Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Cordyline australis 'Salsa'
Salsa Giant Dracaena
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 feet
- Width
- 3 to 5 feet
- Flower color
- Creamy white
- Foliage color
- Lance-shaped leaves with bold stripes of deep red edged with vibrant pink
- Bloom time
- Late spring to 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 'Salsa' is an evergreen shrub native to New Zealand, known for its vibrant, variegated foliage. The plant features narrow, arching, sword-like leaves that emerge in bright pink and red hues, deepening to rich shades as they mature. In late spring, 'Salsa' produces dense clusters of small, fragrant creamy-white flowers, enhancing its ornamental appeal.
This cultivar is distinguished by its upright, clump-forming habit and colorful, weeping foliage. The combination of bright pink and red leaves provides a bold contrast in garden landscapes or container plantings, making 'Salsa' a dynamic addition to various settings.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle
Design tip
The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
