COLD HARDY PALM TREES – LARGER SIZES – SHIPPABLE

Description of Article

This article will quickly show you some unusual cold hardy palm species that we usually have available and are shippable to all areas of the U.S.  Most of those shown are the 15g size.  The aim here is to introduce you to very cold hardy and unusual palm species.  But, to also show a means of affordably transporting larger specimens right to your door.  This is by utilizing plants packed onto a pallet which is shipped by trucking service, at affordable rates throughout the country.  Check below to see the plants and how we do it.

Introduction

Perhaps you live in an area that experiences cold.  But, you’d like to try some palm trees that are not locally available.  This article will give you a look at some of the unusual species we carry.  And, almost all are fairly cold hardy. Also, be aware that larger, established palm trees have a better chance of survival when exposed to cold winters.  The palms we’re showing below are mostly in a 15g pot with some age.  The species listed below are not a totally comprehensive list, but rather a selection of just some of the things we propagate and offer for sale. 

I the past several years we’ve developed a very economical way to ship these larger plants.  The pallet method of shipping means a customer buys enough plants to totally fill a pallet that is shipped by truck to you.  When properly selected and packed on, it’s one of the most affordable delivery methods around. 

ACOELORRAPHE WRIGHTII

THE PAUROTIS PALM
SUCKERING, MEDIUM HEIGHT

This suckering fan palm in native to everglade and tropical areas in southern Florida, Mexico and Central America.  In the wild, plants can get up to 30 feet.  But, here in California, plants are usually about fifteen feet tall.  Trunks are narrow and individual leaves are perhaps three feet across.  This species likes sun and water.  Cold hardiness is about 20 degrees.  The nursery plant shown here is a 5g palm.

ALLAGOPTERA ARENARIA

THE SEASHORE PALM
CLUSTERING, DWARF PALM

This pinnate palm rarely gets over six feet tall, is native to coastal Brazil and has fluffy leaves (plumose).  It’s a sun species with a cold hardiness into the upper teens F.

ARENGA ENGLERI

THE DWARF SUGAR PALM
SUCKERING, NOT TOO TALL

This suckering Asian species doesn’t get over about ten feet tall and has silver color to the back of the leaflets.  The leaflets have chopped ends.  It’ll take coastal sun and part day sun inland.  Cold tolerance about 18 degrees F.  

BISMARCKIA NOBILIS

BLUE WITH STATELY APPEARANCE
GORGEOUS FAN PALM

This Madagascar palm species is one of our favorites.  It gets to about 35 feet tall with about an 18 inch trunk.  The leaves are silver-blue.  It’s stunning.  It loves hot sun and is cold tolerant to about 20 degrees when large.  It doesn’t seem to like weather into the teens.

BLUE BUTIA CAPITATA

THE BLUE PINDO PALM
MEDIUM HEIGHT – YES, BLUE COLOR!

This variety of the South American Pindo Palm is super color because of its unusual blue color.  It gets to a height of about fifteen feet in three decades and is single trunk.  It loves full sun and is cold hardy to 15 degrees F.

BRAHEA ACULEATA

SINALOA HESPER PALM
MEDIUM SIZED FAN PALM

This fan palm is native to Mexico and gets to a very manageable size of fifteen feet.  It has a blue green color and is cold hardy to about 20 degrees F.  We try to have 5g and 15g available although this may vary over time.

BRAHEA ARMATA

THE MEXICAN BLUE FAN PALM
BLUE, MEDIUM HEIGHT, SUPER BLUE!

In hot sun this species gets extra blue.  It is slow growing, gets a trunk typically about 18 inches thick and seems to peak out under 20 feet.  Cold hardiness is about 15 degrees F. 

BRAHEA CLARA

BLUE SINGLE TRUNK MEXICAN PALM
SUPER COLD HARDY

This palm is quite similar to the more common Brahea armata.  It loves sun, takes cold to 15 degrees and is blue in color.  It gets to a height of no more than 20 feet.  Compared to the common Mexican Blue Fan Palm, it has longer petioles and is faster growing.  Another curious difference we’ve discovered is the stem armor.  Rather than simple, uniform curved spines, the armor is more like a bad set of shark’s teeth as shown here.

