Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto). Photo by Flickr.

Florida is not only known for its orange trees, but also for its palm trees. The Sabal Palm is one of many cold hardy palm trees in North Florida. The Sabal Palm Tree has gained popularity because it is very durable and will tolerate a wide variety of soil and weather conditions. Since the Sabal is very salt tolerant you can plant it along coastal areas and is also widely used for landscaping all throughout Florida and other southern states. One of few palms native to the United States.

Scientific name: Sabal palmetto

Common names:  Sabal Palm or Sabal Palmetto.  In Spanish “palmita” means small palm.

Origin: Native to Southeastern United States.

Growth Rate: Slow. Up to 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide.

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 8a (10 -15 F) to – 11 (above 40 F)

Light Requirement: Full sun.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Drought tolerant.

Fruit: Black. Edible.

Propagation: Seed, germinating in 2-3 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is native to the Canary Islands.    

Massive and magnificent, the Canary Island date palm rules the landscape with its aristocratic size and beauty. The palm's huge crown of stiff leaves over a thick trunk is best suited for more formal and spacious landscapes.

Healthy specimens should have full, round canopies with 130–150 leaves, this species produces about 50 leaves per year. Leaves are not self-cleaning and must be manually removed when dead, but the leaf bases eventually rot off, leaving an attractive diamond-shaped pattern of leaf scars on the 2- to 3-foot-diameter trunk. On older specimens, the basal foot or so of the trunk typically is covered with short root initials. 

Canary Island date palms are highly susceptible to palmetto weevils and a number of diseases. 

Flower stalks are orange in color, about 3 feet in length, and bear male and female flowers on separate trees. Fruits are orange and edible, though not particularly tasty. 

Scientific name: Phoenix canariensis

Common names:  Canary Island Date Palm, Pineapple Palm.

Origin: Native to The Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco.

Growth Rate: Slow. Up to 50 feet tall.

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 8a (10 -15 F) to 11 (above 40 F) *Will need protecting from frost.* 

Light Requirement: Full sun.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Drought tolerant.

Fruit: Orange-yellow. Edible.

Propagation: Seed, germinating in 2-3 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

European Fan Palm Tree (Chamaerops humilis), also known as the Mediterranean Palm. This slow growing palm native to northern Africa and the Mediterranean region of Europe. This palm is very attractive, bushy, evergreen that is extremely tough.

Scientific name: Chamaerops humilis

Common names: European Fan Palm,  Mediterranean Fan Palm, Dwarf Fan Palm, and Palmito. 

Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. 

Growth Rate: Slow. Rarely grows taller than 5 to 10 feet tall.

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 7b (5-10F) to 11 (above 40 F).

Light Requirement: Full to partial sun. Grows best in full sun.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Grows best in well-drained soil.

Flowers/Fruit: Small yellow flowers, followed by green fruits that turn brown when ripe. Seeds are  not edible. 

Propagation: Seed, germinating in 2-3 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

Washingtonia filifera,  is a tall evergreen palm with a columnar trunk topped with small rounded crown of fan like, rich green leaves.  Landscape architects may find Washingtonia useful as an exotic-looking specimen tree with an architectural form. Once established this palm is drought tolerant. The palm is tolerant of maritime conditions and can tolerate extreme heat. 

The Washingtonia palm prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, but  will not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Washingtonia requires little maintenance. The dead hanging leaves may be removed to give a clean trunk to this tree, no harm is done to the trunk of the palm if the leaves are not removed. The Washingtonia is the only palm native to the Western United States and the country's largest native palm. 

Scientific name: Washingtonia filifera.

Common names:  Desert fan palm, California palm, American cotton palm.

Origin: Native to Southern California, Arizona and northwestern Mexico.

Growth Rate: Quick. Typical height growth 70 to 100 feet tall.

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 8b (5-10F) to 11 (above 40 F).  Can survive short periods of cold at 23F and fronds can be damaged.

Light Requirement: Full sun.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Grows best in moderately rich soil.

Flowers/Fruit: Hanging sprays of white flowers followed by black/blue pea-size seeds. Seeds are edible. 

Propagation: Seed, germinating in 2-3 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

The Pindo is one of the most popular palms in the world because of its stunning appearance, cold hardiness and bright yellow fruit, that can be made into a jelly. The Pindo Palm leaves are pinnate, or feather-like, ranging in color from green to bluish gray and a heavy gray trunk covered with old leaf bases. in addition to its attractive look, this unique palm offers low to moderate maintenance. 

This wonderful palm is perfect for planting as: focal point for a circular driveway or a yard, lining along the walkway, anchor for a large tropical bed, accent for the corner of the building, at both sides of an entrance to a stately driveway. 

Pindos are tolerant of saltwater, droughts and is tough enough to deal with weather stresses when mature. It also can grow in clay or sandy soils. It needs plenty of water until established in the first 2 years, but after that only little to moderate watering is needed, but the Pindo Palm can get root rot if the soil is kept too moist and well-drained. 

