S & J Nursery’s Guide to Growing
Dwarf Cordyline ‘Fairchild Red’
for the Northeast Florida Landscape
Dwarf Cordyline Fairchild Red Origins:
– A new introduction here at S & J Nursery, cordyline ‘Fairchild
Red’ is a dwarf hybrid that reaches only 2 -3 ft high and wide and is perfect for the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area gardens and landcapes. Unlike others of the Cordyline family, these brightly colored plants are touted to be hardy all the way to zone 8!
Preferred Exposure of the Dwarf Cordyline Fairchild Red:
– Fairchild Red Cordyline can be planted in a full sun to partially shaded location in the North Florida | Jacksonville | St. Augustine area landscape. Best or brightest foliage color will be achieved in a brighter sun location.
Foliage of the Cordyline Fairchild Red Plant:
– Thin straplike foliage is brightly colored with green, hints of bright
pink and darker reddish burgundy foliage. The foliage is upright and gently arches downward to form a mounded habit.
– Evergreen or Winter Dormant ? Unknown…Fairchild Red is a new
introduction here at S & J, and I like to have experienced how each hybrid does myself so that I know for sure. So I’ll let you know how they do next spring! In the meantime…here is the information for Cordyline in general…
– Foliage may remain evergreen during the winter in our North Florida area gardens, but can go dormant and regrow from undamaged stems or from the roots the following spring depending on winter conditions and temperature exposure. Cordyline plants are particularly responsive to their individual planting location. When planted on the south side of the house away from north winds, or where receiving some frost protection form larger trees or nearby buildings, cordyline plants have been known to remain evergreen in the roughest of winters here in North Florida.
Soil Preference / Salt tolerance of Cordyline Fairchild Red:
– Cordyline plants prefer moist but well draining soils that are rich in organic matter so ammend your planting hole generously when planting into our Norhteast Florida landscapes.
– Cordylines have poor salt tolerance.
Size Variance of the Cordyline Fairchild Red Plant:
– Dwarf hybrid reaches only 2-3 ft high and 2ft wide!
Growth Rate:
– Sorry, the answer here is slow, don’t expect this one to reach its full size
potential till around the third year in the landscape.
Water Requirements:
– Although much more durable once established in the landscape, regular water is necessary to get the plant rooted and growing on it’s own after being planted in the ground from an S & J Nursery container. Water every day for the first week then every other day for the next week, and continue to taper watering black to a minimum of once a week.
– Use supplemental irrigation once to twice a week after the plant is
established and growing in the landscape especially during the hot summer months. Cordyline plants have a tendency to experience damage to the foliage during prolonged exposure to drought.
Best Use for the Dwarf Cordyline Fairchild Red Plant in the Jacksonville | St.
Augustine Area Landscapes :
– The Dwarf Habit and colorful textured foliage makes Fairchild Red Cordyline perfect for mixing among other flowering plants in the perennial border or container planting.
– Beautiful when planted in small groupings to accent a palm tree, bird bath, fountain or other garden accents.
– Easy care plant for containers on pool decks, patio areas, walkways, home
entry accents etc.
Care of Cordyline Dwarf Fairchild Red in the Northeast Florida Landscape:
– Amend the soil generously with compost at planting time to ensure that the plant will have moist but well draining soils.
– If planting Cordyline into flood prone areas or areas that hold
water after heavy rains, be sure to plant them into an elevated mound of soil to let the roots get air during storm season. just 4-6 inches above grade can keep your plants beautiful in these areas instead of watching them suffer.
– Water every day during the establishment period after planting in the garden from an S & J Nursery container.
-Trim off cold damaged foliage in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Fertilize with a slow release garden food like Osmocote directly after spring pruning and again in summer.