BRAHEA DECUMBENS

BLUE, DWARF AND SUCKERING
EXCELLENT COLD HARDY SMALLER PALM

This suckering species of fan palm develops a blue color with age and sun.  Shown is a 5g.  We never can keep them in stock to get them to 15g.  They love hot sun, get to a height of no more than six feet and sucker.  this is an ideal palm where views are a concern.  They are very slow growing.

BRAHEA EDULIS

THE GUADALUPE FAN PALM
MEDIUM SIZED UP TO FIFTEEN FEET

This palm is native to an island off the northern coast of Baja California.  It has a thick trunk that is smooth but with fine checks.  Leaves are flat and green.  It takes full sun in almost all areas and is cold hardy to about 17 to 18 degrees F.  It’s very slow growing.  We usually have the 5g size and sometimes 15g are available.

BRAHEA NITIDA

FLAT GREEN LEAVES
TAKES SUN OR PART SUN

This rare species in interesting because it can tolerate part day sun or full sun in most areas.  It is medium sized to about 25 feet and cold hardy to about 20 degrees or a bit colder.  Also interesting is that leaf stems do not have spines.  This is a rare species and availability varies from time to time.

BUTIA X SYAGRUS
THE MULE PALM

HYBRID THAT LOOKS LIKE NEITHER PARENT

This surprisingly very cold hardy palm is being grown in areas that routinely see bad weather.  When Queen Palms die in Tucson, AZ, this one survives.  It gets to 25 feet and loves hot sun.  Some say that, when mature, they look a little bit like a Coconut.  It’s also a very good growing hybrid with lots of vigor.  It likes sun and is cold hardy to about 16 or 17 degrees.

CARYOTA URENS

COLD HARDY MOUNTAIN FISHTAIL
TALL, EXOTIC, BRANCHED LEAF

This exotic species tolerates temperatures to about 19 degrees yet is much more tropical appearing than anything else here.  It is quite growing and easily gets above 40 to 50 feet tall.  It can grow in full sun if given enough water.  It’s a tough grow in desert areas.  A unique characteristic is that it has bi-pinnate leaves, leaves that branch off the main stem.  Consider this species if you have the room.

CHAMAEDOREA MICROSPADIX

A TYPE OF BAMBOO PALM
FILTERED LIGHT – TO EIGHT FEET

This exotic species really doesn’t take too much light.  It has very thin trunks, gets to eight feet tall and sometimes has velvet type leaves with blue undersides.  It is quite petite, the smallest of the Bamboo Palms.  Females, when pollenated, produce red seeds.  It is cold hardy to about 18 degrees.  Unlike almost every other species here, it’s not a full sun palm.

CHAMAEDOREA RADICALIS

TWO FORMS: TRUNKING, REGULAR
MOST COLD HARDY PALM THIS GENUS
FILTERED LIGHT AND MAYBE COASTAL SUN

This new world suckering palm has two forms.  The trunking form gets to about ten feet tall.  The regular, shorter form gets to about four feet height and has wider leaflets than the tall form.  The regular classic form can be easily spotted because female blossoms emerge and tower above the leaves.  This palm takes filtered light and coastal mild sun.  Cold hardiness is down to about 18 degrees F.

CHAMAEROPS CERIFERA

BLUE SUCKERING FAN PALM
NOT AS BIG AS THE MED FAN

This kissing cousin of the Mediterranean Fan Palm is different in that it is an intense blue color and typically is shorter and more compact.  It’s also slower growing.  Native to Morocco, it typically is under ten feet tall, loves hot sun and is cold hardy to 15 degrees F. 

COPERNICIA ALBA

TALL THIN TRUNK
SINGLE STEM FAN PALM

Copernicia is a rare genus of fan palms mostly native to Caribbean Islands such as Cuba.  This species has a thin trunk and gets over 40 feet tall.  For an exotic genus, it’s surprisingly cold hardy perhaps into the upper teens F.  It loves sun and heat.