Scientific name:  Butia capitata .

Common names:   Yatay palm Jelly palm, Wine palm.

Origin: Native to  Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Growth Rate:  Slow to Moderate. Typical height 10 to 20 feet tall. Usually height not excessing 15 feet.

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 7b (5-10F) to 11 (above 40 F).  

Light Requirement: Partial to full sun.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Well-drained soil.

Flowers/Fruit: Orange-red flowers followed by bright orange seeds. Seeds are edible. 

Propagation: Seed, germinating in an average of 6 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

The Windmill is one of the hardiest palm trees available allowing you to add a splash of tropical to your garden. The Windmill is an erect, single trunk covered with dense, brown, hair like fibers. The trunk appears to be wrapped in burlap. 

Windmill palm works well as a framing tree, accent, specimen, patio. It is ideal for use as an accent in a shady shrub border or by a front entryway. 

 Windmill palm should be grown in shade or partial shade on fertile soil to look its best, but it is also tolerant of full sun on well-drained soils when given ample moisture in the northern part of its range. Plants should be watered faithfully. Protection from harsh winds will minimize leaf tearing, but plants can be used successfully close to the shore, being quite tolerant of salt and wind. There are fine examples of mass plantings where palms are spaced six to 10 feet apart around a patio or sitting area. They have also been used very successfully lining an entry walk to a large building. This adds a formal elegance to any structure, especially one with a glass façade.

The Windmill palm is mostly resitant to pest and disease. 

Scientific name:  Trachycarpus fortunei.

Common names: Windmill palm, Chinese windmill palm, Chusan palm.

Origin: Native to   China, Japan, Myanmar and India.

Growth Rate:  very Slow. Typical height 10 to 20 feet tall. Usually height not excessing 15 feet.

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 7b (5-10F) to 11 (above 40 F).  

Light Requirement: Partial to full sun.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Well-drained soil.

Flowers/Fruit: Yellow, white/creamy followed by blue seeds. 

Propagation: Seed, germinating in an average of 2 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

 The Needle Palm is native to the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. It is the MOST cold-hardy palm in the world in climates requiring  warm to hot summers to thrive.

 The needle palm assumes a shrub like clumping form with several stems growing from a single base, the stems growing very slowly and tightly together, eventually forming a dense base, with numerous sharp needle-like spines produced between the leaves.

Needle palm are tolerate to drought and heavy soils. It may be killed back to the ground, but since it is a suckering palm, it will come back from cutting or freeze. The Needle brings a handsome foliage mass to the landscape and can be used as textural accent and lends interest to a shady border or container.

Scientific name:  Rhapidophyllum hystrix.

Common names: Needle Palm, Blue Palmetto, Porcupine palm.

Origin: Native to  South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.

Growth Rate:  Very Slow. Typical height 3 to 6 feet tall. 

Cold Tolerance: USDA Zones 5b (5F) to 11 (above 40 F).  

Light Requirement: Partial to full sun. Performance best in shady area.

Water Requirement: Moderate. Moist, organically rich, well-drained soil.

Flowers/Fruit: Yellow, white/creamy followed by blue seeds.  Seeds are not edible.

Propagation: Seed, germinating in an average of 6 to 12  months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

Phoenix Roebellini

 The Roebelenii palm, also known as Miniature Date Palm or Pygmy Date Palm, is an attractive slow growing dwarf palm. They are typically grown in groupings of three trunks, however, Roebeleniis can also be seen as singles, doubles, quadruples and even quintuples. These palms thrive both indoors and outdoors.  The Roebellini is used in landscaping if you have a  small space to fell. They bring a blast tropical feel to an entry way, patio or pool container plant or an anchor specimen in the garden bed.

 Roebeleniis have upright or curving trunks that are relatively thin and covered with old leaf bases. They are topped with a dense, full crown of arching glossy green leaves.

If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, grow your Roebellini palm in a container so that it can be moved indoors during the winter months. If you are growing your Roebellini palm indoors, be sure to keep it away from drafty vents or air conditioners. 

Scientific name: Phoenix roebellini

Common names: Pygmy Date Palm, Dwarf Date Palm

Origin: Southern China/Southeastern Asia.

Growth Rate:  Slow. Typical height up to 6 to 12  feet tall. 

Cold Tolerance:  USDA Zones 10a (30F) to 11 (above 45 F). 

Light Requirement: Full or partial shade.

Water Requirement: Moderate.

Flowers/Fruit: Yellow flowers with fruit dark purple to black. Seeds are not edible and cause irritation to skin. Fruit  normally appears around the fifth year.

Propagation: Seed, germinating in an average of 3 months. Stems developed deeply in soil. 

Pictures and information available upon request.

Most common for landscaping are 

• Sago palm Cycas revoluta

• Cardboard palm Zamia furfuracea

• Coontie Zamia intefrifloia