Landscaping Around a Palm Tree - Ideas for You

Let's think of Initial Planning for landscaping around a palm tree. What's the best way to be ready? It's important to put the right plant in the right place!

• What climate do you live in? Know Your Planting Zone for the best option for companion plants.
• How much sun does the outdoor space around your palm tree get? Direct sunlight or some shade?
• Which native plants would you prefer? More palm species, or others with a tropical vibe?
• How much space do you have? Would you like to add in a rock garden, bench or pavers?

You could always choose among garden designers, or get with a professional landscaper. To help tropicalize your outdoor living space around your beloved palm.

We've found it more fun, and definitely less $$$ from the budget to do much of the design & garden work ourselves. Think you would also?

A key plant designing tip is to go with odd numbers of the same species.

City Landscape With the Best Practice - Odd Number of Palms

Is your current palm tree near your pool, as a standalone feature? Is that palm among one of those Tall Palm Trees, that's your poolside focal point? But now it looks lonely! 🫤

Why not place three smaller plants around your featured palm area. Perhaps the Mediterranean Fan Palm or the Pygmy Date Palm. If your climate is arid, the Tree Morning Glory may be an alternate to palms for a contrasting look.

Scatter tropically styled flowers between them.

Line of Plants Adjacent to the Poolside Palms
What Else Can Be Done? How About Placing a Few Potted Palms

Phoenix roebelenii is an ideal clustering (usually) triple-growth accompaniment.

• Likes dryer warmth, US Planting Zones 9-11; 8 may be fine. Known to tolerate momentary freezes.
• Slow growing to at least 6ft/2m tall.

Pygmy Date Palms don't need lots of water, but want full sun.

You won't want to overwhelm this sized palm. Here are several things you could do:

• Surround it with three types of ornamental grasses, specific to your climate.
• Use one type of ornamental grass, planted thinly. Intermix these with three different species of flowering tropical plants that grow higher than your chosen grasses.
• Or just plant flowers, maybe with three different colors.

The Multi-Stemmed Palm
Adjacent to a Huge Palm & a Neighbor's Humungous Palm is Kind-of Overwhelmed!

Try this plant layering technique...

• Plant two smaller palm species in front of your palm, on each side. Still emphasizing your palm as the focal point.
• Plant beds of suitable tropic-like flowers in the next row forward.

1. You can intermix tropical greens with flowering plants. Or plant the greens first, with flower beds in front of them.

Five Palms During a Pacific Sunset.
This Type of Arrangement Does Better With Tropical Plants in Front.

Fit in that iconic double row of palm trees to go with with your already growing standalone feature palm. Here are suggestions, whether that planted palm focus is large or small:

• Plant two more of the same species of palm trees as the one you already have. You'll have three in a row at varying heights. 

1. Then add a second row of smaller palms in front. You could place two, so there will be a total of five, staying with the odd-number principle.

A Property With 3 Coconut Palms Near Each Other - Then Two Smaller Palms in Front.
What Could Be Done Better?

Chamaedorea microspadix is very cold hardy. If Damaged by Extreme Cold, it can regenerate.

• Gets 12ft/4m tall, spreading 8ft/2.4m wide.
• Dark green stem has whitish rings, reminiscent of bamboo.

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

Chamaedorea cataractarum is native to Mexican rain forests. Best in Zones 9b-11.

• Clustering palm gets about 6ft/2m tall, expanding to 8ft/2.4m feet wide.
• Loves water. Humidity with partial sun, too.

Often Called Cat Palm for Short. For an Ideal Ground Cover.

Is the palm you want to place landscaping around in your backyard? Much of the tips for poolside & for layering can be used there.

You want your current palm to coordinate with additions to your landscape, while using contrasts for Frond Types, trunk patterns, colors and/or sizing. Plus being sure to match up any added tropical plants (like palms) to your own climate.

It also depends on the current placement & size of your palm.

• Is your palm close to any buildings? Like your own home. You won't want to obstruct window views with new plantings. Choose additions for height expectations. 

Front Windows Have Wonderful Viewpoints. How About Out the Home's Side Windows?

Sabal minor is the most northerly naturally growing U.S. palm.

• Good for Zones 6-11. With caution try 5b.
• It likes water. Doesn't have to be in a swamp, but prefers moist soil. But tolerates drying out for a bit. 

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

Front yards are neighborhood displays. You'd want to plan carefully without overwhelming a welcoming entrance. Think of your current palm's placement. Two smaller palms nearby may be suitable. Surrounding the three with some flower beds.

Here's a jungly front yard landscaping idea.

Nicely Layered Plants of the Tropics

Butia capitata is also called the Jelly Palm. A hardy flexible palm, for zones 8-11. Adaptable to arid type areas, or those with more rainfall. And full sun or part shade.

• Producing edible fruit, invite neighbors to sample them. Or gather them for recipes. Otherwise cut down its yellow-flowering stalks after fading, to avoid fruiting.
• Solitary trunk to 35ft/10m tall. Nice size to accompany your tall front yard palm.

Managed to Surround the Palm With Compatible Tropicals in a Tight Space

Most palms love regular watering. Yet there are those doing well with less. Do you live in an arid climate? And already have a Mexican Fan Palm or Canary Island Date Palm?

Use the prior principles above, with drought-tolerant palms you can add to your landscape. Amidst your cacti.

Cacti to the Left, Palms to the Right - Rainbow Up Above!

Here's a drought-tolerant species of palm tree you could love! Bismarckia nobilis is medium sized (40ft/12m+) & is a stunner.

• Gorgeously silvery green palmate leaves give it a massive feel.
• Zones 9-11 can suit it fine. Water well until you have it established.

No Problem for Sandy Soil Types

Indoor palm trees are suitable for moving back & forth from your backyard into your home. For seasonal flexibility. Still the esthetic rule of 3 or 5 as best. Great for patios, entryways, walkways & decks.

• Bring them outside to sit aside entryway pavers.
• When outdoors look at placement. For ease of going back indoors with cold temperatures. They can get heavy!

Will It Be Difficult to Transport a Potted Palm In & Out?

Rhapis excelsa is quite popular. Ideal as an indoor palm, while loving some outdoor time.

• Grows to about 8ft/2.4m+. While clustering with multiple trunks (which can be thinned).
• Does well under sketchy circumstances. Avoid full sun placement.
  

Figure Out Your Best Placement

Howea forsteriana slowly averages 50ft/15m & up. As a container its full height calms down.

• Well loved for the arching fountain-like stems. 
• Indoors, it's very sturdy.

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

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

• Growing slowly, gets about 10ft/3m tall.
• Best for partial shade areas.

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

Place Pinanga coronata in a spot that gets some shade.

• Amazing beauty With Its Crownshaft.
• New growth fronds appear pinkish. With age turns darker green.

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

Contact your local area's system for underground utility location. Essential when landscaping around a palm tree.

• You can google, as we've done: "find underground utilities in Tucson." Got the number for the free location service. Be aware some try to get you to hire them.
• Regulations may exist for distances to utility lines for plantings. You'd want to know that.

Don't Be Surprised by Hitting Into These! 😮

• Are there prior homeowner underground sprinkler, electrical or drain installations? If you suspect that, dig slowly & carefully into your plant bed.
• Be familiar with using tools. Reading instructions helps!

Make Sure Your Tools Won't Be Shocking!

Wear eye protection when digging, raking, etc. Will you stir up dry soil, causing rising dust? Or using products with warning labels? Yuk! NO inhalation please...

• 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 planting when you're too tired. Gardening while drinking alcohol or taking calming drugs can be hazardous.

Wanted to Do Landscaping - But Took a Nap Instead!