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Palms add an exoctic air to the garden, especially when grouped together, and there are many to choose from.
Palms have small a root ball and are suitable for planting near buildings, paths and in pots. You can move quite a large palm (with the help of some heavy machinery!) into your garden, giving it an instant look of maturity. Make sure that you dig a generously sized hole when planting, add lots of organic material and compost, and water well. In fact, completely fill the planting hole with water to soak the surrounding soil. Watch how quickly it soaks away. If slowly, then plant you new palm higher than the surrounding soil, and mound soil around it to improve drainage..
Trachycarpus fortunei
Trachycarpus fortunei, the Chinese Windmill palm, is an attractive whorl of leaves with fine frond. Often planted in large terracotta pots it will be happy for years as long as you ensure that it is well watered. Eventually 6.0 - 8.0m.
Cultivation: Prefers a sunny position on a sharply draining soil. Water well, spraying the leaves in hot weather. Suitable in cooler climates.
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, the Bangalow Palm, is a slender-trunked fast growing palm from the north-eastern regions of Australia. Eventually to 20.0m plus (25.0m in the wild).
Cultivation: Prefers a gravel or stony soil with sharp drainage. Plant in orchid mix or similar if planting in a pot. Plant in sheltered position as wind will tear the leaves and protect from cold when young.
Cycas revoluta
Cycas revoluta, the Sago Palm, is slow growing but well worth it for the striking leaves in deep green which grow in a whorl-like pattern from the central shaft. The 'cone' shown in our example takes upwards of 12-13 years to develop. Can be started in a pot and then planted in the garden, but take care not to damage the roots when moving.
Cultivation: Insists on a soil with sharp drainage - gravel or stony soil is ideal. Can withstand some cold and light frost. Plant in orchid mix or similar if planting in a pot.
The Queen Palm or Syagrus romanzoffiana is a fast and easily grown palm with dark-green, feathery fronds which arch gracefully. Good for castal and city gardens (it copes with pollution). Eventually 15.0 - 18.0m.
Cultivation: Prefers a moderately rich soil with good drainage and an open position with sun. Water well in dry periods and throughout the summer.
Phoenix roebelinii
Phoenix roebelinii, the dwarf Phoenix or Date Palm, has arching, feathery fronds to 2.5m on a slender trunk to 3.0m. Its smaller size make P. roebelinii suitable for courtyard gardens.
Cultivation: Prefers a moderately humus rich, soil with good drainage, in sun or light shade. Mulching will improve moisture retention. Withstands some cold and suitable for a range of climates.
Howea forsteriana
Howea forsteriana, the Kentia Palm from Lord Howe Island has an attractively ringed trunk and fine leaves with sparp spine tips. Slow to 7.0m, and can reach 15.0m in the wild.
Cultivation: Pefers a moist, rich soil with sharp drainage. Tolerates cold or hot climate, happy in sun or shade, indoors or out, and even on the coast!
Rhopalostylis sapida The Nikau, Rhopalostylis sapida, is a New Zealand signature plant. The tall, slender trunk is marked with rings. Slow growing, they are most telling when grouped together and a mature specimen should be treasured. Striking flower spike from crown. To 9.0m
Cultivation: Needs a soil rich in organic amtter to replicate its natural bush environment. Plant in a sheltered position in shade although stands sun when established.
Propagation: Seed (germinates in 30 days plus)
