Landscaping Around a Palm Tree

The Landscaping Around the Palm Trees Here Suit the Tropical Feel of the Area

PRE-STEPS TO GETTING STARTED

Remember safety! Think of the safe way to do your landscaping around your palm tree. Some may seem like they're common sense. But others you might not have thought of.

THINK SAFE PLANNING

Contact your local area's system for figuring out where underground utilities are located. That's essential when landscaping around a palm tree. 

• You may think you know where they are. Yet, sometimes regulations exist about the distance some greenery may be planted. You'd want to know that. 
• Call one of your local utilities to ask about it. 
• Or you can google, as I've done for our yard: "find underground utilities in Tucson." I found out I can call a number for free service. Some try to get you to hire them, so be aware.

Don't Be Surprised by Finding These!

EVEN MORE UNDER THE GROUND

Be cautious about prior homeowner underground sprinkler, electrical or drain installations. A previous homeowner may not have shown you.

If there's a reason to suspect them in an area, then dig slowly and carefully.

THINK ABOUT TOOLS

• Know the right way to use your tools. We recommend reading instructions. Already familiar with them? Remember your experiences that helped with safety.
• With power tools, be sure cords aren't frayed. That plugs can be grounded. 
• Don't let power cords drag into wet areas.

Make Sure Your Tools Won't Be Shocking!

PREPARE TO WORK SAFELY

Wear eye protection when digging, raking, or placing plant/ground applications. Will you be stirring up dry soil, causing rising dust? Or using anything with toxic warning labels? Yuk! NO inhalation please...

• Be sure to wear a disposable filtering mask. 
• Inhaling that stuff can cause lung problems. If not immediately, it's possible further down the road. (Believe me, We Know!) A typical work N-95 mask is best.

Who's That Masked Man?
Someone Who's Being Smart, Doing Safe Work!

Avoid your gardening work when too tired. While you're working take intermittent rest breaks. Don't garden when drinking alcohol or influenced by sedating drugs.

Wanted to Do Landscaping - But Took a Nap Instead!

WATER & FERTILIZER FOR GRASS VS. PALM

Or even nearby ground cover, tropical landscaping plants or flower beds. If they're just about hugging the palm's trunk. The nutritional needs aren't often the same.

Your lawn, cover plants & flower needs will probably be different. If you only think of those needs, the palm will suffer. It could even die!

But, if you attend to the palm's needs, surrounding plants may suffer a little. Or not at all.

The Palms in This Park Near Darwin Australia Could Be in Danger! Why oh Why?!

WHAT TO DO?

Remove an area of these plants surrounding your palm tree. About 3 feet outward. Then refill the area with mulch for an attractive look.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!

• Choose palms for contrasting coloring, trunk patterns & the look of The Fruits.
• Aim for variation in leaf forms & colors
• Sizing matters! Choose plants with heights from very low to the ground, to a bit taller than a person.

Does it Look Like a Raging Palm Jungle Here?
Or Pleasing Landscaping Around a Palm Tree!
At DuPlooy's Jungle Lodge in Cayo, Belize
Photo Courtesy of Dennis Jarvis

Phoenix roebelenii is an ideal closely triple-planted accompaniment.

• A thirsty sort. Likes warmth, US Planting Zones 9, 10 & 11. Prefers sunnier spots. Known to tolerate a momentary freeze.
• Dark green fronds. New growth looks smoky green. Pale flowers along a 2-foot inflorescence. Fruits are 1/2 inch black.
• Solitary trunk starts. Expands width as it goes upward. About 6 to 8 feet tall.

The Pygmy Date Palm asks for specific needs to be happy!

Chamaedorea cataractarum is from Oaxaca, Chiapas & Tabasco Mexico. Growing in rain forests by rivers & streams. Also called Cat Palm. Needs regular watering, loves humidity & full sun. Best in Zones 9b, 10 & 11.

• Clustering palm whose stem forks just above ground. Growing about 6 feet tall, expanding to 10 feet wide.
• Feathery, delicate looking pinnate fronds are dark green, about 12" long.
• Yellow flowers along 1-1/2 foot branching inflorescence. Small 1/2" red or black fruits.

Chamaedorea cataractum, Often Called the Cat Palm for Short. We Like That Nickname!

Rhapis excelsa probably originated in southern China. Never been seen in the wild. Now most dwarf types are cultivated in Japan.

• Bushy palm tree clumper with narrow stems, grows to about 10'. 
• Attractive palmate glossy green fronds. Look for variegated leafed variety, if you run on the exotic side of life! 

Figure Out Your Best Placement

Guihaia argyrata is indigenous to southernmost China & northern Vietnam.  It doesn't like full sun. Best in zones 8b to 11.

