Cordyline Indivisa
A Quick Overview of the Cordyline Indivisa
The Cordyline Indivisa, also known as the Mountain Cabbage Tree and the Broad Leaved Cabbage Tree, is a beautiful and interesting looking tree that can add variety to any landscaping project. However, it takes some special care and consideration to make sure that it reaches its full potential.
The Cordyline Indivisa is native to New Zealand and can be found commonly growing on the South Island in the dry eastern regions of the island.
It is a very distinctive looking tree and is most noted for its leaves which are bluish-gray in color and very broad. The tree itself can grow up to 8 meters tall and has a trunk that is anywhere from 40 to 80 centimeters in diameter. The stem typically does not contain any branches, and if it does have them they are normally few in quantity. The Cordyline Indivisa’s foliage is shaped like a sword and begins dropping with age. It can sometimes have a range or golden tint to it, giving it a unique look.
Some species of the tree have been threatened in New Zealand by a disease referred to as the “Sudden Decline” which is caused by a pathogen called Phytoplasma australiense. Nevertheless, it is not considered to be an endangered plant.
For the most part, the Cordyline Indivisa is not cultivated. However, there are some specialized nurseries that will offer it from time to time. Although it looks very nice in gardens and other landscaping projects, it doesn’t hold up well when there is a shortage of water or then the heat is very high. Although it might appear tropical looking, it actually enjoys growing in the semi-shade and prefers soils that are cool and moist.
When planted, it must be mulched well. Popular forms of mulch that are used with this tree include manure, seaweed, and leaf litter. When the plants are very young, it is important not to bother the roots as they can be very fickle.
Although the trees can be grown in pots, they seem to prefer the outside soil. However, if you live in an area that is very hot or gets a lot of direct sunlight all through the day then you might need to take extra care with your tree since these are not suitable conditions for it to grown in. In the United States, it tends to do best when growing in the northern California, southern Oregon region.
Diseases, for the most part, are rare, as are pests. However, the trees can suffer from thrips and spider mites on occasion. The spider mites are generally only bad when the trees are grown in pots.
Some people debate whether or not the dead leaves should be removed from the tree. Usually, this is advised when it comes to plants. However, on this kind of tree, even the dead leaves provide moisture for the entire tree. If you live in a climate that receives an ample amount of precipitation that it should be fine to remove them. However, if you live in a climate that is warm and dry then you might want to consider leaving the leaves so that they can continue to provide moisture to the tree. If the leaves do not come off easily, then you should cut them off and not pull at them.
When planted, they can give your garden a tropical and exotic look, even though they are not tropical plants. They can also add some height to your garden and can provide a nice contrast to any low rising plants that you have planted near them. People plant them as individual trees or in rows and both can look attractive.