Monthly Archives: Saturday January 9th, 2010

Natural Palm Honey was our best seller in 2009

Canarius | Saturday January 9th, 2010 |
Leave a reply

Palm Honey is not bee-honey. It the syrup obtained from the sap of the native Canarian palm (Phoenix canariensis). As Canarius.com started to work online, this unique product soon became the best-seller of the shop. This is because our website is visited both by plant-lovers and by people interested in the Canarian foods and cuisine. We plan to improve our offer in 2010 by adding new types and sizes of Palm Honey.

A best seller in Canarius.com

Palm Honey is typical from the island of La Gomera and can be used in many ways. It is darker than typical bee-honey, less dense and richer in vitamines. The unique aroma is reminiscent of maple syrup. About 10 liters of fresh palm sap are needed to produce one liter of this sought after product. Sap extraction is done manually by climbing tall palms one by one, processing is done in small and clean official factories, without artificial ingredients. So, it is relatively expensive if compared to bee honey, even on the local market. It is collected in a sustainable way as the native palm is not killed when the honey is extracted. Just as bee honey it is used as a sweetener for tea and other hot drinks. It is often spread on fresh cheese or traditional desserts, such as Leche Asada, Frangollo, Quesillo, or as a topping for Banana Flambe. It is mixed with the Canarian roasted flour called “gofio” and served as a delicious dessert. Some Canarian restaurants use it as a topping for salads and meat. CANARIUS offers different types of Gofio and  Frangollo, which can be combined with Palm Honey. You can also buy living plants of Phoenix canariensis, the palm species that is used to make this unique “honey”. It is native to the Canary Islands but it is resistant to moderate frosts and grows as a fine ornamental palm.

LIST OF CYCADS IN THE CITES APPENDIX I

Canarius | Thursday January 7th, 2010 |
2 Replies
Ceratozamia hildae, is in CITES appendix I

Ceratozamia hildae

These Cycad species are protected by law because they are endangered by the illegal trade. “CITES I” is the highest degree of protection. Some of them are available in our shop, all from legal trade, reproduced in artificial conditions.

List of Cycad species in the cites appendix I

  • CYCAS BEDDOMEI (CYCADACEAE)
  • MICROCYCAS CALOCOMA (ZAMIACEAE)
  • STANGERIA ERIOPUS (STANGERIACEAE)
  • CHIGUA (ZAMIACEAE): ALL SPECIES
    • Chigua bernalii – Chigua restrepoi
  • CERATOZAMIA (ZAMIACEAE): ALL SPECIES
    • Ceratozamia alvarezii – Ceratozamia hildae – Ceratozamia kuesteriana – Ceratozamia latifolia – Ceratozamia matudae – Ceratozamia mexicana
    • Ceratozamia microstrobila – Ceratozamia miqueliana – Ceratozamia mixeorum – Ceratozamia morettii – Ceratozamia norstogii – Ceratozamia robusta -Ceratozamia sabatoi – Ceratozamia whitelockiana – Ceratozamia zaragozae
  • ENCEPHALARTOS (ZAMIACEAE): ALL SPECIES
    • Encephalartos aemulans – Encephalartos altensteinii – Encephalartos aplanatus – Encephalartos arenarius – Encephalartos barteri – Encephalartos brevifoliolatus – Encephalartos bubalinus – Encephalartos caffer – Encephalartos cerinus – Encephalartos chimanimaniensis – Encephalartos concinnus – Encephalartos cupidus – Encephalartos cycadifolius – Encephalartos delucanus – Encephalartos dolomiticus – Encephalartos dyerianus – Encephalartos equatorialis – Encephalartos eugene-maraisii – Encephalartos ferox – Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi – Encephalartos ghellinckii – Encephalartos gratus – Encephalartos heenanii – Encephalartos hildebrandtii – Encephalartos hirsutus – Encephalartos horridus – Encephalartos humilis – Encephalartos inopinus – Encephalartos ituriensis – Encephalartos kisambo – Encephalartos laevifolius – Encephalartos lanatus – Encephalartos latifrons – Encephalartos laurentianus – Encephalartos lebomboensis – Encephalartos lehmannii – Encephalartos longifolius – Encephalartos mackenziei – Encephalartos macrostrobilus – Encephalartos manikensis – Encephalartos marunguensis – Encephalartos middelburgensis – Encephalartos msinganus – Encephalartos munchii – Encephalartos natalensis – Encephalartos ngoyanus – Encephalartos nubimontanus – Encephalartos paucidentatus – Encephalartos poggei – Encephalartos princeps – Encephalartos pterogonus – Encephalartos schaijesii – Encephalartos schmitzii – Encephalartos sclavoi – Encephalartos senticosus – Encephalartos septentrionalis – Encephalartos tegulaneus – Encephalartos transvenosus – Encephalartos trispinosus – Encephalartos turneri – Encephalartos umbeluziensis – Encephalartos villosus – Encephalartos whitelockii – Encephalartos woodii

Palmetum de Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Video Clip January 2009

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
2 Replies

The Palmetum de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the best botanical garden to see palms in Europe, with 470 species of palms. This fine video shows beautiful sceneries with piano music.

