"New Zealand Tie-Palm". A long lived 'palm' producing a slowly thickening trunk, carrying at the top a rosette of strap-shaped long leaves. This tree is in the same family, and similar to a "Dragon Tree" or dracaena, but it is hardier in winter, and easier and faster to grow. Older plants grow enormous panicles of deeply scented white flowers in early summer, producing white berries in autumn and winter. Severe winters can kill the leaves but this invariably results in the trunk sprouting several heads. ... Learn More

Rare and very difficult to source from apparently anywhere in the world, this graceful long-leaved Cordyline from the North Island and the north-western parts of the South Island of New Zealand grows in coastal and lowland scrub and rocky banks. Even in New Zealand it is not especially well-known compared to the much more familiar Cordyline australis and indivisa plants. In mid-summer enormous sprays of white flowers are produced followed by heavy, cucumber-shaped bunches of small round red/purple berries. The leaves are quite different from Cordyline australis being longer and broader in the middle section and tapering at both ends. They have a distinctive midrib and are held in a graceful arching manner that gives them a more tropical look. Like all cordylines, this plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects. ... Learn More

This rarely-seen plant is a magnificent species for the connoisseur, with wide, thick bronze/green leaves with orange midribs and glaucous, blue-grey undersides. When mature these broad blades can grow up to 4ft long and 5-6in wide. These beautiful native New Zealanders grows high in the mountains on deep organic soil in forest clearings, and are perfect for cool, moist conditions, where you might also grow tree ferns. They are able to withstand lower temperatures than the closely related and much easier Cordyline australis, although they appreciate some protection in very hard winters when they are young. However, even in a rare arctic winter they will re-shoot from the base if cut down by severe cold. ... Learn More

One of the more compact and stout members of the cordyline family, this rare and unusual member has multiple branches of wide, strappy leaves diverging from the trunk. The large panicles of flowers, followed by white seed capsules, are held stiffly erect above the foliage unlike other species which are pendulous. In New Zealand, it is quite common on the main islands of the Three Kings which are now protected as Nature Reserves. It is very localised and possibly at some risk on Norfolk Island, and is less common south of there, but still rather widespread, especially on remote Murimotu and the Poor Knights Islands which are also Nature Reserves. ... Learn More

This rare and striking smallish species bears deep green rosettes of leaves on branching stems. Very large spikes of spectacular, fragrant purple flowers, white inside, open in mid summer, creating a dazzlingly dramatic effect. The amazing display is followed by heavy clusters of large berries containing hard black seeds. This smallish Cordyline lives in the wild in moist, temperate forests in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia at altitudes of up to 2200m (7200 ft.). It is a tough plant that prefers cool climates and can take windy conditions and considerable freezes. So far it is little known in cultivation, but should be. Like all cordylines, this plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects. ... Learn More