Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Cordyline australis 'Red Star'
Red Star Giant Dracaena
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Height
- 3 to 6 feet
- Width
- 3 to 5 feet
- Flower color
- Fragrant white flowers
- Foliage color
- Deep burgundy-red
- Bloom time
- Early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; remove dead leaves to maintain appearance
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 8 to 11
- Wildlife
- Fragrant flowers may attract pollinators
About this plant
Cordyline australis 'Red Star' is a sub-tropical plant native to New Zealand, renowned for its palm-like appearance and dramatic foliage. This cultivar features arching, sword-shaped leaves in a deep burgundy or bronze-red hue, adding a bold splash of color to gardens and containers. Mature plants may produce large panicles of small, sweetly scented white flowers from late spring to early summer.
What sets 'Red Star' apart from other Cordyline cultivars is its rich, dark foliage and strong architectural form. The plant's upright growth habit and narrow, lance-shaped leaves make it a popular choice for adding height, texture, and year-round interest to landscapes. Its versatility allows it to thrive in both garden beds and containers, making it a favored selection for diverse planting arrangements.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Columbines · Lungworts · Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
