As
members of the order, Principes,
signifying “princes” of the plant kingdom,
palms arose early in the history of flowering plants,
after primitive families like magnolias, waterlilies,
and peperomias gave rise to the “monocot”
and “eudicot” stocks. Based on recent molecular
evidence, botanists believe that palms developed from
primitive lily-like ancestors to become an important
woody monocot parent stock which later diversified into
higher families such as orchids, bromeliads, and grasses.
All palms belong to the family, Arecaceae,
with over 4,200 species typically found in subtropical
savannahs and moist rainforests, but also native to
harsh desert areas and even frigid plateaus and mountains.
Their popularity in gardens has soared in recent decades,
along with an increased appreciation for their versatility
and diverse beauty.
Among living plants, palms include the flowering plants
with the largest seed, the largest inflorescence, and
the longest leaf. There are species that grow to only
six inches at maturity and others that soar over two
hundred feet tall. Their “adventitious”
root systems occupy an area much smaller than most comparably
sized “trees” and this generally makes for
successful transplanting even with large specimens.
Since a palm cannot increase its girth by adding new
wood, palm trees lack the capacity to repair injuries
to their trunks. Therefore, care should be taken when
planting to assure good drainage, secure anchoring,
and proper planting depth around the root initiation
zone.
The most important part of any palm is the emerging
growth known as the “apical meristem”, or
“spear stem”, which must be protected from
damage during transport or unusual periods of cold weather.
Although some palms can survive in poor soils, most
are heavy feeders and respond to well-drained soils
rich in humus. A balanced fertilizer with minerals and
micronutrients may be applied three to four times a
year.
Below are some of our palms. Call for current inventory / price.
Queen Palm
Scientific Name: Syagrus romanzoffiana
Common Name: Queen palm
Typical height: 40’
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zone:10A-11
Characteristics: Straight trunk to 40’ tall with arching bright
green, glossy leaves that range 10-15’ long. Grows rapidly with water
and fertilizer.
King Palm
Scientific Name: Archontophoenix cunninghamnia
Common Name: King palm
Typical height: 30’
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hardiness Zone:10A-11
Characteristics: They tolerate shade and require moderate water.
Have 10-15’ spread with smooth green trunks creating an elegant look.
This is a very popular palm for contractors and homeowners.
Pygmy Date Palm
Scientific Name: Phoenix roebellini
Common Name: Pygmy date palm
Typical height: 6-10’
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness Zone: 10A-11
Characteristics: Usually multi-trunk (nursery), fine leaves, requires
moisture, will tolerate full sun, however it thrives in part shade.
These palms grow slowly, but are always worth the wait.
Canary Island Date Palm
Scientific Name: Phoenix Canariensis
Common Name: Canary Island date palm
Typical height: 40’
Growth Rate: Slow
Hardiness Zone: 8B-11
Characteristics: Big, thick trunk pineapple like shaped palm with dull
deep green foliage. It requires ample room for potential future growth.
Drought tolerant, and temperature hardy.
Chinese Windmill Palm
Scientific Name: Trachycarpus Fortunei
Common Name: Chinese Windmill palm
Typical height: 25’
Growth Rate: Slow
Hardiness Zone: 8-10b
Characteristics: One of the hardiest palms available being able
to withstand very cold temperatures. It has a slender trunk
covered with dense hairy fiber. These palms also grow very well in
beach ares, such as many parts of San Diego.
Mediterranean Fan Palm
Scientific Name: Chamaerops humilis
Common Name: Mediterranean fan palm
Typical height: 10’
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Characteristics: They achieve optimal growth in full sun. Leaves
green to bluish green. Usually develop several trunks slowly from
offshoots creating a unique look especially when larger in size.
Mexican Fan Palm
Scientific Name: Washingtonia Robusta
Common Name: Mexican fan palm
Typical height: 90’
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Characteristics: Very fast growing, with bright green fan shaped
leaves 4-6’ wide. It will tolerate poor soil but grows
faster in good conditions. This palm is known for its use up and down
the streets in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Mexican Blue / Blue Hesper Palm
Scientific Name: Brahea armata
Common Name: Mexican blue/Blue hesper palm
Typical height: 30’-40’
Growth Rate: Slow
Hardiness Zone: 9b-11
Characteristics: This palm has dramatic icy blue foliage. It
takes drought , heat and down to18 degrees. Despite its slow
growth, the color of the foliage adds variety to the landscape.
Pindo Palm / Jelly Palm
Scientific Name: Butia Capitata
Common Name: Pindo/Jelly palm
Typical height: 12-15’
Growth Rate: Slow
Hardiness Zone: 8-10b
Characteristics: Thick heavy trunk with blue-green arching
foliage, requires average water and high to moderate sunlight, perfect
for Riverside County. We have many Pindo Palms in stock, call for
details.
Bismark Palm
Scientific Name: Bismarkia nobilis
Common Name: Bismark palm
Typical Height: 30-60’
Growth Rate: Slow-moderate
Hardiness Zone: 10a-11
Characteristics: This unique bold and large palm has stunning,
stiff, blue-white foliage that dominates the area that it
inhabits. It enjoys full sun and moderate
water.
