Cordyline Collection

 

For us in the Channel Islands, and sheltered areas on the South coast of the mainland, these palm like trees are a way of life, and often not appreciated for their architectural beauty. But did you realise that what we call Torbay Palms, or Cabbage Palms are not palms at all but are closely related to Phormiums and Agaves? Cordyline australis, in fact a native of New Zealand (the name implies S. hemisphere), is very adaptable and will survive temperatures down to  -6°C without a problem. Did you know that it comes in colours other than green? (Red, yellow, purple, olive green, bronze, pink and variegated!) Did you know there are tall and dwarf forms of Cordyline?

Fauvic Nurseries in Jersey has started a collection of these ’Cabbage Palms’ to give locals and visitors the opportunity to appreciate the range of types and colours available. Related to the Agave family, there are 7 genera and several species and cultivars, most of which will grow quite happily here.

The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG) acts as coordinator to a large number of collections of British and non native plants. Their mission is to conserve, grow, propagate, document and make available the amazing resource of garden plants that exist in Britain. Individuals and organisations hold the collections in trust for the future. Cordylines were one of the ’missing genera’ that the NCCPG were looking to find a collector for, and as they grow so well on Jersey, it seemed a natural choice for us.

Currently the collection has 42 cultivars of C. australis, C. objecta, C. banksii, C. indivisa and C. pumilio (dwarf variety). Others are being continually added as they become available. Many of these are also offered for sale in our shop and here online for your own garden at exceptionally good prices.

The collection, currently in pots while they are relatively small, are being planted into landscaped gardens as they grow to develop in a natural setting. We will be developing it into a tourist attraction, linked to the tearoom. This garden will be open to the public so that everyone can admire and enjoy these stately plants. This is planned for late 2008, so keep checking back.