Create your own tropical oasis in your garden with the use of palm trees. Palms with their rustling lush curved fronds and textured trunks, provide our gardens with shade and give the sense of tranquility and soothing structural beauty. Whether planted alone as a specimen feature or in mixed group plantings, palms with their moving fronds create shade and interest in any setting. When in flower some palms give off fragrance and all attract pollinators and birds to our gardens.
Planting Calendar
Palms can be planted throughout the year but do best when planted in Spring and Autumn, giving them time to establish their roots before the heat of summer.
Prepare
Position
Palms are varied and there are many different varieties, talk to our team at your local Kings store for the right palm for your situation.
Soil
When planted into the ground, palms like a moist but free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
Plant
When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Novatec Premium fertiliser, then mix together well. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and will help to break down the clay. When planting into containers, plant in Kings Containers mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster.
Care
Watering
Watering is essential especially in the first few years, this allows the roots to get well established. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. Consider setting up an automatic watering system – these can be simple and inexpensive.
Feeding
Liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and a healthy immune system. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. For greener growth and healthy plants feed in Spring, Summer and Autumn with Novatec.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (make sure that the mulch does not come into direct contact with the stem of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to retain moisture.
Spraying
Protect palms from scale and other insects by spraying with Groventive Garden Systemic Insecticide.
Pruning
Pruning is only required to remove dead fronds.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Beginner Tip
Palms have sensitive tap roots, take care not to damage the roots when planting.
Expert Tip
Avoid using oil based spray on palm leaves, as the spray can mark the leaves.
Tip
Palms need protection from frost and like to be kept moist.
Top Varieties
Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)
A graceful palm that is relatively quick growing. Looks great when planted into a cluster. Juvenile foliage starts out as a solid leaf, then adult foliage develops into feathery plumes. Growing 10m x 3m
Rhopalostylis sapida (Nikau Palm)
The iconic Nikau has its place in shaded areas of the garden. Standing upright and stately like a feather duster this is a must have in native gardens. Growing to a height of 9m with 3m wide fronds
Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm)
A beautiful little palm with feathery fronds, it is a great palm for pots and sunny spots as well as positions that are coastal. Slow growing to 2.5M x 1.5M
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to grow a Nikau Palm, what conditions do they like?
Nikau's naturally grow in moist shaded gullies, where they are protected from wind and sun. Ideally they will do best in a shaded position where the soil is kept moist.
The tips of my Kentia are brown, why is this?
This could be due to lack of water or strong hot winds. Try to keep the soil moist and when planting, place in a position out of wind.
What do I feed my palms with in my garden?
Palms like a well balanced slow release fertiliser. Novatec is great for outdoor palms. Make sure the soil is moist before applying and apply as per the instructions.
Some of the leaves on my Palms are going brown, can I cut them off?
Yes you can, but make sure that you do not cut the center core out as it can cause damage to the tree and potentially kill it. The tree may not be able to absorb enough water and nutrients to survive. Additionally, the cut area can be a point of entry for pests and diseases, which can further harm the tree. It is best to avoid cutting the center of a palm tree.
