Cordyline stricta by Sean O

Ciao, Alessandra -

I think you saw Cordyline stricta, which grows around here in older
gardens.  I enjoy this plant as it is very easy and gives a distinct
'tropical' look without a lot of care.  In shade it can be very drought
tolerant once established, but prefers some water occasionally (deeply once
a month in the dry times) to look its best.  The flowers can go unnoticed
as they are very dark in bud and the lilac-purple color fades into a dark
background at a distance, but against a bright wall they are quite
beautiful.  This draceana-like plant can grow vertically up to 12-15ft in a
protected area in age, but the stems are not as 'woody' and firm as C.
australis, which makes much more of a trunk.  It also regenerates rather
quickly if there is the need to cut it back and tidy it up, and rooting the
stems takes little effort of time.  I imagine it is marginally hardy here
where some districts seldom freeze, but I know plants survived the deep
freeze we had here in years past which got down to 17oF.

I have a couple of these in gallon cans right now, rooted from cutting of a
plant I found to be particularly floriferous.  They will hopefully find a
place in a local Palmatum garden where they will provide a nice tropical
look with little care or maintenance.

Here is a photo of the flowers I found on the web:
http://155.187.10.12/images/photo_cd/703931323804/013.html

Best regards,
Sean O.
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