Cold-Resistant Palms for Europe

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |

Some cold-hardy species, according to hardiness:

-18 to -21 C (-0.5 to -6 F):

The hardiest of all palms are two North American species. Rhapidophyllum hystrix and Sabal minor. They are both small fan-leaved palms that can fit in any garden. Rhapidophyllum has long black needles, Sabal minor has a short underground stem. They can be tried virtually anywhere in Europe, as they have been grown successfully from Greece to Scandinavia. Rhapidophyllum can be too slow if summers are not warm enough.

A leaf of the fully hardy Sabal minor. This palm can take about – 21 C.

-12 C to -18 C (-10.5 to -0.5 F):

Jubea chilensis is the most majestic of all hardy palms. It is all about size, because Jubea has the largest trunk of all palms. It is a pinnate (feather-leaved) palm native to high elevations in Chile. Palm collectors in the tropics dream of having one Jubaea, but it needs some cold to thrive. Fruits are edible nuts and taste much like coconut.Various Trachycarpus species, can take hard frosts, such as T. fortunei, T. nanus, T. takil, T. princeps, T. wagnerianus. Different plants in the N American genus Sabal are hardy, like S. uresana and Sabal x texensis, which the natural cross between Sabal minor and Sabal palmetto. Some more species resist to only – 14 C (6.8 F): Trachycarpus oreophilus and T. geminisectus and the beautiful Trithrinax campestris from Argentina, with silvery stiff, thick, leaves. Nannorrhops can take hard frosts if it is well drained.

Juvenile Trithrinax campestris with silvery leaves

Trithrinax campestris is hardy to about -15 C

Juvenile Trithrinax campestris with silvery leaves

-9 to -12 C (-15.5 to -10.5 F):

More and more species can be grown where temperatures do not fall too hard. Braheas are blue leaved desert fan palms from Mexico. The most popular are the stately Brahea armata and the low, trunkless B. decumbens. Another desert palm from the Middle East is Nannorrhops ritchiana. Canarius offers different forms originating in different countries. Some forms show incredible grey-white leaves.The exciting genus Butia, has elegant, arching pinnate leaves. About 14 species can take hard frosts, some of the most desirable are Butia eriospatha, B. capitata, B. odorata, B. paraguayensis, B. purpurascens, B. yatay. Some butias bear delicious sweet fruits, juicy and aromatic.Few rainforest palms tolerate hard frosts. Some Mexican Chamaedorea species are hardy, such as Chamaedorea microspadix and Chamaedorea radicalis. Their fine foliage adds a delicate touch to any garden, patio or conservatory. A strong, hardy palm is the Mediterranean fan palm, Chamaerops humilis. It is a clumping fan palm native to SW Europe and Morocco. The moroccan form is known as Chamaerops humilis cerifera. It has beautiful waxy-blue foliage and it is very hardy as it comes from the higher Atlas Mountains. More species of Trachycarpus can be planted outdoors if temperatures never go below 12 C : T. latisectus, T. martianus, T. oreophilus and T. princeps.The genus Phoenix includes the famous date palm, Phoenix dactylifera and the Canary Island palm, Phoenix canariensis. They do take frost, like some other members of the genus: P. loureiroi, P. humilis, P. sylvestris, P. theoprastii. More and more Sabal species can be grown if frosts are not too hard. The following species can take about – 10 C: Sabal domingensis, S. etonia, S. maritima, S. mexicana, S. palmetto, S. rosei. Hardy palms from North America are the dwarf Serenoa repens and the tall, stately whashingtonias, with two species: Washingtonia filifera and W. robusta. A different fan palm is Trithrinax brasiliensis, with large, round, flat fan leaves and beautiful, tropical-looking, yellow flowers.

Frost hardy Chamaerops humilis cerifera from the mountains of Morocco

-2 to -9 C (-28.5 to -15.5 F):

Lots of new genera and species can be tried in milder areas: Arenga engleri and A. micrantha resist to about – 7 C. Different species of Livistona, Parajubaea, Syagrus, Acrocomia aculeata, Copernicia alba. If it really never goes below -4 C, Rhopalostylis from New Zealand, some Caryota species from Asia the wax palms from the Andes, Ceroxylon, such as C. andinum and C. amazonicum, a number of Chamaedorea species, some of the high-elevation Dypsis from Madagascar, the showy, large, grey leaved Bismarckia nobilis, or the fabulous red-leaf palm, Chambeyronia macrocarpa.

