PALM TREES
Palm trees are a popular choice for landscaping in warm climates but can also be grown in cooler regions if you opt for a hardy species that can withstand cold temperatures. There are a wide selection of palm trees available that can be grown in nearly any climate in the world. Most palms are native species of tropical and subtropical regions but several varieties are found in regions such as New Zealand, the Eastern American coast from Florida to New York and in several regions in Asia, including Taiwan. If you are considering using palm trees indoors as part of your décor or as part of your landscaping theme, there are some basics that you should know before choosing the species of palm that are right for your personal needs and climate.
Types of Palm Trees
You will find that there are well over two dozen different types of palm trees. Some of the most popular types of palms include the Washington, Areca, Bismarck, Bottle, Coconut and Windmill varieties. The Areca palm, also called the Butterfly palm, is a taller tree that has long, arching leaves and a smooth trunk. This type of tree is ideal for warm, tropical locations that have plenty of sun year round. The bottle palm is characterized by the bottle shaped trunk and is a much smaller tree than the Areca variety. Bottle palms typically have a rough, grey trunk. Since the bottle palm is quite small it can be grown indoors. The bottle palm is best when grown in temperatures that are above freezing around the year.
The Windmill palm is one of the best options for those living in climates with cooler winter temperatures. The Windmill variety is grown along the east coast of the United States and can be grown both indoors and out. The leaves on the Windmill palm features a sharp, thorny point and the tree has a textured, rough trunk that is usually light brown in color.
Another favorite is the dwarf palmetto, a variety of palm that is quite small and that can withstand temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius. Commonly found in the Southeastern United States, the hardy dwarf palmetto can be grown nearly anywhere in the lower forty-eight states. The dwarf palmetto has leaves with a sharp, spiny tip and a stalk that is typically under five feet high.
The Royal and Queen palm trees are both varieties that prefer a warm climate. Royal palms are found in Cuba, and in the United States, Florida and California. The gray trunk of the Royal palm is scarred from leaf growth as the tree grows. The Queen Palm, like the Royal palm, is a tall tree that is best for the outdoors. Both varieties have deep green leaves and an impressive height that makes both the Queen and Royal palm trees perfect for lining drives and for commercial use, such as landscaping for businesses, in warmer regions.
The Rhapis palm is an ideal option for indoor décor. This palm is typically under two meters tall and grows quite slowly when compared with some varieties of palm tree. The Rhapis also has smooth leaves, unlike many of the other palms that feature a sharp or thorny spike along fronds. The Rhapis palm is native to Asia and can withstand temperatures of -5 degree Celsius. This type of palm also grows best in partial shade, making it the perfect option when you need to brighten a corner in your home.
The Golden palm is another excellent option for the indoors or as a screening plant around pools and patios. The Golden palm has soft, smooth leaves and is fairly short but tends to expand in width the longer it grows. The Golden palm is also resistant to drought. If you tend to forget to water indoor plants or live in a region with lower rainfall amounts, this palm is the perfect choice. While the Golden palm does grow quite tall it is very slow growing and is easy to grow in containers.
The Fishtail palm is a unique species of palm tree that has leaves that are fan shaped and smooth to the touch. This dark green palm tree can be grown in warm regions and grows best with plenty of water. In addition to finding the right species of palm trees for your region, you will want to know more about where palm trees can grow with little, no or extensive maintenance.
