Five Best Palm Trees to Grow in Your Garden and How to Care for Them
Nothing brings that serene tropical vibe to a garden than lush palm trees. Find out which ones are best for your garden and how to care for them.
Whenever you think of the Sunshine Coast, its picturesque coastlines, people basking happily in the sun, and beautiful palm trees swaying in the wind quickly come to mind. The region's tropical charm along with its natural biodiversity is what draws people to come and visit every year.
If you would like to bring this kind of vibe into your own backyard, then growing palm trees would certainly do the trick. Nothing turns a place into an urban oasis more than having lush, perfectly pruned and healthy palm trees in one's garden.
But before you get excited and go to the nearest nursery to buy palm trees for your garden, take the time to know which species is best suited to grow in your garden. We also will give you tips on how to properly care for your palm trees and keep them in great shape as well as which palm tree species to avoid.
Not all palm trees are created equal
Palm trees are a common sight in Queensland. From the potted varieties you can keep indoors to the towering and majestic ones that line up the coastline, these trees are an amazing sight to behold. Palms are diverse in appearance. Some have long, slender trunks while other species have short and stout trunks. Some have none at all. As for its leaves or more commonly known as fronds, they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can be feathered such as the fronds of a coconut palm tree or can be circular or fan-shaped.
Regardless of their size and appearance, and variety it has, what you need to know is to learn the best practices on how to care for and maintain your palm trees. Some species require more care and attention than others so it is best that you find out more about the species that you want to have in your garden.
There are two kinds of palm tree varieties: self-cleaning and not self-cleaning. Self-cleaning palm trees are those that have the ability to shed dead fronds away cleanly with little to no assistance at all. These are the varieties that you plant and forget, and let nature take care of them but they still grow beautifully.
On the other hand, palm tree varieties that are not self-cleaning require more attention and regular pruning to remove dead fronds and fruit stalks. When you have these types of palm trees in your garden, be sure to call the Arborist Sunshine Coast team to prune your palm trees. Having your palm trees pruned by experienced and reputable arborists ensures that it is done correctly which means your trees will continue to be lush and healthy while you get to enjoy their beauty and splendor for many years to come.
Over-pruning often causes stress and shock to your palm trees which may lead to stunted growth, health problems, and may even lead to its death. Aside from pruning, proper watering and fertilizing are also essential to keep them healthy. If you have palm trees planted near your house, get an arborist to prune them, whether they are self-cleaning or not. Why? Because you do not want your precious palm trees shedding their dead fronds and fruits to fall on your roof and clog your gutters.
Now that you are equipped with the basic knowledge of how to care for your palm trees, it's time to pick the varieties that you may want to grow and have on your property. If you have limited outdoor space but still want to grow palms, you may go for varieties that can be grown in pots such as the Kentia palm, Raphis Excelsa, and Areca. Not only they are relatively easy to maintain, but they can also enhance the aesthetics of your home's interior.
On the other hand, if you are fortunate to have the space to grow palm trees, then you're in luck because there are countless palm tree varieties you can choose from. Imagine having your weekend barbecue with your friends and loved ones in your backyard surrounded by lush palm trees. It's like having a piece of paradise right in the comfort of your own home.
Clueless about what variety to pick? Here are five palm tree varieties that are best suited to have in your Sunshine Coast garden.
Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae)
Endemic to Queensland, Alexander palms are majestic as they are hardy. They can grow up to 30 metres tall and can survive heavy downpours and seasonal flooding. Alexander palms can grow significantly smaller when grown in a garden.
Also known as King Palm, this variety has slender fronds that can grow over 2 metres long. They are best grown in rich, well-draining soil and will do best in full sun. But while they are considered self-cleaning because they shed their dead fronds, it is often best to hire an arborist to do the pruning. Alexander palms produce clusters of white flowers and small red fruits that can make a huge mess around your garden and pool area, and may even clog your gutters.
Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurgata)
Here's another favourite among palm enthusiasts. Foxtail palms are known for their distinct long, dark green foxtail-like fronds. This palm tree variety is easy to maintain while they are still young. However, they grow quite fast and can grow up to 15 metres tall. It also has plumose fronds which can be between two to three metres long.
Foxtail palm has oval-shaped orange fruits that come in large clusters that are toxic to both humans and pets but are very attractive to birds and bats alike. To maintain the glorious form of your foxtail palm and keep your garden clean as well, you will need the help of an arborist to do the maintenance work.
Golden Cane (Dypsis lutescens)New Paragraph
Golden cane palms are a staple to any tropical garden. They can either be grown in pots which means you can bring them indoors. When grown outdoors, golden cane palms can grow up to 6 metres high with fronds arching gracefully. It has dense foliage which is excellent for screening and can also act as a windbreak.
If you plan to have these gorgeous palm trees in your garden, make sure either spend a lot of time tending to them or have a professional come over to prune it properly to keep it from looking wild and unkempt. It is also advisable not to plant golden canes in the ground near pools and other structures as their root system tend to be tight and fibrous which may cause damage if taken for granted.
Bangalow Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana)
This gorgeous Australian native is another favourite among gardeners and palm enthusiasts due to its deep green feathered fronds. Bangalow palms can grow as high as 15 metres and their trunk can grow up to 30 cm thick, making them less likely to break or blow over during a severe storm.
Bangalow palms are very much similar with the Alexander palm in appearance as well as in maintenance. Due to the size of their fronds and the copious amount of fruits they produce, they need to be pruned off by experienced arborists to keep the trees tidy and in perfect shape.
Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis)
Unlike other palm trees in our list, the Bismarck palm tree looks very different but in a good and interesting way. They are stout and wide and grow no more than 12 metres tall. It also has a striking foliage of fan-shaped leaves which can be over three metres wide.
Aside from their unique appearance, bismarck palms make for a great addition to your garden because they are relatively easy to maintain. They thrive very well in the Sunshine Coast climate and do well in any soil types and unlike other palm trees, Bismarck palm trees do not make a huge mess when they produce their fruits.
If you need help in the pruning and overall care for your palm trees, give
Arborist Sunshine Coast a call at
07 5451 8756 to get a free consultation from one of our team members.
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