DYPSIS DECIPIENS

DIFFERNT APPEARING
MADAGASCAR SINGLE TRUNK PALM
BUT NOT THE EASIEST TO GROW

I hesitated to include this most interesting tree from Madagascar because some people have difficulty growing it.  So, you must be patient with it and follow cultural rules.  But, it’s been known to tolerate down to 18 degrees F.  Along the coast and in many areas it tolerates full sun.  It also likes warmth but not the desert.  There are multiple forms of this species including one with a white crown shaft.  This is a highly sought after palm

JUBAEA CHILENSIS

CHILEAN WINE PALM
FATTEST TRUNK OF ANY PALM

This thick trunked pinnate palm is slow growing but manages to get a trunk fatter than any other palm.  Native to Chile, it can reach a height of 40 feet and trunk diameter of 4 feet.  It loves hot sun and is cold hardy to 16 degrees.  The 15g plant shown here is 10 years old.  This is why this species is more costly than other palms.  The trunk is also smooth as shown here with no attached leaf bases.

LIVISTONA CHINENSIS

THE CHINESE FAN PALM
SINGLE TRUNK, MEDIUM SIZE

This Asian species never really gets to a height much above 25 feet.  It’s so slow growing that anything over ten feet seems to take an eternity.  It has a twelve inch thick trunk and flat green leaves.  In most areas it takes full sun but also tolerates filtered light.  Cold hardiness is about 18 degrees F.

LIVISTONA DECIPIENS
AKA LIVISTONA DECORA

MEDIUM TO TALL HEIGHT, THIN TRUNK

This Australian fan palm can get over 40 feet tall, has a thin trunk and droopy leaflets.   Because of the latter fact it’s known as the Ribbon Palm.  Leaflets hang toward the ground.  It likes full sun and is cold hardy into the upper teens F.  It’s quite handsome.

PHOENIX CANARIENSIS

THE CANARY ISLAND PALM
TALL WITH THICK TRUNK

This species of palm, native to the Canary Islands, has a thick trunk and gets to thirty, sometimes forty feet tall.  It is slow growing as far as height is concerned.  Leaves are green.  It wants full sun, even in desert areas.  You have to give it a lot of room to grow.  Because of the way it’s trimmed below the leaves, some call it the “Pineapple Palm”.  Cold hardiness is down to 18 degrees or a bit colder.

PHOENIX RECLINATA

THE SENEGAL DATE PALM
CLUMPING SPECIES MEDIUM SIZE

This is a type of Date Palm that clusters.  It gets its name from the fact that trunks recline (lean) with age and height.  It has a variable height.  But, you can count on at least 15 feet.  Some clumps get taller.  It loves sun and is cold hardy into the upper teens F.

PHOENIX SYLVESTRIS

THE SILVER DATE PALM
MORE NARROW TRUNK THAN CANARY

For a Date Palm, this is a rather tall species and can get up to forty feet.  The trunk is thinner than Phoenix canariensis and the leaves are more of a blue-green color than plain green.  It wants full sun, can be grown in hot dry areas and has a cold tolerance estimated at about 20 degrees F.  But, it’s not as cold hardy as the Canary Palm.

PHOENIX THEOPHRASTI

THE CRETAN DATE PALM
BUSHY AND NOT TOO TALL

This Date Palm is native to the island of Crete, southern Greece and some nearby islands.  It is a suckering palm and not quite as tall as the Phoenix dactylifera.  Its dates are not edible.  Leaf color is typically lime green.  Height can get up to thirty feet.  Leaves are quite plumose.  Cold tolerance is about 17 degrees or lower and it loves full and hot sun. 

RHAPIS EXCELSA

THE LADY PALM
FOR FILTERED LIGHT

The Lady Palm can tolerate temperatures into the upper teens.  It doesn’t do well with full sun but can take a little morning sun or filtered light.  It has dark green fan leaves with prominent separation between the leaflets.  Maximum height is variable – anywhere from six to twelve feet.  It is slow growing and makes an excellent patio potted plant or interior palm.  There are also rare variegated forms as shown in the fourth photo.

