16 Different Palm Tree Varieties For Every Type Of Landscape

28.06.2023 - 09:00 / southernliving.com

Palm trees are cherished for the tropical flair they add to any setting, but with so many palm tree types available, it can be hard to choose the right one for the landscape. When selecting palm trees for your garden consider function as well as environment. Some palm trees are well suited to planting as a specimen or accent, while others perform better along the edges of the landscape. Though we think of palms as sun-loving tropical plants, some have surprising cold or shade tolerance, expanding their range of use. We’ve helped simplify the selection process by organizing the different palm tree types into categories based on performance and visual characteristics.   

Palm trees are the focal point of tropical gardens, and can even be used in more temperature zones to make a statement. Canary Island date palm is the poster child of tropical gardens. This majestic tree has a huge canopy of deep green, arching fronds set atop a stout trunk crisscrossed with diamond-shaped leaf scars. With a mature height of 40-60 feet and a spread up to 40 feet at maturity, Canary Island date palm makes a statement in larger landscapes. Hardy in zones 9-11, this palm can be planted as a single specimen or in groups along a border. In cooler regions, it can be grown in containers. 

Maturing at 20-25 feet tall, the spindle palm makes a wonderful specimen in smaller spaces, such as entryway planting beds and poolside gardens. This stately palm has a somewhat formal look, with a smooth trunk ringed with leaf scars, and a loose, open canopy of 10-foot-long arching foliage. Plant in full sun in