what type of large palm tree would be suitable for climate of moderate down to -10 degrees(uk), I have looked at pheonix canariansis but it seems to require alot of maintenance as it requires trimming as well as having messy fruit fall. the customer requires a large pinnate frond leaf palm and they do not even like cutting their lawn. This is not my usual area and i am at complete loss please help.
Hi, there has been a lot of discussion on this forum about the hardiness of Phoenix canariensis..you could search out the postings. Perhaps the commonest tall palm growing outdoors in the UK is Trachycarpus fortunei - it real will take quite cold conditions. Check it out on wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachycarpus_fortunei but perhaps not the right leaf shape for your customer? Good Luck Brian
Thank you Brian, there does seem to be variable information in the forum here as well as on palm supplier sites alike. The Trachycarpus fortunei seems to be the safest bet but as you say has wrong leaf structure. regards Darren
it depends on where in the uk that you wish to plant this palm . the south coast of england has the best growing conditions with mild winters [rarely below -6c ]and long hours of sunshine in the summer .it becomes very much colder as you travel inland away from the atlantic ocean influence.now the palms that grow well along the south coast are butia capitata,phoenix canareiensis,jubaea chilensis,and just possible maybe in a very mild sheltered position syagrus romanzoffianum. other species that do well are t fortuni,t wagnerianus,c humilis and b armata. hope this is of some use to you. rgds billdango.