RHOPALOSTYLIS SAPIDA

THE SHAVING BRUSH PALM
THE FEATHER DUSTER PALM
V-SHAPED CROWN, BULGING CROWN SHAFT

I hesitated in showing this beautiful palm from New Zealand but have decided to list it here.  This hesitation is because it’ll go down to the low 20’s F. but doesn’t like desert climates or hot, muggy summers.  So, you must make sure it’s good for your area.  There are folks growing it very well in Northern California and some parts of the San Joaquin Valley in California.  It gets to about 25 feet tall, has an upright crown as shown and a small to medium sized trunk.  The crown shaft bulges to a larger size than the trunk.  It’s very popular.

SABAL BERMUDANA

THE BERMUDA PALMETTO
THICK TRUNK, NOT TOO TALL

This fan palm is extremely cold hardy and is being grown in the Carolinas and Northern California.  It has a thick trunk and gets to 20 to 25 feet tall.  It wants full sun and is cold hardy down to about 16 degrees F.  The leaves are large.  It may be one of the most cold hardy of the Sabals. 

SABAL CAUSIARUM

TALL FAN PALM
THICK CONCRETE LIKE TRUNKS

This Caribbean fan palm can get rather tall, up to fifty feet.  Its remarkable characteristic are the thick, concrete colored and appearing trunks.  They are really impressive and get up to two feet thick.  Leaf color is blue green.  This palm loves sun and is cold hardy into the mid to upper teens F.

SABAL MINOR

THE SMALLEST SABAL
DWARF PALM – SIX FEET TALL

This fan palm is native to the southeastern part of the U.S.  It rarely gets over six feet tall.  It puts out blossoms that are taller than the leaves, producing many small black seeds.  Leaves are sort of large compared to its dwarf height.  It can take sun or shade and is cold hardy to 15 degrees.  

SERENOA REPENS

THE SAW PALMETTO
GREEN OR BLUE, SUCKERING
LOW PRFILE FAN PALM

This species is native to the south-eastern Gulf States and typically doesn’t get over six to eight feet tall.  It loves hot sun and is cold hardy to the mid teens or perhaps a bit colder.  We usually do not have 15g but rather just 5g size because it’s very slow growing.

TRACHYCARPUS WAGNERIANUS

SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZE
SUPER COLD HARDY
SMALL, CUTE LEAVES

This Asian species of Windmill Palm is quite difficult to find.  That’s because it’s very slow growing.  The 15g plant shown here is about 8 years old.  They typically don’t get tall.  In a few decades, a ten foot palm could be expected.  They love full sun and are cold hardy to 15 degrees F.  Leaves are quite small and flat as shown here.

SYAGRUS SCHIZOPHYLLA X ROMANZOFFIANA
THE COCONUT QUEEN

BEAUTIFUL HYBRID PALM YET COLD HARDY

We don’t know as of yet the cold hardiness of this very handsome hybrid palm developed in Thailand.  It’s quite a new thing.  It is prettier than both parents.  Anticipated height is 30 feet, so it’s shorter than a standard Queen Palm.  It likes full sun and appears to be cold hardy down to about 20 degrees F.

TRITHRINAX ACANTHICOMA
AKA TRITHRINAS BRASILIENSIS

MEDIUM HEIGHT, SPINEY TRUNK

This South American, single trunk fan palm is unlike some of its suckering kin below.  This plant gets to a height of about 20 feet and has a random pattern of long spines protruding from the trunk.  Leaves are green, medium sized.  It likes sun and is cold hardy well into the upper teens F.  The trunk is indeed different – liked by some, hated by others.

TRITHRINAX CAMPESTRIS

SUCKERING BLUE FAN PALM
MEDIUM HEIGHT

This South American species is nothing like T. acanthicoma above.  It suckers, has a prominent blue color and has sharp points on the end of its leaf segments.  But, it is attractive and cold hardy to about 17 degrees F.  Expect a mature height of ten to twenty feet.

TRITHRINAX SCHIZOPHYLLAAKA TRITHRINAX BIFLABELLATA

SUCKERING, BLUE GREEN COLOR

This suckering South American fan palm is not as blue as T. campestris above and doesn’t have the wicked pointed leaves of that species.  Color in blue green.  It is very slow growing and extremely rare in cultivation.  It likes full hot sun.  Maximum height is 25 feet.  Cold tolerance is about 20 degrees.