New Zealand, this shrub is nearly hardy but needs frost protection in winter. Can be grown in a very sheltered spot in the garden and wrapped with fleece in winter, or in container which can be moved to a frost-free place for winter. Also makes a very attractive houseplant.

Half Hardy Shrub (Min 0C - protect from frost)
Height: 4m
Position: Sun

Packet of 20 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

Pre-Sowing Treatment: Soak the seeds in hand hot water for 1 hour.

Sowing Instructions:  Sow at any time of the year. Sow very thinly in trays or pots of  moist seed compost, eg John Innes mixed with a little vermiculite. Cover with a light sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag and maintain an optimum temperature of 18-21C. Germination should take place in 4 – 10 weeks. Note: Germination can be very erratic, so sow thinly and prick out the seedlings as they become large enough to handle disturbing the rest of the compost as little as possible.

Growing Instructions:  Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7 - 9cm pots. Over-winter at a temperature of no less than 10C for the first couple of winters. When well established, plants can be hardened off in late spring (place plants outdoors during the day and bring back in at night for 10 days), planted in pots or in the garden in a sunny position in well-drained soil.

Plants will need protection in winter depending on the severity of winters in your area. Move potted plants to a frost free place and water sparingly and wrap plants in the garden with straw and fleece/bubble wrap.