Landscaping with Palms

A few choice palm trees that should be included in any tropical landscaping plan.

Many homeowners want to create a lush tropical feel in their backyard or their landscape. To do this there are certain plants that are first on everyone’s mind to plant. Palm trees are a great way to add that tropical feel and the atmosphere of the islands to any landscape. These four palms to plant are great starter choices.

Giant Dioon (Dioon spinulosum)

The giant dioon is from the coontie family and is considered an evergreen palm even though it is technically a cycad. It is sometimes referred to as the gum palm. It is a large plant, up to 50 feet tall, with feathery leaves that are five to seven feet in width. Cones are over a foot long.

To plant this soil needs to be moist with good drainage and a partial shade to full sun location. It is propagated by division and by seed. There is a warning as the leaves have small thorns and sharp spots. It has a USDA hardiness rating of zones 9b to 11.

Jelly Palm (Butia capitata)

The jelly palm is from the palm family and is an evergreen drought resistant palm that will be easy to grow. This plant typically gets 12 to 15 feet tall with light green or bluish gray leaves five to ten feet tall.

There are orange fruits on the palm. To plant this soil must be well drained and sandy and the location must be in full sun to moderate shade. Propagate by seeds. It has a USDA hardiness rating of zones 8 to 9.

Seashore Palm (Allagoptera arenaria)

The seashore palm is from the palm family and is an evergreen songbird attracting palm tree. This plant typically gets to approximately six feet in height.

Leaves are feathery and between two and six feet in length. Flower stalks will have both male and female flowers and yellowish green fruits. Fruits look like coconuts but much smaller. Plant this in moderate to full shade in poor soils. Propagate by seeds. It has a USDA hardiness rating of zones 10 to 11.

Rain Tree (Attalea cohune)

The rain tree is from the palm family and is an evergreen palm that attracts songbirds. This plant will get 20 to 50 feet in height with leaves that can range up to 33 feet in length.

Leaves are compound and cream colored flowers are clustered up to five feet in length. Plant this is full sun in a good sandy well drained soil. It is a slow grower and will need a palm fertilizer high in nitrogen. Propagate by seed. It has a USDA hardiness rating of zones 9 to 12.

References:

• Dioon spinulosum (Giant Dioon) - Gardenia.net
• 31 Popular Types of Palm Trees - FarmFoodFamily
• Attalea cohune - florafinder
• Allagoptera arenaria - palmpedia