cordia

( KORD - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Cordia is a genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees, commonly called Manjack or Bocote, that need full sun for best performance in the garden. Known for their showy flowers, Cordias are native to tropical areas and the Southwestern United States desert regions. They are generally hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Use Cordia plants as shrubs or small specimen trees, in mixed borders, as informal hedges, accent plants, or shade trees. They are also commonly seen in water-wise landscapes.

cordia Species and Varietals

The genus Cordia encompasses around 300 species of shrubs and trees and is included in the family Boraginaceae. The name of the genus honors a German botanist and pharmacist Valerius Cordus. Refer to the species descriptions below for growing zone information (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map).

Cordia africana (Sudan Teak, Large-Leafed Cordia, East African Cordia, Wanza, Muringa, Mkobokobo)
This species is native to Africa, and is known for producing edible fruit and wood that is used in carpentry, to make musical instruments, and as flooring and high-quality furniture. The species forms a large tree that reaches up to 13-50 feet tall with a dense, umbrella-shaped crown. Green leaves are large and heart-shaped, and the trunk is often crooked. Sudan Teak grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Cordia alliodora (Spanish Elm, Cypre, Salmwood, Ecuador Laurel, Canalete, Laurel Blanco, Pardillo)
This species produces a tree that reaches up to 115 feet tall when mature and is native to the American tropics. It is typically cultivated for its wood (a substitute for mahogany and teak), which is called Freijo or Jennywood. This species is considered invasive in the Pacific Islands, East Africa, and the Galapagos.

Cordia boissieri (Texas Olive, White Geiger, Anacahuita, White Cordia, Mexican Olive)
This species can be grown as a shrub or tree, and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8-24. Native to Mexico, Texas and New Mexico, this species is adapted best to low-lying deserts. It can get to be 12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide at maturity. Leaves are greyish green and white flowers with yellow throats bloom in clusters in the middle of spring. A repeat bloom is possible in the fall given the right conditions and water. Can be pruned as a low hedge or trained into a small tree. Requires moderate water to thrive in landscapes.

Cordia dichotoma (Cordia domestica) (Fragrant Manjack, Clammy Cherry, Glue Berry Tree, Indian Cherry)
This species forms a small to moderate-sized deciduous tree with a spreading crown. Bark is grey-brown and flowers are white, opening only at night. Fruits that follow are yellow and round, turning black when ripe. The species is native to China, India, and southeast Asia. Fruits are sometimes sold pickled in specialty markets. These trees are invasive in Cuba and Mauritius, and are being monitored in Florida, Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands.

Cordia lutea (Yellow Cordia, Yellow Geiger Tree, Muyoyo, Overo, Alkka Mallki, Caujaro, Gomo, Biyuyo, Muercielago, Ubito)
​This species is native to coastal areas of Ecuador, Peru, and the Galapagos islands, and is considered invasive in Hawaii and the Marquesas Islands. It forms a shrub or small tree to 10-20 feet tall at maturity. It is typically multi-trunked, but can be pruned into a single-trunked tree. Flowers are yellow and leaves are green.

Cordia parvifolia (Little-Leaf Cordia, Littleleaf Cordia)
This shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8-12 or Sunset growing zones 8-14 and 18-24. It is native to Baja California and can be used as an informal hedge or border plant. Needs little to moderate water; does not take well to pruning. Individual plants reach up to 6-10 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide and have a mounding shape with woody, somewhat arching branches. Foliage is greenish-grey and leathery and flowers are white.

Cordia sebestena (Siricote, Kopté, Scarlet Cordia, Geiger Tree, Orange Geiger)
This species produces a shrubby tree and is native to the American tropics. It reaches 25-30 feet tall at maturity and naturally forms a multi-trunked tree with drooping branches and a vase-shaped to rounded crown. It can be formed into a single-trunked specimen through pruning. Foliage is evergreen and has a sandpaper-like texture.

Caring for cordia

Plant Cordia in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Standard size shrubs and trees should be planted 10-15 feet apart for best airflow, though smaller cultivars can be spaced 4-6 feet apart. To grow Cordia as a shrub or privacy screen, space about half of their mature width apart. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these shrubs and trees are considered quite drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater for much of the year with supplemental irrigation during extended periods of drought.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage in fall. Minimal pruning is required; these shrubs and small trees perform best when left to attain their natural habit, so choose a spot in the yard that can accommodate their mature size. These plants are considered long-lived perennials, and can survive in the landscape for between 10 and 50 years. Faster growing, tropical species will have shorter life spans than temperate-climate species.

Propagation

The simplest and easiest way to propagate Cordia shrubs and trees is the cutting method. This will produce a propagated plant that is identical to the parent plant, and this method has a relatively high chance of success. To propagate Cordia, follow the instructions below:
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Propagating Cordia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated shrub, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

These shrubs are not usually bothered by pest or disease, but can be affected by:
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Root Rot
  • Leaf Spot
  • Caterpillars
For more information about how to prevent and eradicate these issues, consult the links below:
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Gallery

Cordia shrubs look great when planted with other low-water plants, providing year-round interest.
A Cordia boissieri tree used in a front walkway.
A close-up of Cordia flowers, which look a bit like white Petunias.

Videos

An informational slideshow video about Cordia boissieri.
An introduction to Cordia boissieri.

Resources

Wikipedia: List of Cordia Species
Wikipedia: Cordia
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 259, Cordia