Post #305858 by Bohemiann on Sat, May 12, 2007 7:58 AM

Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
Highly Recommended

Florida Native: Yes
Growth Rate: Slow
Height at Maturity: 40'
Width at Maturity: 12'
Grow Space: Small, 15’ from OHU
Soil Requirements: Any
Cold Hardiness: Hardy
Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
Salt Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Comments: Our state tree, the cabbage palm is the most carefree palm in our area. It is also a valuable wildlife plant and highly tolerant of the worst urban conditions. The most hurricane-proof of any tree in our region. Just plant, water and forget about it. Do not remove green fronds from this plant when pruning.
Uses: Streets, sidewalks, parking lots, wildlife
Maintenance: $

Indian Date Palm (Phoenix sylvestris) - Recommended

Florida Native: No
Special interest: Blue-green foliage
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height at Maturity: 40'
Width at Maturity: 20'
Grow Space: Medium; 20’ from OHU
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained
Cold Hardiness: Hardy
Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Drought Tolerance: High
Comments: Lower maintenance and better suited to humid conditions than the desert date palms. If you must have a date palm, this is the one to choose. Stiffer, shorter, upright fronds make it a good palm for smaller spaces. Less prone to fungal pathogens. Readily hybridizes with other Phoenix palms. Make certain to get pure sylvestris palms for the best aspects of this species.
Uses: Specimen, streets, sidewalk
Maintenance: $$$

Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffianum) - Not Recommended

Florida Native: No
Special interest: Orange fruit
Growth Rate: Fast
Height at Maturity: 40'
Width at Maturity: 25'
Grow Space: Small, 20' from OHU
Soil Requirements: Acidic, well-drained
Cold Hardiness: Hardy
Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Drought Tolerance: Moderate
Comments: The Queen Palm may be the worst choice of plant for any landscape in terms of maintenance, performance and longevity. Queen Palm is not tolerant of most soils in our area and as a result, deficiencies and disease plague this palm. Fruit and dead fronds create litter in urban landscapes. Avoid this plant.
Uses: Specimen
Maintenance: $$$$$