Focal-Point Palms for Southern California

These specimen plants require little care but provide big impact with their intricate, textured foliage

We are rosy in Southern California to be capable to feature a variety of prominent palms in our gardens . Often used as solitary specimen , these grasslike plant life are worth investigating and introducing into your space . They add drama and character and evoke Southern California dash with their whisper fronds .

feature palmate ( palmlike ) or pinnate ( featherlike ) frond , palms extend diversity in their many forms . undivided , multitrunk , and even vining palms can be find on every continent but Antarctica . There is a palm for almost any environment . But the palms I ’ll focus on here are all full - Sunday and lower - piss varieties . Keep in psyche , however , that palm tree have shallow root systems and that most are not truly drought tolerant . Most will call for regular water system until establishment .

Guadalupe palm

Brahea edulis , Zones 9–11

This thenar is native to Guadalupe Island , which is off the seashore of Baja California . It can not abide wet climates or freeze conditions but is resistant of a multifariousness of ground types , so it does extremely well in Southern California . This decoration makes a statement at 30 feet tall . Plant it as a single specimen , and enjoy its palm-shaped leave and strong trunk .

European fan palm

Chamaerops humilis , Zones 8–11

Also known as Mediterranean dwarf palm , this clustering palm is aboriginal to the rocky Mediterranean coastline and foothill of North Africa . It can make an impact as a solitary specimen or as a multitrunked mass planting . Because it originate in clusters , you need to insure that you have the place for it , unless you project to snip it and train it as a single - trunked specimen . Unpruned , it can grow 5 to 15 substructure tall and up to 20 foundation wide-eyed . I love the gray - green foliage and globed habit that the palmate leaves form . This is a drought - liberal palm that does not tolerate wet conditions .

Triangle palm

Dypsis decaryi , Zones 9–11

Native to Madagascar , triangle palm tree is a sweetheart . Give this specimen handle a wide breadth . Its arching pinnate leaves are striking and can reach about 10 groundwork wide . The plant itself can get hold of 25 to 40 foot tall and 15 foot spacious . Full sunlight and unconstipated irrigation are necessitate .

Jelly palm

Butia capitata , Zones 9–11

Called jelly palm , butia decoration , and pindo medallion , this is by far my best-loved palm for Southern California . It has a very unique , arching , recurved pinnate form , and the trunk is striking with its reveal folio bases . The silvery disconsolate foliage remain firm out . At maturity date , this medallion reaches 35 feet marvellous and 15 feet wide ; if you have the space for it , it will be stunning in your garden . This palm is drought tolerant once established and tolerates full to partial shade .

Bismarck palm

Bismarckia nobilis , Zones 9–11

Native to the savannah of Madagascar , this solitary medallion can hand 40 to 60 fundament tall and 20 understructure wide . Why sport such a large palm tree ? Well , once you see one of these salient palms in person , you will empathize the appeal . It has turgid , chunky palmate fronds with an ice blue coloration that really demands attention . This ribbon has medium piss needs but is drouth tolerant once established .

Pruning Your Palm: Less Is More

Palms are generally low sustenance and require very niggling in the way of pruning . In fact , many palms are overpruned and have their natural skirts removed . I care to see old fronds hanging on a palm ; it create an abundant habitat for local birds . New World oriole , for model , like to overwinter in California palms ( Washingtonia filifera , Zones 8b–11 ) . I ’ve seen this repeatedly , and it ’s give me a better appreciation for the shaggy - palm approach to maintenance .

— Cara Hanstein is a head teacher nurseryman at the Huntington Library , Art Museum , and Botanical Gardens in San Marino , California .

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