Arenga engleri can take frost at – 9 C

Never below -2 C (never below -28.5 F):

The list is just too long. 200 or more palm species can be grown outdoors in lucky climates. If you are in located in the coastal Mediterranean, many of the palms offered by Canarius will grow for you.

You can buy all these palms and many more in the Palm Section of our Shop – We ship to anywhere in Europe.

This is our Parajubaea torallyi torallyi in a 12x14 cm pot

This is our Parajubaea torallyi torallyi in a 12×14 cm pot

Our Trachycarpus takil in a 12 cm pot, ready to be shipped

Growing Tropical Plants in Cold Europe – Tips

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |

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Tropical and Mediterranean garden styles are spreading through Europe. People are trying new species and new techniques to create exotic gardens in colder, northern climates. While many tropical species cannot survive cold winters, some can be replaced by subtropical species or tropical-looking hardy species. Tropical gardens are often rich in large leaved plants, such as palms and bananas. Mediterranean gardens are not so dense and lush, they rather show open vegetation, sculptured by wind and sun. Shrubs and trees are often enhanced by cacti, yuccas and palms from dry habitats.

Trachycarpus wagnerianus is a frost proof palm species, hardy to about -18 C.

Canarius offers some tips to help growers in their tropical adventures:

Young plants are often less resistant to cold. If you are purchasing small sizes from Canarius, protect them in winter during a few years, especially if you are pushing the limits of your climate by introducing tender species.
Get protection from walls and canopy. Walls and buildings can stop the wind and release warmth at night. Even some large rocks on the ground can help. Canopy (a tree above) make a sheltered environment and helps to minimize the effect of frost or hail.
Sun in, wind out. Design the garden so that it can catch the sunlight from the South and trap the warmth. Keep it screened from the coldest winter winds.
Try the right species. Palms and cacti are tropical plants but SOME palms and SOME cacti can grow in even in Northern Europe. Many tropical families or genera include a few species which are hardier than others, usually because their wild habitat is located at high elevations or high latitudes. Hardy Palms will take -18 or below! Canarius offers an excellent selection of hardy tropicals. Check our blog article Hardy Palms for Europe.
Cold hardy cactus. Echinocereus enneacanthus sarissophorus can take about – 20 C if kept dry.
All plants from dry areas increase their hardiness if kept dry. For example, many cacti can take freezes if kept dry. The same species might rot in warmer Mediterranean climates if left outdoors during the winter rains.
Desert plants in the garden do better on raised mounds. Palm-like plants from dry regions (Yucca and Dasylirion) and various cacti can take frosts to harder than -10 C (14 F). They will be even hardier if planted in a much drained site, such as a raised mound or in sandy soil.
Plants with underground stems increase resistance if mulched. Use abundant mulching during the coldest months. Heliconia, bananas, Strelitzia, sugar-cane, gingers.
Use winter protections. All tropical plants will benefit from some protection, from cold, wind or hail. Plants from dry climates, such as cacti, succulents or desert palms might need a shelter for the rain. Learn about how to protect them. Cover them with anti-frost fabric. Build temporary shelters. Use plastic or bubblewrap, Check the temperature. Keen collectors use a number of materials and often provide some heating to the most valuable plants they grow outdoors.
Yucca rostrata is a grey leaved beauty from American deserts. It grows into a palm-like frost hardy tree.
Think of pots. Move them in for winter. Some exotic plants, like cacti and cycads do very well in pots. Grow tropicals in large pots and take them to a protected place in winter. In many cases a sheltered patio, balcony or the southern wall of the house will be enough. Cacti and succulents will be protected from rain.
Cacti and Succulents will rest in winter. Many species can be grown in the North, as long as they are induced to rest during the long and dark months. It is possible to store resting cacti anywhere, as long as they are kept dry and above freezing. Some collectors store them in closets. Few succulents will grow actively indoors in house conditions, because of the lack of sunlight. Gasteria and Haworthia are some exceptions.
It is not all about temperature. Warmth is just one of the many needs of a tropical plant. The “Tropical people of the North” often focus too much on temperatures. Think of general horticulture, and think about irrigation, fertilizing, sunlight or shade, pest protection, etc. A well grown healthy plant will tolerate much colder temperatures than its weaker counterpart.

The new Cycads from China – Cold Hardy?

