There are only a couple of 'true' Cordylines native to New Zealand. All other variations are man made (same with phormiums). Most of these variations will turn to mush when the Winter rains start on them. However, I have had some good success with the 'Torbay Dazzler' type. This is a pretty striking beastie which grows relatively quickly and looks beautiful in the sun.
Unlike the common green Cordyline (which must be in just about every garden in Britain now) this one grows a slender trunk and slender leaves. Watch out for slugs and snails though. They don't eat them, rather they slime all over the part where the leaves meet the stem causing them to rot. This is only an issue when they are small.
Like this picture shows you want to make them a feature plant. For Winter protection all you need to do is tie the topmost leaves together into a point and leave it alone. Mine has withstood -7 last year without any harm. They don't like Winter rain as this, combined with the slug slime, starts the basal rotting off.
In wet Winter weather the leaves will show some brown circles. This is just a reaction to the cold and damp. Don't worry about it the Summer will drop these leaves and give you a huge number of new ones to glory at.
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