@Smaher1979 Welcome .Scissors rather than shearers is best when tackling a Phormium. Plus some eye protection. I would leave the Cordyline until spring after frosts have passed. I have know the top growth on Phormiums die right back in very cold winters. They can be cut to the ground they should recover but very slowly. They split really well but you neeed to be strong to tackle this kind of job. Both plants from the southern hemispere so it isn't surprising that in a cold winter here there are problems. Not always pointed out at the GC's so worth a check on your Phone before purchase plants if that is possible.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Smaher1979 Sorry some confusion you only asked about Cordylines. If the leaves are really dead you may find some of them blown away overnight in the wind!
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
The link that @AnniD has posted is really comprehensive @Smaher1979, I’d follow the advice there. From my experience, after a couple of years Cordylines don’t fare very well in pots, so if yours are potted, try to find a sunny location for them in your garden in the spring if possible. The plain green Cordylines seem to be hardier than the red or variegated ones, depending on location and soil.
My cordylines are all in pots and have really thrived until now. They are in a shady spot on a gravel area of the garden. I'm gutted as the biggest one started as a small plant from aldi and grew to about 3ft over last 2 to 3 years
They tend to do OK in pots for a couple of years but really need soil depth to send down their deep roots to do well. They also prefer a sunny location. Having restricted roots in pots and being above ground in freezing conditions will be a cause of the symptoms you are seeing unfortunately.
@Smaher1979 Your cordylines have done ok in the last few winters because it has been mild. Then suddenly we have a colder ,wetter winter, this is a normal occurance, it is at this point when it is necessary to accept that you have taken a risk.
You have nurtured one from a small plant, gardening is sometimes about accepting what has happened even if it upsetting. It is then a question of either trying again but risking the same happening again, or accepting you have enjoyed your plants and it is the opportunity to try something new and exciting if you do loose them.
I would question if any supermarket that sell plants such as cordylines explains to their customers that they will suffer or die in a cold winter, sadly many people just buy in good faith.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I’m also in the central belt of Scotland and had similar with two potted cordylines. They did regenerate from the roots in spring but I have accepted they will never get to be like the tall tropical-like trees often seen in photos. Probably a case of the wrong plant in the wrong place for me.
They often look bad here @Wild_Violet - wet and cold again, is the problem. Phormiums are more reliable, although they can get a bit of a thrashing too in most winters, depending on variety. They come away more quickly though. My Cream Delight has a had a good going over , but it'll return once I cut off all the dead stuff. It's an annual process, but worth it. One of my favourite plants I'd agree with what @GardenerSuze and @Plantminded have said re site and depth, for potted ones.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Wild_Violet When they regenerate from the base you can have a more interesting plant in terms of it's shape. I have never grown them but they are popular, gardeners like them for the centre piece in a pot, they give height and they are evergreen, which is seen as a bonus. Annuals can complete the scheme.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
They wlll only grow to tropical like trees in the ground @Wild_Violet and in a part of the country that does not get severe winters. My neighbour at the back has some impressive examples, I can see one which must be over 4m tall towering above their conifers and holly. It's very disappointing to nurture a plant in a pot and then see it suffer as it ages because it really isn't suited to those restricted conditions.
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I have know the top growth on Phormiums die right back in very cold winters. They can be cut to the ground they should recover but very slowly. They split really well but you neeed to be strong to tackle this kind of job.
Both plants from the southern hemispere so it isn't surprising that in a cold winter here there are problems. Not always pointed out at the GC's so worth a check on your Phone before purchase plants if that is possible.
You have nurtured one from a small plant, gardening is sometimes about accepting what has happened even if it upsetting. It is then a question of either trying again but risking the same happening again, or accepting you have enjoyed your plants and it is the opportunity to try something new and exciting if you do loose them.
I would question if any supermarket that sell plants such as cordylines explains to their customers that they will suffer or die in a cold winter, sadly many people just buy in good faith.
I'd agree with what @GardenerSuze and @Plantminded have said re site and depth, for potted ones.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have never grown them but they are popular, gardeners like them for the centre piece in a pot, they give height and they are evergreen, which is seen as a bonus. Annuals can complete the scheme.