Roystonia regia - Farthest North

[UK_Palms]

I need to check but Tresco on the Isles of Scilly at 50N may have a Royal planted out…? They definitely have some Archontophoenix, Kentia, Rhopalostylis etc growing there, which don’t get protected. I wouldn’t be shocked if there is a Royal planted out. They haven’t had a frost there for 4 years now, going back to Feb 2018. Daytime temps may be an issue though for Roystonea. I know their Archontophoenix seems to be growing fine without problem though.

Edited January 24, 2022 by UK_Palms

[DeletedAccount14e83d09a24f]

3 hours ago, UK_Palms said:

I need to check but Tresco on the Isles of Scilly at 50N may have a Royal planted out…? They definitely have some Archontophoenix, Kentia, Rhopalostylis etc growing there, which don’t get protected. I wouldn’t be shocked if there is a Royal planted out. They haven’t had a frost there for 4 years now, going back to Feb 2018. Daytime temps may be an issue though for Roystonea. I know their Archontophoenix seems to be growing fine without problem though.

Do you have any pic showing that Archontophoenix? That should be by far the most extreme boundary for an Archontophoenix. It was actually looking good?
About Roystoneas I really think it can't simply happen there. It's the lack of heat basically during the entire year. Not even a single month above 20ºC and Cubans like warmth!

Edited January 24, 2022 by Alicante

[PalmTreeDude]

On 1/23/2022 at 11:03 AM, gilles06 said:

today i wanted to see the royal of Menton! It is 40 min by car from my home so i had to do it.

Here are some pics from today, that's clearly a royal, in bad state. I think it laked from watering the last summer... I give it 50% chance to survive for long term.

Today it is the nothernmost!

Wow that’s crazy! It doesn’t really look good but it’s alive! 

[gurugu]

Thanks Alicante.

Certainly Tresco gardens are beautiful and a rarity for its latitude, but there are others quite similar: Tremendhere, Abbotsbury and Inverewe which is in Scotland, and many more. Obviously Kew is the best. I´ve been twice, and it is astonishing. Everything thanks to the Gulf Stream.

I was wrong. The second picture in black and white with the roystonea I said it had been blown away ( or so it said the author of the book: J.A. Del Cañizo, a famous agronomist engineer), it isn´t. This is it. I took the pic four years ago when I was there for the last time. It is taaaall, and over 150 years old.

More roystoneas in Almuñecar:

These ones were planted at the same time as the two big ones I sent the other day.

 

These ones.

The difference in size is because these are watered and even fertilized.

Now in Málaga. Lately many have been planted, like these.

Which are right here:

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7129821,-4.4521344,3a,75y,307.86h,102.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjyqEkoR7KfjvKT9k_R1kbQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

These ones are in El Molino del Inca.

This one is a R. Oleracea.

And this one a R. Borinquena. Both in Málaga capital.

And a bonus. This is a Licuala grandis. It is planted in a big pot, and it is inside a huge well but in the open, where spring water flows, so, lots of humidity.

 

[DeletedAccount14e83d09a24f]

23 hours ago, gurugu said:

Thanks Alicante.

Certainly Tresco gardens are beautiful and a rarity for its latitude, but there are others quite similar: Tremendhere, Abbotsbury and Inverewe which is in Scotland, and many more. Obviously Kew is the best. I´ve been twice, and it is astonishing. Everything thanks to the Gulf Stream.

I was wrong. The second picture in black and white with the roystonea I said it had been blown away ( or so it said the author of the book: J.A. Del Cañizo, a famous agronomist engineer), it isn´t. This is it. I took the pic four years ago when I was there for the last time. It is taaaall, and over 150 years old.

More roystoneas in Almuñecar:

These ones were planted at the same time as the two big ones I sent the other day.

 

These ones.

The difference in size is because these are watered and even fertilized.

Now in Málaga. Lately many have been planted, like these.

Which are right here:

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7129821,-4.4521344,3a,75y,307.86h,102.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sjyqEkoR7KfjvKT9k_R1kbQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

These ones are in El Molino del Inca.

This one is a R. Oleracea.

And this one a R. Borinquena. Both in Málaga capital.

And a bonus. This is a Licuala grandis. It is planted in a big pot, and it is inside a huge well but in the open, where spring water flows, so, lots of humidity.

 

I almost don't have words to express all of that beauty found in all of these pics. 

But the Roystonea Promenade / Avenue in Málaga that is hundreds of meters long is just breathtaking!

This area is naturally blessed by enormous mountains that block the cold coming from the north. Because of that, the climate of the southern coastal stretch of Spain is unique in Europe. The amount of tropical palms, fruits and flowers that grow there is unbelievable for that latitude. We see Cuban Sized Royals at almost 37ºN dude. That's madness!!!

