Hardy Palms - Pinnate-leaved Palms

Pinnate-leaved Palms

Few palms with pinnate leaves tolerate much frost. They belong to several tribes of the Arecaceae, with the species listed here belonging to Tribe Areceae (Chamaedorea), Tribe Cocoeae (Butia, Jubaea) and Tribe Phoeniceae (Phoenix).

• Chilean Wine Palm (Jubaea chilensis) - A contender for the hardiest pinnate-leaved palm, it is hardy to about −12 °C and has been cultivated successfully as far north as Seattle, Washington and London England. This palm does not perform well in hot, humid climates but has proven hardier than Butia capitata in cooler, maritime climates in such places as Great Britain and the Pacific Northwest. Chilean Wine palms have a very small native range, grow very slowly, and thus it is exceptionally rare to find fully grown examples outside of Chile.
• Butia Palm or Jelly Palm / Pindo Palm (Butia capitata) - With Jubaea, possibly the hardiest known pinnate-leaved palm. It is also hardy to −12 °C, and has been experimentally cultivated in Delaware, New Jersey, and with greater success in Seattle, Washington (Pacific Northwest), and is commonly planted from southeastern Virginia, south along the Atlantic coast and around portions of the Atlanta metro area. With protection, they can be grown as far north as New York City. It thrives in humid subtropical climates. This tree is commonly known as the "jelly palm" because of the sticky, edible, date like fruit it produces, which is used in many South American countries to make jelly.
• Chamaedorea microspadix and Chamaedorea radicalis are the hardiest known species in the genus Chamaedorea. Both species come from Mexico and are considered stem hardy to about −11 °C, although they will lose their leaves at temperatures below about −6 °C.
• Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) - This species is hardy to about −10 °C, and is grown as far north as the south of England (50°N), producing viable seed (In Southsea, Hampshire ). This palm is one of the most commonly grown palms in the world. Well adapted to low humidity and little watering, this palm is used as an ornamental in both Mediterranean climates and desert climates. In more humid climates, these trees will often be seen with sword ferns sprouting just beneath the crown.
• Cretan Date Palm (Phoenix theophrastii) - Another species of Phoenix which may show similar frost tolerance, native to Crete and southwest Turkey, but has not been adequately tested.
• Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) - This relative of the Canary Island date palm, and producer of the edible date, is also hardy to about −10 °C, but does not tolerate very wet areas. This palm is one of the staple plants of the Middle East for its versatility and edible fruit.
• Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) - Hardy to about −8 °C. this palm is native to central and eastern South America. Formerly named Cocos plumosa, it resembles the coconut (cocos), it has graceful, flowing plumose fronds. Very fast growing and invasive, this palm is often treated as a weed in much of Florida. Mature specimens have been known to survive a brief dip to 14F (-10C), with complete defoliation, although these temperatures can be expected to kill some trees.
• Mule Palm (XButyagrus) - Hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Man made hybrid between the Butia palm and Queen palm. One of the hardiest feather palms. It combines the hardiness of the Butia palm with the fast growing, tropical fronds of the Queen palm. Mature specimens are quite rare due to the difficulty in producing this palm and the characteristics and cold tolerance of the palm is variable with each specimen. Many of them resemble coconut palms.