I just took delivery of FIVE cordyline australis that were removed from a building site in Sheffield, to make way for a new building. I already had three small ones, just leaves with a short stem really, but these are giants! The tallest is about 5m, and the smallest 4m!
I've planted one at the front of the house, in a hole left by removal of a paving slab. I dug it out as much as i could and filled it with compost. It's underlain by rubble and soil mix so it will be well drained.
The other four I've planted in my back garden, in a mix of my garden loam and compost from the beds where they came from (the builders kindly brought me several cwt of it as well). It's all a bit wet after the recent snow but the roots were relatively undamaged so should be ok I think.
My biggest worry is the wid. i have no idea how well they will stand up in the wind, especially if we have gales. They look a bit top-heavy, so I've staked them as best I can, and I'll leave them like that until I think they're securely rooted. I certianly wouldn't want them falling over, as the biggest has a trunk 5-6 inches in diameter and weighs an awful lot!
Shame I didn't get in there earlier as some huge purple Phormiums, Bergenias, Artemisias and a park's worth of other plants went in the skip! |
Here is a link that might be useful: BrianT's Blog