I have a full list of palms that grow in Málaga (well, also in the named "Costa del Sol" and "Costa Tropical" which goes from Adra to Estepona) as well as an extended list of ultra tropical fruits that grow there. I've made some posts weeks ago here in the forum. I'll leave the links below. I think I will also make a separate thread for both with lots of pics inside, as this thread is actually just about Roystoneas. But it would be a very interesting thread given the fact it's Europe and at a 37ºN latitude while it's not exactly an island in the middle of the ocean. Very impressive what's seen there. They are naturally blessed during winters. Even during cold spells their highs are still decent. That makes the difference! 

PS. Málaga will start the next week with 20-21ºC highs and that's not even strange for them as it's barely 2ºC above the February average (18ºC) in the official Airport station. 

1st link is the full list of palms grown in Málaga, 2nd link is the list of ultra tropical fruits and as a bonus, 3rd link is the "Roystonea Jungle" in Málaga. Enjoy! 

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/69983-growing-cocos-nucifera-coconut-in-marginal-climates-outside-the-tropical-monsoon-in-subtropical-mediterranean-type-climate-methods-used/&page=2&tab=comments#comment-1024975

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/69983-growing-cocos-nucifera-coconut-in-marginal-climates-outside-the-tropical-monsoon-in-subtropical-mediterranean-type-climate-methods-used/&page=2&tab=comments#comment-1024972

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/69983-growing-cocos-nucifera-coconut-in-marginal-climates-outside-the-tropical-monsoon-in-subtropical-mediterranean-type-climate-methods-used/&page=2&tab=comments#comment-1024976

Also the beautiful tropical tree that gives these amazing red flowers called Flamboyant / Royal Poinciana (Delonix Regia) is not uncommon in that area. 

When I've been looking for the giant Roystoneas you've posted before, I found some other decent sized Flamboyant trees in private gardens. Some even in public gardens!








I'm editing to also add another pic of 2 of my favorite Roystoneas in Málaga. They're in a big public park filled with lots of different exotic palms.

Edited January 25, 2022 by Alicante

[dalmatiansoap]

Here's one of my favorite pictures of Malaga palmy promenade

Edited January 25, 2022 by dalmatiansoap

[LivistonaFan]

On 1/23/2022 at 5:03 PM, gilles06 said:

today i wanted to see the royal of Menton! It is 40 min by car from my home so i had to do it.

Here are some pics from today, that's clearly a royal, in bad state. I think it laked from watering the last summer... I give it 50% chance to survive for long term.

Today it is the nothernmost!

 

 

7 months later, the supposed royal is still alive.  However, I would say that it should receive more water in summer as the soil seemed to be quite dry. Also, the palm would benefit from a protected, less windy location like it exists in some coastal gardens like "Jardin Maria Serena" .

[RedRabbit]

3 hours ago, LivistonaFan said:

7 months later, the supposed royal is still alive.  However, I would say that it should receive more water in summer as the soil seemed to be quite dry. Also, the palm would benefit from a protected, less windy location like it exists in some coastal gardens like "Jardin Maria Serena" .

Thanks for the update! I’m glad to see it’s alive, although it still isn’t looking too great.

Edited August 31, 2022 by RedRabbit

[Alex High]

On 8/30/2022 at 5:45 PM, LivistonaFan said:

7 months later, the supposed royal is still alive.  However, I would say that it should receive more water in summer as the soil seemed to be quite dry. Also, the palm would benefit from a protected, less windy location like it exists in some coastal gardens like "Jardin Maria Serena" .

I just saw an old Facebook post of a royal slightly further north, just across the border in Sanremo, Italy. I did some Google Maps sleuthing and located it. This may be the new northernmost royal on Earth. It was planted in 2020 and the street view has not updated since September of 2021, but it's survived at least 1 winter so far and looked good as of then. Would love to see a more recent update on it. Really impressive palm!

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8041007,7.7398876,3a,40.2y,307.2h,101.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sviZZvpQZPJURlUrvOQnqCA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu

I visited this royal in San Jose, California a few months back and got a video of it for my YouTube channel, Palm Planet. It was looking a bit rough after this past exceptionally cool and rainy winter but has been there for many years and usually looks good. San Jose has similar weather averages to Sanremo and is about the northernmost place in North America royals are growable.

 

[RedRabbit]

2 hours ago, Alex High said:

I just saw an old Facebook post of a royal slightly further north, just across the border in Sanremo, Italy. I did some Google Maps sleuthing and located it. This may be the new northernmost royal on Earth. It was planted in 2020 and the street view has not updated since September of 2021, but it's survived at least 1 winter so far and looked good as of then. Would love to see a more recent update on it. Really impressive palm!

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8041007,7.7398876,3a,40.2y,307.2h,101.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sviZZvpQZPJURlUrvOQnqCA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu

I visited this royal in San Jose, California a few months back and got a video of it for my YouTube channel, Palm Planet. It was looking a bit rough after this past exceptionally cool and rainy winter but has been there for many years and usually looks good. San Jose has similar weather averages to Sanremo and is about the northernmost place in North America royals are growable.

 

Nice find!

