Nick Gardner wrote:

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

Judging from where they are commonly seen in Scotland they must be very
tolerant to wind and salt spray. In those same areas very low
temperatures (below -4c) are very unusual. Hot dry conditions are also
very unusual.

Norman.
--
Norman Lynagh
Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
85m a.s.l.
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