Dreaming under palm trees in your own garden - this wish becomes reality with frost-resistant varieties. There are a number of plants from the Arecales family which, with a little winter protection, can also withstand sub-zero temperatures. Since their requirements for location, hibernation and temperature differ significantly, we would like to give you a brief overview of the palm species that thrive here in this article.

The hemp palm is one of the most well-known palm species

Which types are suitable?

Extremely robust and common are:

  • Hemp palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
  • Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
  • Honey Palm (Jubaea chilensis)
  • Dwarf Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
  • Dwarf Palmetto Palm (Sabal minor)
  • Yunnan Dwarf Palm (Trachycarpus nanus)
  • Petticoat palm (Washingtonia filifera)

Hemp palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)

It is probably the best known and most popular hardy palm. Since it grows very quickly compared to other varieties and is quite undemanding, this is not surprising. Its natural home is the moist, shady forest areas of China, where it can be found at altitudes of up to 2,500 meters.

Look

These palms form a typical tuft. The trunk is covered with brown fibers that fall off over the years. The leaves are strong and incised to the base of the leaf.

hardiness

The hemp palm defies temperatures down to 20 degrees below zero. If you suffer damage from the cold, you can get over it, as it has a high ability to regenerate. In the wind, the fronds bend slightly and then hang down at the tips. Therefore give it a sheltered place.

Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)

This umbrella palm forms runners and grows into a pretty group of palms over the years. Its homeland is the southeastern United States, where it can be found in damp parts of the forest.

Look

In our latitudes, the needle palm rarely grows higher than one meter. The trunk is covered with dark fibers from which innumerable sharp needles protrude. They gave the palm its German name. The leaves are cut almost to the base of the leaf and shimmer slightly silvery on the underside.

hardiness

The frost resistance of this palm is legendary. Planted out, it can even withstand temperatures down to -25 degrees. Since it grows very slowly, larger specimens are expensive and rarely found on the market.

Honey Palm (Jubaea chilensis)

This type of palm originally thrives in the area around Santiago de Chile. From here it began its worldwide triumph and is now at home in almost all countries with a Mediterranean climate.

Look

Typical of the honey palm is its grey, massive trunk with pinnate leaves. It was even threatened with extinction for a short time because palm honey, palm wine and palm sugar are made from its juice. It forms only after flowers and fruits, which are only three centimeters in size but look remarkably similar to coconuts.

hardiness

Planted outdoors, the honey palm is frost-resistant to about -12 degrees. In rougher locations, it absolutely needs adequate winter protection.

Dwarf Palm (Chamaerops humilis)

The natural home of this palm is the Mediterranean. It grows very slowly and only a few specimens reach a great height, which has earned this pretty representative of its kind the name dwarf palm.

Look

A plant usually forms several trunks that are very close together and are covered with brown fibers. The foliage is dark green, stiff and therefore relatively hardy. The petioles of the dwarf palm are spiny.

hardiness

The robustness of this species is legendary. With a little winter protection, it can also survive longer periods of cold with temperatures below -10 degrees. However, the roots are more sensitive than in other palm species and must be protected from the cold with a Styrofoam block underneath or an extra thick layer of mulch.

Dwarf Palmetto Palm (Sabal minor)

This North American palm is one of the extremely hardy species. It can be propagated by seeds in spring and germinates a little faster than many other varieties.

Look

The trunk is smooth and grey, the large leaves are cut in half. They are very dark with a slight gray cast. After withering, they will fall off on their own.

hardiness

The dwarf palmetto palm is one of the absolute frost artists. It even copes well with frosts down to -20 degrees.

Yunnan Dwarf Palm (Trachycarpus nanus)

This very small palm tree thrives in the Chinese province of Yunnan at altitudes of around 1,000 meters.

Look

This type of palm is visually different from many others in that it does not develop an above-ground trunk and grows bushy. The fronds are deeply dissected and have narrow, lanceolate leaflets.

hardiness

This palm thrives in the Central European climate. It is considered frost-resistant down to -18 degrees and does not require excessive winter protection even in harsh locations.

Petticoat palm (Washingtonia filifera)

In its natural homeland of Mexico, it can reach impressive heights of up to thirty meters. These palms owe their funny name to the fact that the dried brown leaves hang down for a long time before they eventually fall off. This looks like the plant is wearing a full skirt.

Look

The trunk of the petticoat palm can reach a considerable thickness. The leaves, cut up to halfway, hang down a little limp, there are numerous threads between the leaf segments. The stems are spined.

hardiness

This type of palm is extremely robust. It tolerates hot summer temperatures just as well as light frosts down to - 10 degrees. In milder wine-growing regions, it can be easily cultivated in the garden.

tips

Even hardy palm trees need adequate winter protection. Frost protection fleeces, in which the plant is carefully tied, are well suited. A good root protection with a thick layer of mulch made of leaves and brushwood is also recommended.

Category:

Trees