List of species shown in the video

  • 0:14 Sección/Section: Madagascar (Con el lago delante/with the pond in the foreground)
  • 0:20 Dypsis leptocheilos (Grupos/Clumps), Bismarckia nobilis (detrás/behind)
  • 0:23 Sección/Section: America Central. Sabal palmetto.
  • 0:27 Dypsis leptocheilos, Bismarckia nobilis
  • 0:37 Océano atlántico/Atlantic ocean, Araucaria columnaris
  • 0:43 Araucaria columnaris
  • 0:46 Dypsis leptocheilos. D. madagascariens detrás/behind
  • 0:49 Dypsis leptocheilos, Capitel/Crownshaft
  • 0:52 Ravenea rivularis derecha/left. Acoelorraphe wrightii detrás/behind
  • 0:57 Hyophorbe verschaffeltii. Bismarckia nobilis detrás/behind
  • 1:01 Cocos nucifera. Vistas al oceano en el Talud Sur/Ocean view on the Southern slopes.
  • 1:05 Latania loddigesii, con frutos/in fruit.
  • 1:11 Dypsis lutescens (izq./left), Arenga westerhoutii (dcha/right).
  • 1:16 Section: Australia. Center: Livistona decora. Sides: Howea forsteriana. Back: Wodyetia bifurcata
  • 1:26 Section: Caribbean islands. Roystonea regia. Copernicia baileyana (dcha/right).
  • 1:31 Riachuelo en la sección caribeña/Stream in the Caribbean section. Acoelorraphe (izq./left). Other palms (dcha/right).
  • 1:35 Roystonea lenis (izq./left), R.regia (izq./left) (dcha/right).
  • 1:38 Panoramica con palmeras/Landscape with palms. Roystonea regia (tall, center)
  • 1:41 Dypsis decaryi
  • 1:52 Corypha utan
  • 1:56 Copernicia baileyana (Hojas palmeadas/fan leaves), Roystonea regia arriba/above.
  • 2:00 Livistona australis
  • 2:04 Bentickia nicobarica (Hoja/Leaf) and Veitchia joannis (Fruits)
  • 2:08 Sección del Caribe/Caribbean section.
  • 2:13 Copernicia baileyana
  • 2:16 Acrocomia crispa
  • 2:28 Sabal palmetto (Centro/Center), tronco/trunk
  • 2:35 Arenga pinnata (tronco/trunk)
  • 2:38 Arenga pinnata (Centro/Center), Veitchia.
  • 2:44 Hemithrinax ekmaniana (esquina abajo izq./corner below left)
  • 2:47 Section: Indochina. Arenga pinnata, Arenga engleri, Arenga tremula.
  • 2:50 Hemithrinax ekmaniana
  • 2:53 Roystonea regia (trunk) and other Caribbean palm species.
  • 2:56 Sección del Caribe/Caribbean Section. Roystonea regia (altas/tall). Coccothrinax spp..
  • PIC1: En el Octógono (Invernadero de Sombra) / Inside the octagon (Shadehouse)
  • PIC2:Dypsis lutescens, Bismarckia nobilis, Howea forsteriana
  • PIC3: Cocos nucifera
  • PIC4: Southern Slope: Cocos nucifera, Latania loddigesii, Hyophorbe verschaffeltii, Araucaria columnaris
  • PIC5: Bismarckia nobilis, gris azul / grey blue
  • PIC6: Ladera Sur / Southern Slope: Cocos nucifera, Latania loddigesii, Hyophorbe verschaffeltii.
  • PIC7: Ladera Sur / Southern Slope: tapizantes suculentos / succulent groundcovers.  Araucaria columnaris.

CITES Species

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
Leave a reply

C.I.T.E.S. is the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”; an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Living pandas, elephant tusks and rare orchids are all under this shield with many more species. Widespread information nowadays about the endangered status of many prominent species, such as the tiger and elephants, might make the need for such a convention seem obvious. But at the time when the ideas for CITES were first formed, in the 1960s, international discussion of the regulation of wildlife trade for conservation purposes was something relatively new. Many years have passed and illegal trade goes on. Europe has a flourishing black market and sudden inspections of producers, traders and collectors increased. The list of protected species is regularly revised every few years and you can find the latest on the CITES page of your government.

Encephalartos arenarius

Encephalartos arenarius is one of the many cycads protected by CITES I

Canarius at times offers plant species protected by CITES, in our sections of Cycads and Succulent Plants. These are all legal specimens, reproduced sustainably, with official papers available.