[Alex High]

34 minutes ago, RedRabbit said:

Nice find!

Thanks! Pretty awesome to see more people experimenting with royals in the northern Mediterranean.

[LivistonaFan]

3 hours ago, Alex High said:

I just saw an old Facebook post of a royal slightly further north, just across the border in Sanremo, Italy. I did some Google Maps sleuthing and located it. This may be the new northernmost royal on Earth. It was planted in 2020 and the street view has not updated since September of 2021, but it's survived at least 1 winter so far and looked good as of then. Would love to see a more recent update on it. Really impressive palm!

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8041007,7.7398876,3a,40.2y,307.2h,101.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sviZZvpQZPJURlUrvOQnqCA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu

I visited this royal in San Jose, California a few months back and got a video of it for my YouTube channel, Palm Planet. It was looking a bit rough after this past exceptionally cool and rainy winter but has been there for many years and usually looks good. San Jose has similar weather averages to Sanremo and is about the northernmost place in North America royals are growable.

 

Great find! I have actually been there last year and bought plants but did not recognise this palm as a royal (if it was still there). 

I will try to go back there in the next few months.

[Alex High]

8 hours ago, LivistonaFan said:

Great find! I have actually been there last year and bought plants but did not recognise this palm as a royal (if it was still there). 

I will try to go back there in the next few months.

Very cool, seems like a great nursery! That's awesome, I would love to see an update on this palm if it's still there when you go back. Thanks!

[FlaPalmLover]

Seems to me that royals will technically "grow" and survive in certain areas, but as far as actually having nice, green, healthy-looking fronds and the aesthetic you see in areas where it's thriving, it just doesn't happen. You can see that with a lot of the ones you see in zone-pushing areas - the trunk and crownshaft may look nice but the fronds just don't match, unfortunately.

[LivistonaFan]

On 9/10/2023 at 8:12 PM, Alex High said:

Very cool, seems like a great nursery! That's awesome, I would love to see an update on this palm if it's still there when you go back. Thanks!

The Roystonea is still there although the crown is only slightly bigger now than 2 years ago. 

The trunk is quite impressive in person,  shoe size 12 for comparison 

overall palm

 

[Alex High]

5 hours ago, LivistonaFan said:

The Roystonea is still there although the crown is only slightly bigger now than 2 years ago. 

The trunk is quite impressive in person,  shoe size 12 for comparison 

overall palm

 

Very impressive for such a high latitude, glad to see it's still alive and growing! Thanks for the update!

[RedRabbit]

7 hours ago, LivistonaFan said:

The Roystonea is still there although the crown is only slightly bigger now than 2 years ago. 

The trunk is quite impressive in person,  shoe size 12 for comparison 

overall palm

 

Thanks, I’m glad to see it’s still hanging in there…

It’s an interesting climate where it doesn’t get cold enough to kill the palm outright, but it also doesn’t have the heat/sunlight to really grow either. There’s definitely no eastern US equivalent. 

[Alex High]

16 hours ago, RedRabbit said:

Thanks, I’m glad to see it’s still hanging in there…

It’s an interesting climate where it doesn’t get cold enough to kill the palm outright, but it also doesn’t have the heat/sunlight to really grow either. There’s definitely no eastern US equivalent. 

Yeah I find Mediterranean climates like that fascinating. Yeah certainly no Eastern U.S. equivalent, the closest in the U.S. would be parts of the Bay Area and Central California.

[bubba]

The Royal located in San Remo Italy at 43° . 804 north is totally insane! That is not a struggling palm with a trunk that thick. For those of us in Florida in the United States, this is truly mind-boggling. California is the state most likely to grow the furthest north anything, including Royals and other palms that are cold sensitive but this is that latitude of 37° north. This is still insane!

The climates in Europe on the Mediterranean and in England, are mind-boggling! Thank you Alex for locating the bullish Royal in San Remo, Italy. It has to be the world record until….

 

 

 

[Foxpalms]

On 5/4/2024 at 12:57 PM, bubba said:

The Royal located in San Remo Italy at 43° . 804 north is totally insane! That is not a struggling palm with a trunk that thick. For those of us in Florida in the United States, this is truly mind-boggling. California is the state most likely to grow the furthest north anything, including Royals and other palms that are cold sensitive but this is that latitude of 37° north. This is still insane!

The climates in Europe on the Mediterranean and in England, are mind-boggling! Thank you Alex for locating the bullish Royal in San Remo, Italy. It has to be the world record until….

 

 

 

Now that I think about it, I am not sure why I only just remembered this just now! When I was in Monaco in either 2014 or 2015, I went to San Remo for the day. I now remember seeing a small sized royal palm in someone's garden, whilst driving towards the town centre. I have no clue whether or not it is still alive or the exact location. But somewhere just west of San Remo. It was not the same palm as the one posted above, I remember it being in a garden of a house though on a similar type of windy road slightly above sea level.

[bubba]

It really is wild! Not only that but what a great specimen!