Azores palms + landscapes

[Shoowow]

A new book about Ponta Delgada's Jardim António Borges includes a photo from 1850 that appears to show some type of Roystonea... The original plant records from the garden list 50 different types of palms. Given that only about a dozen different types now exist, I wonder what else grew there before. Time to go to library to investigate! 

On the other hand, I just picked a batch of Hyophorbe verschaffeltii seeds (perhaps a little too late in the season) and hope some are viable for a little experiement!

 

[pnl22]

I visited São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, São Jorge and Faial a couple weeks ago and was really impressed with the landscape and fauna.

I noticed these palm trees on the southeastern coast of Pico. Any idea what they are?

[tim_brissy_13]

1 hour ago, pnl22 said:

I visited São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, São Jorge and Faial a couple weeks ago and was really impressed with the landscape and fauna.

I noticed these palm trees on the southeastern coast of Pico. Any idea what they are?

Archontophoenix alexandrae (possibly A maxima but less likely), solitary Dypsis lutescens, Howea forsteriana. 

[Gunnar Hillert]

Fascinating thread. In your opinion, which areas of your island might provide the best microclimates to grow the widest variety of palms ... North vs. south versus e.g. Sete Cidades vs. Furnas etc. Also ist the original list of palms at Ponta Delgada's Jardim António Borges online somewhere? Plan on travelling to the Azores later this year 🙂.

[Shoowow]

Hello Gunnar, the island has indeed many great microclimates to grow palms. Usually the best locations are south facing below 200 meters. Best areas are along the corridor between Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca on the island of S. Miguel. I'm at 100 m on the north shore, also a very good microclimate. Our biggest problem is usually wind, so sheltered locations are best.

A copy of António Borges' original catalog can be found at the regional library in Ponta Delgada. I'm not aware of an online version. I hope this helps. 

[Gunnar Hillert]

Thanks for your feedback. Just wondering what the holy-grail locations on Saō Miguel would be for growing the broadest spectrum of palm species (I don't care too much about coconut🙂):

• low elevation
• wanting to minimize salt spray
• somewhat sheltered to minimize wind impact

How about the area southwest around Candelária? Or is that too exposed? How much does temperature drop with elevation in the Azores?

By the way, there was a study published in 2020 "Green Gardens Azores Project: A brief characterization of the vascular flora in
the Azores’ historical gardens" - The study PDF is here: https://doi.org/10.25145/j.SI.2020.03.01

The study took inventory of all major botanical collections in the Azores. Unfortunately, the Excel database does not seem to be publicly available. Might be interesting to get that Excel spreadsheet from the Universidade dos Açores (They did not answer to my email, yet).

[SoulofthePlace]

On 7/24/2020 at 10:14 AM, Shoowow said:

Hello lzorrito, thank you for your comments. We have amazing palms here, but still lacking some variety. More and more people are introducing new types. 

As for the coconut, it went in the ground last June and did very well until about December, when it declined due to stem rot. I suspect cool temps and too much water on the crown as it was a very rainy month. Came to find out this is a common problem with young coconuts. I pulled what remained and the roots were intact and strong, with no rot. So, definitely stem rot. I may try another one, but I'd rather sprout something or buy one just sprouted, as these greenhouse coconuts have less of a chance.

Here my latest two pics from my Royal and Alfie. I will post more photos of awesome local palms as I see them around the island.

Those two look like Archontophoenix and a Beccariophoenix alfredii.

[Shoowow]

And look at them now... How are your palms doing in Pico, especially the more exotic types?

[Shoowow]

On 3/30/2025 at 7:09 PM, Gunnar Hillert said:

Thanks for your feedback. Just wondering what the holy-grail locations on Saō Miguel would be for growing the broadest spectrum of palm species (I don't care too much about coconut🙂):

• low elevation
• wanting to minimize salt spray
• somewhat sheltered to minimize wind impact

How about the area southwest around Candelária? Or is that too exposed? How much does temperature drop with elevation in the Azores?

By the way, there was a study published in 2020 "Green Gardens Azores Project: A brief characterization of the vascular flora in
the Azores’ historical gardens" - The study PDF is here: https://doi.org/10.25145/j.SI.2020.03.01

The study took inventory of all major botanical collections in the Azores. Unfortunately, the Excel database does not seem to be publicly available. Might be interesting to get that Excel spreadsheet from the Universidade dos Açores (They did not answer to my email, yet).

I was part of that book project on the translation and proofreading. Very interesting book and research work. I have meant to go directly to the library to look at the archives but have generally postponed it.

Any sheltered place along the south of S. Miguel up to 200 m suitable for most palms. Some places you can maximize sun hours, but sheltered from wind and salt is preferable.

[Gunnar Hillert]

Thanks @Shoowow for your responses! We will be on Saō Miguel late next week, staying right next to the Parque Terra Nostra in Furnas. Looking forward to see some palms in Europe 🙂.