Do you like palm trees? And the tropical gardens? So let me tell you something: there are a few tropical palms that can be grown in temperate regionsincluding the ones we have in Spain. And no, I’m not talking about the Canarian palm or the date palm, both quite common in our country (especially the former because it is native to the Canarian archipelago as its name suggests).
As you may not believe me, I have selected some that can withstand the cold, and even some frost. Take a look and get to know them.
Archontophoenix maxima
The Archontophoenix maxima (known in English as Walsh River Palm), is an endemic species of Queensland in Australia. As his surname indicates, It is the highest of the Archontophoenix genus, with a height of up to 30 meters. But despite its height, its trunk remains slim, about 30-35 centimeters thick. The leaves are pinnate and long up to 4 meters in length.
It looks a lot like other Archontophoenix, in particular Archontophoenix Alexandrae.
. But she is on the list and not others because she grows fast, and she is pretty. In addition, I would almost dare to say that it supports direct sun better than others, of course, provided that it has the opportunity to get used to it little by little. For example, and to give you an idea, I have a specimen in a corner of the garden, where it is shaded on all sides except above.Little by little, as it gains height, it gets more and more sun, and thus it does not suffer damage. Otherwise, it resists frosts down to -2ºC.
Chambeyronia macrocarpa
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- Image – Flickr / Scott Zona
The Chambeyronia macrocarpa (known in English as red leaf palmor palm tree with the red leaf) is a jewel native to New Caledonia. It can grow up to 20 meters in heightbut its trunk barely thickens 25 centimeters. The leaves are pinnate, green and with broad leaflets. Depending on the variety, the new leaf may be red, and / or have a green trunk with white spots (the Chambeyronia macrocarpa ‘Watermelon’).
It must be kept in the shade, since the direct sun ‘burns’ it, especially if it is young and / or is not acclimatized. It resists without problems the frosts of up to -2ºC.
Dypsis cabadae
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- Image – Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
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- Image – Flickr / Scott Zona
The Dypsis cabadae is very similar to Deeply shiningbut since the latter is very common in homes, I introduce you to the D. cabadae. It is native to the Comoros, in East Africa. It can reach 12 meters in heightwith several thin and ringed stems or stipes of about 10 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are pinnate, and are up to 2 meters long.
Like the D. lutescens (known by the name of areca or yellow palm tree), requires young shade. It can withstand weak and occasional frosts down to -2ºC.
Prichardia minor
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- Image – Wikimedia Commons / David Eickhoff from Hawaii, USA
The Prichardia minor It is a species of palm native to Hawaii, specifically from the island of Kauai, at an altitude of between 500 and 1300 meters. It is the species of the genus that lives at the highest altitude, so it is also the one that best resists the cold. Reaches 10 meters in heightwith a thin trunk of about 20-30 centimeters.
It grows in the sun or in semi-shade, although yes, in case of frosts, they must be very punctual and short. From experience I affirm that it supports up to -2ºC (In the English portal Daves Garden they say that it holds up to -3ºC, although it may be a lot for her). If you can have it in a sheltered area of the garden, it will appreciate it.
Mary of Livistona
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- Image – Wikimedia Commons / David J. Stang
The Mary of Livistona It is an indigenous palm tree of Australia, to be more specific, it grows only in a region known as Palm Valley, in Gargante Finke National Park. Reaches a height of 10-15 meterswith a trunk 35-40 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are palmate, green in color although they turn red if the direct sun hits them (especially when young).
You have to put it in the sun, although it will grow correctly if it is in semi-shade. Otherwise, resists up to -6ºC.
Parajubaea cocoides
Image – Wikimedia / Kahuroa
The Parajubaea cocoides It is native to South America, specifically from Colombia to Ecuador. It can reach a height of 20 meterswith a trunk of about 35 centimeters. Its leaves are pinnate, about 3-4 meters long, and green. Its fruits are edible.
It looks very similar to the coconut tree (Cocoa nuts), but it is much more resistant than him: withstands frosts down to -4ºC. Put it in the sun, and enjoy it.
Note: in Spain it may be easier for you to find the Parajubaea tollaryi. It is practically the same as P.cocoidesalthough its height is slightly higher.
Sabal cases
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- Image – Wikimedia Commons / Guettarda
The Sabal cases It is a kind of palm tree that can surprise us a lot if we know its origin: the Caribbean. Specifically, it grows on the islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. Reaches a height of 10-12 meterswith a straight trunk of 35 to 70 centimeters. The leaves are costapalmate, and appear in number from 20 to 30 in the adult specimens. These, when they dry, remain attached to the stem for a long time, so much so that insects and birds use them as a refuge and / or nest.
Where to put it? To the sun. He has to give it fully, even from a young age. It may be in semi-shadow, but if you can, have it better exposed to the star king directly. It resists without problems the frosts of until the -5ºC.
What do you think of these tropical palm trees?
