21 The warm, wet summer provided perfect conditions for cordylines with lush growth and an abundance of flowers. Perfect for a part or fully shaded garden, cordylines are also tough enough for sheltered, sunny locations. Known by their common name as a Palm Lily, there are over twenty species from Eastern Australia to Oceania and multiple cultivated forms. Four species of cordyline are local to northern New South Wales and South-East Queensland, all with rich green, strappy leaves. They have an important role for butterflies by providing food and shelter for the caterpillar stage of several butterfly species, shelter for frogs, and their nectar and pollen are food for native bees. Three regional species have red fruit - Broad-leaf Cordyline petiolaris Palm Lily is often multi-trunked, with wide leaves up to 85cm long and masses of small lilylike flowers from white to mauve. C.congesta Toothed Palm Lily and C.rubra Red Fruited Palm Lily have slightly narrower foliage. Black-fruited C.stricta is also upright but has much narrower foliage. It grows naturally at higher elevations of the McPherson Ranges. All suit home gardens and may only need occasional pruning. They spread laterally by an underground stem or rhizome, and are grown easily from seed. The bright and colourful leafy cordylines from the Pacific Islands reached Australia aboard HMS Challenge in 1868, collected by a youthful 28 year old William Guilfoyle (1840-1912) who later became the Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne from 1873 - 1909. Misnaming them as Dracaena species, Guilfoyle described multi-coloured forms as ‘strangely coloured, and large-leaved with large longitudinal bands of obliques which gave it a very great originality.’ Guilfoyle lived at Chinderah where his family had a sugar cane plantation and plant nursery. Guilfoyle also collected plant species extensively in the McPherson Ranges and Tweed district, many growing still in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens. The colourful, exotic cordylines can only be propagated by cuttings and are relatively easy to propagate. New Zealand species, Cordyline australis Cabbage Tree grows into a small tree if left unpruned and can handle tough, coastal conditions as well as cooler climates. Like the regional species, there are also numerous cultivated forms, and all cordylines are attractive in pots. Gardening by Kate Heffernan Honorary Life Member Friends of GCRBG, Botanic Garden Consultant Colourful Cordyline from the Pacific Islands Cordyline at GCRBG Cordyline mauve flowers 0417 294 778 A Touch of Grass Garden Care GARDEN CLEANUPS / REJUVENATION & MAKEOVERS A SPECIALTY We offer an experienced, professional and reliable service Call Jeremy on ... Est. Gold Coast since 2001 Let us create your new and rejuvenated garden where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your tranquil surroundings ... Specialising Garden Makeovers & Rejuvenation * Garden Care * Plant Selection * Soft Landscaping
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