Cordyline australis 'Kaspar'

Kaspar Cabbage Tree

Botanical Name: Cordyline australis 'Kaspar'
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: New Zealand (cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen architectural tree

Overview

Kaspar is a bold, green-leafed form of the New Zealand Cabbage Tree, prized for its dramatic upright silhouette and fountain of long, arching green strap leaves. It develops a stout trunk with age, making it a striking long-term feature in South Australian gardens. Exceptionally tough and versatile, it thrives in coastal, urban, and dry inland conditions alike.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 2.0-3.0 m H x 1.0 m W
• Growth Rate: Moderate; 20–35 cm per year; single-stemmed when young, branching after flowering
• Foliage: Long, arching, sword-like green strap leaves to 90 cm; fresh green with a slight gloss
• Flowers: Creamy-white, sweetly fragrant panicles to 1 m long; late spring to summer; lightly fragrant
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round architectural form; summer flower plumes attract bees and birds
• Wildlife Value: Nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and honeyeaters; berries eaten by birds
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; coastal-tolerant (salt wind); frost hardy to −5°C; wind-tolerant; heat-tolerant
• Planting Density: Specimen: 2–3 m apart; avenue/row planting: 1.5–2 m apart for a bold linear statement
• Pet Friendly: Toxic to dogs and cats — saponins in leaves and berries can cause vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite if ingested. Keep pets away from fallen leaves and berries.

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade; best form and density in full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soils preferred; tolerates sandy, loam and clay soils once established
• Water Needs: Establishment: water 2–3 times per week for the first 8–12 weeks. Established: very low — once every 2–3 weeks in summer; rainfall sufficient in winter in most SA regions
• Maintenance: Remove dead lower leaves as they brown; prune spent flower stalks if desired. Very low maintenance overall.
• Lifespan: 50–100+ years
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Adelaide metro, coastal SA, Barossa, McLaren Vale and Murray regions; handles Hills frosts well
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid (pH 5.5–7.5)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Plant as a bold specimen in a lawn or courtyard to create an instant New Zealand/coastal garden feel
• Use in avenue plantings along driveways or pathways for dramatic vertical rhythm
• Ideal for dry, windy coastal gardens where few plants perform reliably — pairs well with Agapanthus, ornamental grasses and Agave

Why You Will Love It

If you want a plant that works hard, looks spectacular and asks for almost nothing in return, Kaspar delivers. Its bold green fountain of leaves brings a sculptural, resort-like quality to any garden — and once it settles in, it will outlast almost everything else you plant around it.