The dark, burgundy red foliage of Cordyline ‘Red Star’ stands out against a background of green foliage, such as Pittosporum ‘Mountain Green’. It makes an intriguing contrast to clipped mounds of topiary such as Buxus sempervirens and is fascinating when growing out of green hummocks of Scleranthus biflorus.

For a bright mix of foliage, plant Cordyline ‘Red Star with Coprosmas such as ‘Pink Splendour’ and ‘Painter’s Palette’ or add it to a burgundy coloured combination of ground covering heucheras or among small trees such as Cercis ‘Forest pansy’ or Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ which have similar colourings. Really it can be included wherever contrast is required, even in summer containers as a bold centre piece, surrounded by small flowered petunias or dark red geraniums. Try it in a raised bed with the new and exceptionally free flowering dwarf Arctotis varieties such as ‘Hannah’ and ‘Hayley’.