Episode: #2 0/09/2006
Presenter: Melissa King

The standout feature of the Cordyline'Red Fountain' is its weeping or fountain-like habit, which is much softer on the eye than more formal upright forms. It does display pale lilac flowers in spring and summer but it's the foliage colour which is show stopping, boasting a brilliant burgundy red, and some of leaves even have an attractive pink midrib.

It is stunning plant to look at but is also very tough, doing well in 30 degree heat, freezing cold and with little water.

It is also a groundcover cordyline, so although the leaves are over a metre long, the plant is more compact because of the cascading habit. It is also quick to establish, so it will clump up and spread to around 1.2 metres in width in just a few years.

Apart from the odd watering, and a controlled release fertiliser in spring, it's virtually maintenance free.

Cordylines are native to Australia, New Zealand and the western Pacific region.

When it comes to landscaping with the cordyline, the possibilities are endless. It will grow in full sun or semi-shade. Plant them in big bold groups and the mass of cascading foliage is just magic. You can also use it to punctuate your plantings and provide contrasting colour and form.

For you balcony gardeners, it is sensational in sexy designer pots.