Cordyline (outside)

I have two cordylines in pots on my rear patio. They have been thriving until now. Since the frost over the last week or so, they have drooped considerably and have not recovered. Any ideas about what I can do ?

 

How big are they,

Mine have come through ok so far, but I did wrap the trunks and tie wrap the leaves up to protect the growing point

 

Sorry for my ignorace, but where is the growing point ? There are leaves in the centre that have not droooped, but the rest have drooped to the extent that they appear to have breaks in them. They are about 2 foot high and have been planted about 6 months ago. Will they recover in the warmer weather or are they complete goners ?

 

No problem

the growing point is in the centre of the young leaves in the middle, as long as this is not damaged they will recover....even with this damaged they can still re sprout from the roots but its better to put a bit of protection on it during the worst weather

If they are in pots can you remove them to a more sheltered area? up side of a house wall or against a tall hedge?

 

There is not really a more sheltered spot as they have a 6ft conifer hedge to one side and are about 4ft away from the house wall. Should I remove the damaged/broken leaves or just leave them ? Should the drooping leaves be tied up or will it not make any difference. Do they need feeding or anything, or is it just best to leave them be until next year. When will they start to regrow and recover ? Incidentally, the Cordyline were very dark almost black in colour when I bought them as I wanted black and white pots, so what type of Cordyline does that make them ? Sorry to fire all these questions at you but I am a complete novice at gardening and would not like to do the wrong thing and damage them as they looked so fantastic a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for all your assistance thus far.

 

I would think they are the dark red type, not seen any darker than that

seems they are in a sheltered spot already and the old leaves do get marked and damaged over winter anyway...these can be trimmed off as soon as plenty of new ones have grown next spring/summer....I would leave any damaged leaves in place as these provide extra protection for the trunk....no need to feed at all over winter and I have tied my leaves up but then mine are bedded out in a more exposed and windy place...If I get the chance I'll post a pic of them

 

Hi Redmax
There is quite a dark cordyline, but I think its usually grown as a houseplant, take a look here http://www.monrovia.com/PlantInf.nsf/0/83e22e3fbd79860688256ddf00648c38?OpenDocument
Are you sure its a Cordyline and not a Phormium? There are several very dark Phormiums e.g "Platts Black" See link http://www.mailorderplants4me.com/phormium_euro/phormium_platts_black.html
"Red Sensation" is quite a dark red Cordyline http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/02974.html , others are quite variable in there darkness including C. "Red star" & C. "Torbay Red"
Any chance you could post a pic? The advice given so far on overwintering them, is spot on - you can even get fleece "tubes" to put over them once you've tied them up.
Hope this helps
Bayleaf

 

Thank you for your advice - I will probably not see much improvement until the Spring - so will wait and see.

 

Not a briiliant pic but this might give you some idea, the trunk can be wrapped further if hard frosts are expected