1 / 3

Key characteristics

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

Perennials

Cordyline australis 'Red Star'

Red Star Giant Dracaena

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.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Early summer

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)