Graham

After doing a bit of googling, it seems that there is only one species of
cabbage tree, the Cordyline australis. It goes by a multitude of names such
as Torbay Palm, Cabbage Palm, Cornish Palm, Ti Kouka, Grass Palm, Cabbage
Tree, but they are all the same tree.

It does have varieties which have been cultivated over time to give
different colours such as the Torbay Sparkler, Red Star & Sundance.

Younger, less established plants can be damaged by severe frost (-10C)but
older trees are fully hardy and apparently will grow just about anywhere in
the UK and are now a popular tree used by councils to brighten up many a
town centre. I know Birmingham Uni have them growing in their grounds.

I remember somebody telling me once that they were originally planted in
coastal regions, not because of the milder climate but it was because of the
tree's tolerance to wind and salt-spray damage.
________________
Nick G
Otter Valley, Devon
83 m amsl
http://www.ottervalley.co.uk