Grows slowly to about 3 foot tall. Hardy and tolerant. Not common in most nurseries. But can be found. You'll need to be accurate with its care.

• Are you in the desert? Plant this where there's partial shade. Can tolerate momentary freezes. Needs well drained soil.
• Gorgeously unique palmate frond comes off the node in a full 3' wide circle, like a starburst.
• Range of dark green fronds on top, with contrasting light green vein. Underside's tan with a silvery glow. Upright florescence has tiny white flowers producing tiny round black fruit.

Its Crown Leaves are Armed With Spines

Sabal minor is endemic in the US southern states. Plus south coastal Atlantic. 

• Most northerly naturally growing U.S. palm. Survives northern climes to Zone 6.
• As seen below, it likes water. Doesn't have to be in a swamp, but prefers moist soil. Even tolerates drying out for a bit. 

Dwarf Palmetto growing happily in a swampy preserve in a U.S. southern state.

Allagoptera arenaria originated in sand dunes of coastal Brazil. Where it gets full sun - which it loves. Hardy in Zones 8a to 11.

• Maxes out at 8 feet tall. Have sandy soil? It's a great choice. Very salt immune. Has quite the shrubby look.
• Delicate pinnate fronds easily flutter. Dark dusty green tops, with bottom's waxy surface giving a silvery shine.
• Can be tested in areas where Palms Can Grow - if you're willing to give it watchful care.

This Seashore Palm is growing at the Koko Crater Botanical Garden in Oahu, Hawaii

Chamaedorea microspadix originated in Mexico's Sierra Madre Oriental. It's a nice clumper! Very cold hardy. Maybe the best outside of tropical areas.

• Gets 12 feet tall, spreading 8 feet wide. Very thin trunk struggles holding up long pinnate fronds. As they slump you view the dark green stem with intermittent white rings. Reminiscent of bamboo.
• Another with dark green leaf top & silvery bottom. Tiny very light yellow flowers produce small orange-red fruit.
• With severe cold it may die to the ground. But can regenerate!

Hardy Bamboo Palm - It Tolerates Some Cold Temperatures.
And Comes Back From the "Dead"

Rhapidophyllum hystrix endemic in specific areas of U.S. southeast. Naturally thrives in swampy lowlands, coastal plains & deciduous groves.

• Slow grower. Needs moisture to survive. 
• It's having a difficult time. Collectors have retrieved wild plants. Wild reproduction isn't easily accomplished. With these other factors, it's now almost gone throughout original habitats.
• If you come upon one, please keep these things in mind. It needs careful nurturing. Maxes out at 12 feet.

Maybe You Should Overlook This One - Or If Available, Nurture It for Preservation!
This Specimen Grows in Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami

Serenoa repens is also original to parts of the southeastern U.S.

• Naturally likes coastal sandy plains & dunes or nearby piney woods. Variable for sunlight, full to partial. Moisture adaptive too. Can grow out of control. Many Florida HOAs ban it!
• Clustering trunk, below ground, it seems trunkless. It creeps outward to about 20', almost like ground cover. Slowly grows to 6' high.
• Palmate fronds are waxy, silvery bluish-green color. White flowers on many branched 2-3' long inflorescence. Bees love them, making delish honey!

What Do You Think About Banning a Palm Tree?
Our HOA Bans Certain Species! Many More Than Just One!!

Cultivated Howea forsteriana can average 12+ feet. But potting can contain its growth.

• Well loved for the arching stems. From which the tapered fronds flop downward. 
• When established, can endure short temp durations of 28^oF (-2.2^oC). But be cautious about that!

Sentry Palms in Containers for Ambience at Patio Sol in the Valencia Hotel, LaJolla CA

Lucuala grandis has gorgeous palmate circular fronds. Does well going from outside to inside. Don't let it dry out!

• The crown contains most of the leaves. From 12+ gleaming green fronds.
• Amidst which grow short flower stalks. 
• Tiny fruits are very red.

Find a Fabulous Pot for This Exquisite Type of Indoor Palm

Lytocaryum weddellianum is also called Miniature Coconut Palm. (But it's not in the Cocos genus!) Very stylish appearance.

• Growing slowly, it only gets 6' tall. One reason it's good potted.
• Pinnate fronds are dark green, with grayish hue below. 

Lytocaryum weddellianum
Can You Guess Why It's Nicknamed the Wedding Palm? Probably!
Lives at the Naples Botanical Garden in Florida

Pinanga coronata needs good watering, with fast drainage.

• New growth fronds appear pinkish, then turn green to dark green with age. 
• Likes partial sun.

An Ivory Cane Palm Grows at the McKee Botanical Garden
In Vero Beach Forida