PALMS!
Palms are an integral part of a sub tropical garden and have a variety of looks and uses in the home garden! Palms make stunning and exotic features in containers or garden plantings.
There are basic requirements that all Palms need to grow well.
- Palms need a rich and well-drained soil. Whether in a pot or a garden. Most death of palms that Kings staff see is from too much water in the winter. Ideally use Kings Potting or Container Mix and add some extra pumice to the mix if planting in a pot. For outdoor planting, pumice in the hole can be helpful if the soil is not as well draining as it should be.
- Keep your palms sheltered from strong and cold winds, unless the particular variety is suited to those conditions. Palms will look their best in sheltered and warm spots.
- Protect young and delicate palms from harsh sunlight as this can burn the leaves.
- A regular liquid feed for those planted in pots will go down a treat.
At Kings we have an excellent range of Palms, if you are a first time palm grower, or just need some suggestions on what palm is best for you our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you choose the ideal specimen!
Our top Auckland Palm suggestions are...
- DWARF DATE PALM. (Phoenix roebelenii)
This is undoubtedly the most popular small palm. Soft feathery foliage and a trunk that gets more attractive with age. Great for planting under larger palms, and when mass planted look lush and tropical. Ideal for container growing and grows in sun or shade. Growing height 1.2 - 1.8m
- QUEEN PALM. (Arecastrum romanzoffianum)
One of Auckland's most planted Palm. Ideal uses include lining driveways and fence lines or planted as lawn specimens. A head of arching blue green fronds. Prefer full sunlight or semi-shade conditions. Growing height up to 12m.
- KING PALM. (Archcontophoenix alexandrae)
A beautifully trunked slender palm. Great planted in groups. King Palms have beautiful clusters of seed pods after about 4 years. These are reasonably hardy to winds but require ample moisture and a frost free area. Growing height 10 - 13 m.
- BANGALOW PALM. (Archcontophoenix cunninghamiana)
An Australian native palm, with a smooth grey trunk and feathery foliage at the top. Fast growing and a reasonably hardy palm. A good container plant when small. They develop an attractive trunk within 4 years. Growing height 9 - 12 m.
- KENTIA PALM. (Howea fosteriana)
A fantastic specimen for indoors and out. Long arching leaves add a touch of class to any home or garden. Kentias grow best in very sheltered positions and are an ideal indoor plant. Mature palms have long spikes of green fruit turning yellow and red as they ripen. Growing height 7 - 9 m.
Another palm deserving a mention is the Nikau Palm, it is New Zealand's only native palm and is a lovely slender and upright palm with an attractive trunk. They do need shelter when young and are a slow growing palm. A great native choice for any New Zealand garden.
For a larger list of palms and their average growing height refer below...
-Big, fast growing palms: Date palm, Canary Island Date, Senegal Date,Silver Date, Mexican Fan Palm, Queen Palm
-Low growing palms: European Fan Palm, Blue Palmetto, Pygmy Date Palm
-Slow growing palms: Bangalow palm, King or Alexander Palm, Windmill Palm, Kentia Palm, Jelly Palm, Australian Fan Palm, Chinese Fan Palm, Triangle Palm, Majestic Palm, Foxtail Palm.
-Palms for indoors:Parlour palm, Golden Cane Palm, Wedding Palm, Metallic Palm, Assia of Jucara Palm, Fishtail Palm, Bangalow,King, Kentia, Triangle and Foxtail can also be grown indoors.
