Blog: Get a tropical look all year round with this easy-to-care-for selection
If you want a tropical look in your garden, you can’t do better than hardy palms to provide an architectural backdrop. However, one person’s definition of hardy is another gardener’s failure!
Learning from my mistakes, I decided to compile a list of those palms classified as hardy in the UK in descending order of winter hardiness. My advice – start at the top and work down the list. Unfortunately, some of them need hunting out and one of the most readily available, the Canary Island palm, I’ve never managed to get through a winter.
Several other climate conditions need to be taken into account. Some palms hate windy or exposed sites, or prolonged winter wet. Also, age is a factor. As palms develop a trunk, they get hardier (see below). While a single day of borderline low temperatures might be survivable, a prolonged spell (like the Beast from the East) can kill off the growing point. If this happens, palms can’t form branches and will die.
Providing some winter protection, especially for young hardy palms, can help them establish and thrive in the UK. Well-drained soil and a sunny location are important for growth and health. Once established, they’re fuss-free and drought-tolerant. I grow Trachycarpus fortunei and Chamaerops humilis in raised beds to lift them away from my cold, clay soil. It works a treat. They provide a wonderful architectural backdrop combined with Agapanthus, bananas, bamboo and Phormiums.
Make sure that hardy palms survive to adulthood
It’s good practice to grow hardy palms in containers for a few years before planting them directly out into garden soil. Young plants are nowhere near as hardy as the temperatures listed below – these are for mature specimens. Bring the under cover from the first frosts and then gradually harden them off in May. A cold greenhouse or conservatory is ideal for this. Keep watering to a minimum, but not bone dry.
Wait until the palm is well-rooted in a five-litre pot and has a decent fibrous trunk before planting out. If your soil is clay, waterlogged or cold, consider a raised bed, which will be warmer and drain easily. Plant in mid-spring to allow it to establish before winter. Choose a well-drained, sheltered spot; palms don’t like windswept locations.
A site that receives some winter sun will help, even in very cold periods. Except Trachycarpus, most hardy palms need the sunniest possible spot for healthy growth. Winter sun can help thaw out frozen plant tissue between cold nights. Once a young palm begins to form a trunk, itbecomes much hardier, as the growing point is well protected by layers of plant tissue. Horticultural fleece jackets are the best way to protect young palms from frost.
Water and feed palms from April to September. Don’t feed after October, as this will encourage weak growth, making it much more susceptible to cold damage. Palms cannot be pruned. Trim off dead lower leaves, but do not cut them back flush with the trunk.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan Palm): -15°C
The hardiest UK palm, especially when placed in a sheltered location. T. fortunei features a distinctive fan-like frond structure, but they don’t. cope well in exposed, windy sites. This is the only species of palm that can be grown widely in the UK. It is tolerant of heavier clay soils and some shade.
Hardy palms – Trachycarpus wagnerianus (Miniature Chusan Palm): -15°C
Commonly known as the Waggie Palm, this small and exceptionally hardy palm is similar to T. fortunei but smaller and more suitable for exposed, windy spots. This palm is loved for its compact size, slow growth, robust and wind-tolerant fronds, and cold tolerance. T. wagnerianus was made popular by Japanese gardeners who preferred the smaller leaves.
Trachycarpus latisectus: -15°C
T. latisectus, from North-East India, has broad, glossy, dark green leaves, with similar hardiness to the Chusan palm.
Hardy palms – Rhadipophyllum hystrix (Needle Palm): -15°C
Very cold tolerant, but it requires hot summers. Very slow growing, eventually forming clumps of deep-green leaves to 1m. Needs a sheltered south- or west-facing position.
Jubaea chilensis (Chilean Wine Palm): -14°C
One of the hardiest feather palms. Known for its majestic presence and slow growth, this palm can be an impressive centrepiece. Iit will not tolerate cold, windy situations. In mild areas, it can develop a 5m trunk.
Hardy palms – Chamaerops humilis (European or Mediterranean Fan Palm): -12°C
With compact growth and attractive fan-shaped fronds. Chamaerops have tough, robust leaves and stems, making them wind-tolerant. They grow in a multi-stemmed formation, known as ‘bushy palms’, often as wide as they are tall. In the UK, Chamaerops rarely reach more than three metres high, taking 20 or more years. It can cope with clay soils and partial shade. C. humilis var. argentea from Morocco has silvery-blue leaves.
Sabai minor (Dwarf Palmetto): -12°C
A slow, low-growing fan palm to 60cm with large, stiff blue-green leaves. Requires hot summers to thrive. Most suitable in a sheltered well-lit south- or west-facing spot.
Trithrinax campestris (Caranday Palm): -12°C
Fan-shaped, blue-green, wind-resistant leaves. Slow growing, although the trunk may reach 5m.
Hardy palms – Butia capitata (Jelly Palm): -10°C
Relatively slow-growing feather palm with arching green-blue leaves. It is also suitable for heavier clay soils.
Brahea armata (Mexican blue palm): -8°C
Attractive, slow-growing fan palm with stiff pale blue leaves. Likes a well-drained, sheltered sunny spot.
Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm): -8°C
One I’ve never succeeded with, even in a pot! Once this palm starts trunking it acquires extra hardiness. Keep it in a container for as long as you can move it in winter. A relatively fast-growing feather palm for a sunny, well-drained spot or coastal area.