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |

The new species of Cycas from China

The genus Cycas has a large number of species in China. Most of them have not been cultivated in the western world until a few years ago, and various new species have been only recently described by botanists. Many are from cold or cool regions. Most species come from Yunnan, which is an inland region of Southern China of very high biological diversity. Yunnan is highly populated and agriculture has taken over the landscape. Thankfully, most cycads occur on rocky and hilly areas which are somehow conserved. The mining industry is threatening some species. Collection of adult specimens for ornamental purposes is also a problem in habitat. In our shop you can purchase many of these species of Cycas, all reproduced from legally purchased seeds.

The Bipinnate Cycads

Some Chinese species of Cycas have bipinnate (double-feather) leaves. These are very graceful, unusual leaves, reminiscent of ferns and little else in the plant kingdom. Many bipinnate cycads are easy, fast growers like Cycas debaoensis. Some others are slow and difficult.

Only one species of bipinnate cycad was known in Europe since the early XXth century and this was Cycas micholitzii. In recent years the new species from China reached the market and achieved incredible prices in the world seed trade.

A bipinnnate cycad leaf

Cold hardiness of some Chinese species

Cycas debaoensis tolerated about -8 C (17 F) in California. It is an easy species, that grows back very fast. Collectors noticed that a heavy mulch improves hardiness.

Cycas longipetiolula grows well in cool and wet conditions and is hardy to short, light frosts of -2 C. Adult leaves are incredibly ornamental and fern-like, to about 4 m (12 ft.) tall.

Juvenile bipinnate leaf of Cycas longipetiolula

Cycas multifrondis and Cycas multipinnata. Little or nothing is known about frost tolerance of these bipinnate cycas. Both are new and beautiful, fast, easy growing species. As we see, they prefer the cool, wet winters of the Canary Islands, rather than the hot and dry summer. Cycas multifrondis is especially graceful because of the wavy leaf margins.

Cycas panzihuahuensis is widely thought to be one of the most cold-hardy of all the cycads. It is grown outdoors in the United Kingdom. It takes about -9 C (16 F) and below. It will quickly come back if defoliated.

Cycas diannanensis is another frost hardy species. It grows at about 1200 m (4000 ft) asl, but the highest populations, known in the market as Cycas diannanensis Mountain Form, achieves 1800 m (5900 ft) asl. Once again, the species is so new to growers do not know how hardy it exactly is.

Frost-hardy Cycas diannanensis, from high mountains in China.

Cycas guizhouensis, from the province of Guizhou stands about -8 C (17 F). It is a small, robust cycad with flat, shiny grey-green leaves and narrow leaflets. It is native to Guizhou, Guanxi and Yunnan, in China, where it grows in scrubby open forests on steep limestone slopes. Cycas guizhouensis is an easy grower and does well in Mediterranean and warm temperate climates, as it can take moderate frosts.

Cycas guizhouensis easily grows outdoors in Mediterranean Climates. We ship these plants to Europe.

All these species are new to many collectors and we will update the blog as soon as we learn more about their cold tolerance. We would like you to tell us your experiences with chinese cycads in your garden.

Try an increasing selection of chinese species in the Cycad section of our plant shop!

The Canary Islands

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |

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The Canary Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin, consisting of seven major islands, one minor island, and several islets. They are located in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the Africa, near Morocco and Western Sahara. They are part of Spain, as the autonomous community of the Canary Islands.

There is a mild, oceanic climate, spectacular volcanic landscapes, unique endemic nature and excellent Canarian Food and Cuisine.

The islands lived an interesting history, from the first aborigines, through colonial times, to the modern society and the recent decades of global tourism. Older architecture is well conserved on most islands and the city of La Laguna in Tenerife is a World Heritage Site.

Typical House in Tenerife, with a Subtropical Kentia Palm and Potted Cacti

Tenerife is the largest island, with about one million inhabitants; the island of Fuerteventura is the second in size, then Gran Canaria. There are two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital city of the Western Islands and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the capital of the Eastern Islands.

All the islands are volcanic in origin. All except La Gomera have been active in the last million years. The Teide volcano on Tenerife is the highest mountain in Spain and one of the largest volcanoes on an island.Coordinates are about Lat. 28°N and Long. 15°W.

The climate is oceanic and relatively mild. It is Subtropical to Mediterranean at lower altitudes and Temperate to Alpine at higher elevations, where conspicuous snowfalls occur regularly. The NE trade winds keep cooler summers and cause a major difference between the Northern and Southern slopes of the highest islands. Northern coasts are cooler, cloudier and rainier, while the South is drier, sunnier and warmer. Local climate can be very wet or very dry in some parts of the islands.

