Find the palm tree that that works best for your yard.
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Palm trees are cherished for the tropical flair they add to any setting.
When selecting palm trees, take into account their desired function in the landscape.
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It grows an orange fruit similar to dates without much flavor.
This palm can be planted as a single specimen or in groups along a border.
In cooler regions, it is grown incontainers.
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The tree has long, arching fronds that stretch 15 to 20 feet.
It grows about 1 to 3 feet a year.
Cultivars that do well in Florida include Jamaican Tall, Malayan Dwarf, and Maypan.
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Spindle Palm
The spindle palm has a somewhat formal look.
It makes a wonderful specimen in smaller spaces, such as entryway planting beds and poolside gardens.
It is native to the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean.
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Plant it in full sun in zones 10-11, or southern Florida and Texas.
Fast-Growing Palm Trees
Foxtail Palm
The foxtail palm is a fast-growing plant native to Australia.
It is hardy in zones 10-11 and popular in South Florida.
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The palm is available in single or multi-trunk specimens with a smooth gray bark.
It is tolerant of limestone soils and rocky sands and has excellent drought resistance.
The seeds are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested.
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The single-trunk palms are often planted in groups to quickly create shade.
Although the fruit isn’t toxic, it can cause blockages in pets' stomachs if ingested.
It is a graceful-looking palm widely used in entryway gardens and poolside plantings.
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Its small size makes it quite versatile in the landscape.
It is self-cleaning, which adds to its easy maintenance.
The open canopy boasts long, stiff fronds, adding to the plants interesting architecture.
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The bottle palm is cold-sensitive and only hardy in the Tropical South (zones 10-11).
Overall, this slow-growing palm is easy to care for with few problems.
It is critically endangered in its native Mascarene Islands.
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Provide plenty of space around this beauty to show off its remarkable features.
Native to Madagascar, Bismarck palms are drought tolerant and hardy in zones 10-11 in the Tropical South.
This drought-tolerant palm requires little irrigation once established.
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With protection, it can even go as low as zone 7b (central Oklahoma and Tennessee).
Once established, it has good drought tolerance.
It also stands up well to wind, salt, and humidity, making it widely adaptable.
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This fast-growing palm grows 30 to 50 feet in 10 years.
Palm Trees For Shade
Areca Palm
The Areca palm.
also called golden cane palm, is grown both outdoors and as a houseplant.
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It is endangered in its native Madagascar.
It is somewhat drought tolerant but will grow better when regularly watered.
Lady Palm
The lady palm is a small clustering palm perfect for shady spots in the landscape.
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The foliage is glossy and lush and has a layered appearance.
Though the plant does tolerate the sun, the dark green foliage keeps its color better in shade.
Also, look for variegated varieties.
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Indoors, it is a slow grower that tops out at a height of 10 feet.
Native to Madagascar, it is becoming increasingly rare in the wild.
The majesty palm has feather-like light-green fronds and grows small yellow-white flowers and red fruit when mature.
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Windmill Palm
The windmill palm is a stout palm with fan-shaped fronds and a compact growth habit.
Windmill palms grow slowly and will remain small for many years.
The windmill palm is well suited to smaller landscapes.
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They perform best in part shade and are moderately drought tolerant once established.
Windmill palms will require additional irrigation if planted in full sun.
Cold-Hardy Palm Trees
Needle Palm
Among the hardiest palm species is the needle palm.
The needle palm is a shrubby fan palm.
Hardy to zone 8b in the Lower South, its native range extends up the coast into North Carolina.
This palm toleratesmany soil typesand acidity levels, although it prefers alkaline conditions.
These trees were named after the taste of their edible immature leaves.
This slow-growing, clumping palm is highly salt-tolerant, making it an excellent selection forcoastal gardens.
Christmas Palm
This palm had red berries in the wintertime, hence its name.
Native to the Philippines and Malaysia, it is also called the Manilla palm.
It is drought-tolerant and handles moderate salt spray.
Plant in groups of two to four for an arched, clustered look.
The Christmas palm is hardy to zones 10b and 11 in the Tropical South, like South Florida.
In cooler climates, it is grown indoors.
Friends of the Port St Lucie Botanical Gardens.Foxtail Palm in The Gardens.
Animal Poisons Helpline Limited.Queen Palm.
