New Palm Planting in Hyper-Oceanic 9b/bordering 10a Europe

[IrishPalm22]

Planted today experimentally in far West Cork, less than 0.5km from the sea in zone 9b/bordering 10a:

- Phoenix canariensis (actually twins, but felt I could not separate them safely without damaging the root systems)

- Sabal bermudana 

- Sabal uresana ‘Green Form’

- Syagrus romanzoffiana ‘Littoralis’

They are facing south on a south-facing slope with some salt spray during strong southerly/southwesterly gales, but well protected from north and east winds by stone structures and tree breaks. I used black landscaping fabric and dark mulch to boost the temperature and control weeds. Fertilised with ample Irish seaweed fertiliser.

 

Winter high temperatures are around 10C typically, maybe a touch colder. The winter cold is not a concern given siting but strong wind is, as is pests/animals, duration of cold, especially for the Syagrus, but I want to stay optimistic.

Also shown is existing New Zealand flax (invasive), full blooming Hydrangea, and Escallonia elsewhere on the property.

 

 

[Harry’s Palms]

Beautiful garden . They should do ok , depending how much sun they get in winter. The only concern I would have is how close to the building you planted the Canariensis, but it will be many years before it would become a worry . They are very hard to move when they get large , due to the massive root ball and size of the palm. I am especially curious how that Syagrus will do in Ireland …..palm trees in Ireland whodathunk! My Irish Mum is turning in her grave 😂 Harry

[SeanK]

Those palms are too close to each other and the building if they live more than five years.

[kinzyjr]

It's going to be interesting seeing how all of those do.

[Las Palmas Norte]

As pointed out, these will need much more surrounding space. I've been lead to believe there's little heat in summer and nearly frost free in winter there. It'll be interesting to see how these perform. 

[MarcusH]

Syagrus romanzoffiana and especially Sabals need a good amount of sun to thrive as well as heat for many months in order to grow fast.   The low temperatures won't kill your palms but the lack of intense sunshine and heat most likely will be the reason why you won't succeed keeping them alive long term in your area. There's a reason why you won't see them around.  I would say you have way better luck with growing Phoenix Canarienses. 

PS: your yard looks beautiful.  Keep up the great work and keep us updated. 

 

[IrishPalm22]

4 hours ago, SeanK said:

Those palms are too close to each other and the building if they live more than five years.

Yes, I realise that but will be ages before it’s an issue with the cool, damp.

[IrishPalm22]

1 hour ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

As pointed out, these will need much more surrounding space. I've been lead to believe there's little heat in summer and nearly frost free in winter there. It'll be interesting to see how these perform. 

Frosts can happen, more likely a light freeze to around -1C/-2C on a few occasions in the years. Snow and proper ice are exceedingly uncommon, more common a few km inland. The heat is low compared to urban locations like Cork and Dublin, which are cool enough, but winter highs notably milder during cold snaps, less time below freezing when it happens.

[IrishPalm22]

28 minutes ago, MarcusH said:

Syagrus romanzoffiana and especially Sabals need a good amount of sun to thrive as well as heat for many months in order to grow fast.   The low temperatures won't kill your palms but the lack of intense sunshine and heat most likely will be the reason why you won't succeed keeping them alive long term in your area. There's a reason why you won't see them around.  I would say you have way better luck with growing Phoenix Canarienses. 

PS: your yard looks beautiful.  Keep up the great work and keep us updated. 

 

Thank you. Yes, the Sabals I would worry about a bit and the Queen with lack of productivity in growth in the cool, damp. I’ve heard S. bermudana is a better grower in cool summers than other Sabal (but still painfully slow) but that could be wrong. We shall see.

[SeanK]

Are their any New Zealand natives that might grow for you?

[MarcusH]

35 minutes ago, IrishPalm22 said:

Thank you. Yes, the Sabals I would worry about a bit and the Queen with lack of productivity in growth in the cool, damp. I’ve heard S. bermudana is a better grower in cool summers than other Sabal (but still painfully slow) but that could be wrong. We shall see.

It doesn't hurt to try.  Sometimes miracles happen. I'm just going by information that I get from this forum as well as personal experience.  But listen to the others when it comes to planting the palms further away from the house and more apart.  

Good luck!!

[IrishPalm22]

3 hours ago, SeanK said:

Are their any New Zealand natives that might grow for you?

I can’t find Rhopalostylis at a reasonable price, don’t have the evergreen tree canopy it would need to really excel unless I plant some fast growing Eucalyptus or other wide-leafed evergreen (major project) but sure look would probs plant it if I found one in the EU with shipping cheap enough, or plant a Juania. These two are super rare but should be offered more readily in EU markets given the prevalence of mild oceanic climate. The wind and exposure without an established evergreen canopy would be problematic I’d imagine, not temperature itself 99.9% of the time. Brahea edulis would be nice to try, as would Parajubaea or some of the Jubaea X hybrids. These latter three are probably better options in more open south facing siting than Juania or Rhopalostylis. New Zealand and Tasmania/S AUS are brimming with plants that are likely highly viable.