Canary Island Date Palm

Detailed Description

Description
Massive and imposing, the Canary Island Date Palm is the center of attention wherever it is planted. Growing up to 60' tall, the thick, hulking trunk is covered with interesting diamond designs that mark the point of attachment of the leaves. The massive trunk supports a huge crown of over 50 huge arching pinnate leaves that may reach 18' long. These leaves are deep green shading to a yellow stem where the leaflets are replaced by spines.

  In areas of high rainfall, like Florida, these palms are often seen with ferns growing from among the old leaf stems. Decomposing leaf litter and other fibrous matter collect there creating an absorbent compost that sword ferns love, forming a hanging garden just below the palm's canopy.The orange dates are formed on drooping, highly branched inflorescences and are very decorative. They are edible but not very tasty.

Usage
This is NOT a good palm tree for residences unless you have a really BIG yard - or a Mediterranean style mansion (which they decorate very nicely!) The huge bulk of the Canary Island palm dwarfs most houses. This palm is best used along boulevards, on campuses and in parks and grouped in trios to form focal points in cityscapes. I particularly like the look of a trio of these palms of different heights, with their trunks floodlit at night - very dramatic! Small specimens make great container plants - they look especially nice in large terra cotta pots. In colder regions they can be over-wintered indoors in a cool, bright location.

Features
If you want to make a dramatic statement, use this huge imposing palm wherever there is space to accommodate it. Small specimens are inexpensive and readily available and look great in pots on the patio, near the pool, or in pairs flanking entryways.