Description
🌿 Appearance & Description
Cordyline australis ‘Variegata’ features upright, sword‑shaped leaves with striking cream to white stripes contrasting against green margins. New growth often appears lighter, gradually maturing into bold, variegated foliage.
Growing as a small tree or robust shrub, it typically reaches 1–2.5 m tall and 1–1.5 m wide in garden settings, with eventual heights of up to 4–8 m over many years in milder climates.
🌸 Flowers & Fruit
When mature, this variety may produce fragrant, creamy-white flowers in summer, borne in large panicles. These are usually followed by small berries that attract birds.
🌞 Growing Conditions & Care
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Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Bright light helps maintain clear variegation.
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Soil: Best grown in well‑drained, moisture-retentive soil, tolerant of drought and coastal exposure.
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Hardiness: Hardy down to approximately −5 °C to −6 °C, thriving outdoors in USDA zones 8–11 or in containers in cooler regions.
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Water & Feeding: Water regularly while avoiding waterlogging. Fertilize in spring and midsummer for best growth.
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Pests & Issues: Generally low-maintenance; monitor for scale, spider mites, or tip burn. Calcium sprays can help prevent browning margins in high humidity conditions.
🎋 Landscape Use & Styling
This variegated cordyline makes an architectural focal point in garden beds or terraces. It’s often grown in large containers to protect its cold-sensitive roots in winter. The foliage contrasts beautifully with dark foliage plants or evergreen shrubs.
It is especially well-suited to coastal and modern garden designs, offering year-round visual interest and sculptural form.
📋 Quick Reference Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Cordyline australis ‘Variegata’ (syn. ‘Torbay Dazzler’, ‘Sparkler’) |
| Foliage | Green leaves banded with cream-white variegation |
| Growth Habit | Slow-growing; erect rosette changing to branching trunk |
| Size | ~1–2.5 m tall; up to 4–8 m long-term |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Well-drained, moderately moist |
| Hardiness | Down to around −5 °C / −6 °C |
| Flowers / Fruit | Creamy-white fragrant panicles; small berries |
| Care | Regular watering, balanced feeding, protect in frost |
With its elegant vertical form and dramatic foliage contrast, Cordyline australis ‘Variegata’ is an eye-catching choice for structured gardens, patios, or containers.





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