Family Asparagaceae
Garden origin.
- Strikingly pink/burgundy and apricot columns of soft sword-shaped leaves.
- Makes a column of evergreen foliage adorned with large scented white flowers.
- Hardy in southern and coastal gardens once established.
This brilliantly apricot and burgundy striped variety of the iconic and indispensable species has been much admired in the exotic woodland garden at Urban Jungle Beccles. For sheer colour impact, it has few rivals, forming a tall column of foliage, it keeps its lower leaves longer than the species before slowly reaching over 2m tall, when it may begin to form a trunk.
It produces small spikes of heavily scented white flowers, like miniature versions of the species, C. australis, which are loved by all pollinators. It’s ideal for exotic, coastal, Mediterranean planting schemes, and sunnier spots in jungle gardens, where its loud colours can contrast exotically with darker foliage plants. Growing very well in pots, it has the architectural qualities to make repeated accent points or form centerpieces in contemporary designs, placed on patios or roof terraces.
Our young plants, in the ground for only 6 months, survived the harsh winter of 2022 with some damage, but are regrowing strongly, and we expect them to be hardier once established. Their robust foliage is very wind tolerant making it an excellent choice for gardens in coastal exposure. Easy to grow in all but the heaviest wet soil.
Height and spread after 10 – 20 years 4m x 1.5m