Two mango trees in the dry mountains of Southern Anaga, Tenerife.

Local nature is marvelous, endemic and endangered. Four of Spain’s thirteen national parks are located in the Canary Islands: Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente in La Palma, Garajonay National Park in La Gomera, Teide National Park in Tenerife and Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote.

Fruiting papaya in the Canary Islands

Canarian Agriculture

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |

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The Canary Islands have a diverse agriculture, spread over different climates ranging from sunny coastal deserts to wet and cooler cloud forests. The main export crops are bananas and tomatoes, grown under shade cloths. Other monocultures of the past were Sugar Cane and Opuntia cacti, planted to obtain fruits and cochineals. Tropical fruits produced on a wide scale include avocado, mango, papaya and pineapple. A considerable collection of minor fruit crops is grown in smaller farms or family orchards: Chestnuts, Loquats, Guava and Coffee. Potatoes are widespread on the islands, both on a small family scale and on industrial scale.

Dry areas are planted with almonds , figs, wine grapes. New tropical fruits include lychee and noni. Traditional agriculture still goes on in rural areas. Popular crops are potatoes and sweet potatoes, figs, and the exotic Ñame (Alocasia). Other related products of the Canarian fields are Bee-Honey, Palm-honey, and Sugar Cane-Honey. Animal breeding for meat, cheese and milk is performed by modern factories, mostly for the local maret. Traditional goat breeding still goes on in some areas of the islands.There is a thriving industry of ornamental plants and cut flowers. Exotic flowers are exported, such as Bird of paradise (Strelitzia), proteas and roses. Ornamental plants for use as indoor plants in mainland Europe include Kentia (Howea forsteriana), Dypsis lutescens, Chamaedorea elegans, Rhapis excelsa.

Canarian Food and Cuisine

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |

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The Canary Islands are home to typical dishes and ingredients, always linked to the unique environment. Ingredients are provided by the rich Canarian Agriculture, that is specially diverse because it is blessed by a climate which is both Subtropical and Mediterranean. Mojo (pronounced mo-ho) is a sauce which may be orange, red, or green depending on its ingredients. Mojo often has some garlic and can be moderately spicy. Red mojos are often used on meat, while green mojo is chiefly served with fish. Both are served with bread or stewed potatoes. Canarian mojo is often considered the father to all mojos of Latin America, especially Cuba, due to heavy Canarian emigration.

Canarian Mojos are traditionally handmade with fresh ingredients

One very typical product is gofio, a flour obtained by grinding roasted cereals. Gofio is converted into various dishes or added to many foods. It is mixed with warm milk as a drink for breakfast, as well as made into a dough-like food and eaten alongside meals. Some foods are dyed yellow, using a local azafran (saffron) as food colouring. Goat cheese is manufactured in many ways. Fresh white cheese has a light flavour and it is often served with mojos or gently topped with bee-honey or palm-honey. Canarian Bee honey is unique, just like the endemic flowers visited by the bees. Palm-honey is the concentrated sap of the native palm species, extracted by a millenary technique. Both bee-honey and palm-honey are used in many ways to prepare different dishes of the local cuisine.

A sweet indulgence is frangollo, It is a paste made from maize flour, sugar, grounded almonds and raisins. Tropical fruits are commonly grown on the islands. Some are grown on a very large scale. The most widespread is the banana, followed by mango, avocado, Figs and Cactus Figs (Opuntia ficus-indica). Fruits are processed by local manufacturers in order to prepare delicious jams with or without sugar.

Visit our shop. Canarius offers a wide range of Canarian Foods and Drinks. We also ship living plants of exotic fruit trees, so you can grow your own flavours at home.

Avocado is part of the typical Canarian salad.

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Canarius Blog

Exotic Plants from the Canary Islands

Cold-Resistant Palms for Europe

Some cold-hardy species, according to hardiness:

-18 to -21 C (-0.5 to -6 F):

-12 C to -18 C (-10.5 to -0.5 F):

-9 to -12 C (-15.5 to -10.5 F):

-2 to -9 C (-28.5 to -15.5 F):

Never below -2 C (never below -28.5 F):

Growing Tropical Plants in Cold Europe – Tips

The new Cycads from China – Cold Hardy?

The new species of Cycas from China

The Bipinnate Cycads

Cold hardiness of some Chinese species

The Canary Islands

Canarian Agriculture

Canarian Food and Cuisine