Cordyline 'Charlie Boy'

‘Charlie Boy’ is a named Cordyline australis selection with vivid leaf color: young leaves have cerise-pink margins around a brown center. The cultivar’s patent describes its measurements at about 18 months of age, so those observations should not be read as a final mature size. ## Foliage and growth The [US plant patent](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP20139P3/en) identifies ‘Charlie Boy’ (USPP20139) and reports mean dimensions of about 750 mm tall and 1,000 mm wide at approximately 18 months. It notes that flowers had not been observed at that stage. The species is an evergreen tree in the Asparagaceae family; the [RHS species profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/4361/cordyline-australis/details) describes sun or partial shade and well-drained soil for Cordyline australis. ## Siting Use the colorful foliage as a focal point where it can be viewed closely. Provide drainage and room for the plant to broaden as it grows; the patent’s young-plant measurements are not a mature-size guarantee. ## Maintenance Remove dead leaves as needed and protect young plants where winter conditions are severe. Do not assume the patent’s lack of observed flowers at 18 months means the plant never flowers.