Back to the garden

Our Thanksgiving turned out great!

Thanks for asking.

Everyone came. Everyone ate. Everyone ate some more.

Now, back to gardening...

After a porch expansion last spring, I finally had room to put a black metal urn that I'd been saving next to my front door. I planted it with coleus, begonias, lobelia, a 'Fire Island' hosta and a tropical -- Cordyline australis 'Red Star' -- that was new to me.

The begonias and lobelia never did well. The coleus was nice until frost. And I planted the hosta back into the garden several weeks ago. But that cordyline is still carrying that urn all by itself! I'm very impressed. It's already survived temperatures in the low 20s. I'd planned on just calling it an annual, but it's done so well that I think now I'll try bringing it into the house once I give it some time to adjust in the garage.

Cordyline australis 'Red Star' has long, thick, narrow burgundy leaves and can grow to about 36 inches tall. It's related to the common houseplant 'Dracaena' but its leaves are longer and narrower. Mine grew in full shade and kept its color, though plant profiles recommend full to part sun.

Its color and form would make it a great accent in the garden, too.