cordyline australis in a PNW "jungle"

[georgeinbandonoregon]

looking kinda/sorta like a palm---or maybe a giant yucca but not quite the same as either---cordyline australis (aka dracaena australis)  native to New Zealand and widely planted in milder parts of Oregon, Washington, and extreme s. w.  BC, Canada to provide a  "tropical" vibe in the landscape----in this case (hopefully) reinforced by nearby quercus greggii from Mexico, acacia dealbata from Australia, and lithocarpus henryi from China.  Bandon, Oregon USA .  

[Chester B]

Hi @georgeinbandonoregonwelcome to the forum.  Do you have any other pictures of your Lithocarpus henryi?  I have one growing here in Portland but its a baby.  It has had trouble with heat waves in summer for me so it's gotten knocked back. 

Sadly with this extreme cold weather we've been having, many of the larger Cordylines around here may get knocked back a bit.

[georgeinbandonoregon]

On 12/23/2022 at 10:00 AM, Chester B said:

Hi @georgeinbandonoregonwelcome to the forum.  Do you have any other pictures of your Lithocarpus henryi?  I have one growing here in Portland but its a baby.  It has had trouble with heat waves in summer for me so it's gotten knocked back. 

Sadly with this extreme cold weather we've been having, many of the larger Cordylines around here may get knocked back a bit.

Chester, here are some pictures (taken a couple of years ago) of the tree i planted in my brother's back yard in Salem, Oregon showing flowers, foliage, and developing fruits.  likely cordylines may be hurt/cut back by cold weather in the valley---hopefully, they will come back (they often do). sorry for my late reply.

Edited December 30, 2022 by georgeinbandonoregon
add more info.

[Chester B]

Wow that thing looks great.  I wish mine would hurry up and grow.

[Merlyn]

@georgeinbandonoregonhow cold hardy is your Cordyline Australis?  I've thought of trying that here in swampy Floriduh, but I get yearly lows in the upper 20s.  Cordyline Fruticosa (aka Hawaiian Ti) survive *most of the time* at my place, but I do lose at least a couple of stalks per winter. 

[georgeinbandonoregon]

2 hours ago, Chester B said:

Wow that thing looks great.  I wish mine would hurry up and grow.

well, it's been in the ground over 30 years so patience may be an important ingredient for both you and your plant.

[georgeinbandonoregon]

32 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

@georgeinbandonoregonhow cold hardy is your Cordyline Australis?  I've thought of trying that here in swampy Floriduh, but I get yearly lows in the upper 20s.  Cordyline Fruticosa (aka Hawaiian Ti) survive *most of the time* at my place, but I do lose at least a couple of stalks per winter. 

it should resprout from damage as low as 10 f.  and should suffer no cold damage if temps stay about 22 or so.  that said, it may not tolerate hot wet summers  c. stricta from Australia might be a better plant to try????