Our Nurseries

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
Leave a reply

Our plants are produced in certified nurseries located on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. We enjoy an even subtropical climate, where nurseries are not heated and the use of chemicals is kept to a minimum. Cacti and succulents are chiefly grown in full sun, while other plants are produced under shade cloths. The winter in the Canary Islands is much cooler than in the tropics, so we can grow robust plants, better adapted to  live  in Northern latitudes.

Agave shoji-rajin

Agave shoji-rajin grown in clean volcanic cinder

  • We sprout our seeds and we root our cuttings. We don’t import and re-sell plants. Our plants have no stress from a past importation from a remote county with a different climate.
  • We are not in a tropical climate.  Plants like cacti and cycads will stop in winter and grow in the right way thanks to this rest.
  • We use no greenhouses, except for seed sprouting and rooting.
  • Our plants are grown from cultivated stock, never collected in habitat.
  • Propagating material are obtained from reliable sources, chiefly from a number of mother plants existing on the island.
  • Our Fruit trees belong to selected cultivars and most of them are hand-grafted trees, one by one over the stronger rootstocks.
  • Our plants are all LEGAL. Protected species are started from seeds with official CITES papers.
Grafting mango trees of different varieties

Grafting mango trees of different varieties

What to do when you get the box?

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
3 Replies

You bought some unique plants from Canarius. The box took some days to reach you and all plants now need attention. Some are potted, some are bare rooted.

Here is a list of tips you might want to follow when you get your package, in order to give them the right care.

1) Unpack the box

Plants should be unpacked as soon as possible. Carefully unfold all wrappings. Some are potted, some are bare-root and different species can be differently wrapped. Be sure to keep each plant with its label. Please recycle the packing material and the box.

2) Expose them to light

Mangifera indica

Mango trees in tall pots

Put all plants standing upright and expose them to light. Avoid direct sunlight for a few days, because they have been in total darkness for a while. Potted plants will often need some water. Bromeliads will need some water within the funnel. Consider where to place your plants: if it is spring or summer, outdoor conditions will be the best. During the colder months, the house, greenhouse or conservatory might be a better choice.

3) Planting and transplanting to pots or larger pots

- POTTED PLANTS -

Archontophoenix cunningamiana

Young potted Archontophoenix palm

Our palms, cycads, yuccas, fruit trees and others are grown in small pots to reduce shipping costs and handling problems. You will need to transplant them to larger pots shortly after you receive the package, within a few weeks. You will often need to double the original pot size. A palm received in a 12 cm pot needs a 24 cm pot, etc. Canarius will ship only the strongest seedlings, with strong roots ready to occupy new soil. Most species will enjoy a layer of bottom drainage. Some of our plants are large enough to be planted directly in the ground, if your climate is good for them. This is the case of larger palms and cycads, and most of out fruit trees, which are grown in tall pots.

- BARE ROOT PLANTS -

Bare root Cacti and Succulents

Echinopsis aurea

Echinopsis aurea on the packing desk

There is no rush to plant them. Most succulent plants can wait for weeks or even months, bare-rooted, until weather warms up. Planting should be done when temperatures are warm enough. Pot size suggested is usually 1,5 times the size of the plant. Succulents should not be watered until 3 or more days after planting. If you are going to plant out hardy species in the garden, chose spring or early summer, so they will have a long growing season ahead.

Bare root Bromeliads and Heliconias

Aechmea nudicaulis

Bare root bromeliad pups ready for packing

They need to be planted as soon as possible. Bromeliads are shipped as bare root pups. Pups should be planted by lightly burying the base in the pot just 1-3 cm. Pups are often heavy and sometimes will need to be staked in order to stay in place and permit rooting. The center of each plant (funnel) must be filled with water.

Heliconias are sent as rhizomes. They are large, field-grown rhizomeswith at least two active growing points. Plant them out in large, shallow pots with good drainage, about 30 cm wide, or directly in the garden.

4) Planting outdoors in the garden: Tropical plants and cold winters

If you are growing tropical plants in northern climates, please be careful. Young plants are often less resistant to cold than adults. An adult hardy plant can take -20 C, but a young plant of the same variety should not stay outdoors in January during a storm. If you are purchasing young plants that are “marginal” in your climate, protect them in winter during a few years. Even if you are going to plant out fully hardy species in the garden, chose spring or early summer, so they will have a long growing season ahead.

5) Learn more about their needs, write back and enjoy

Be prepared to give them the best. Learn as much as you can about the plants you purchased. Different growers suggest different growing conditions. Some people prefer clay or plastic pots, different soil mixes Some of them can take snow, some can live indoors or in pots, and some are very tropical and tender and do need a greenhouse. Canarius offers a blog with abundant information. Check our pages about Tropical Gardening up North . Browse plant-related websites to find more information about the plants you are growing.

Plants are living beings – be responsible.

Ravenala madagascariensis

Many Ravenala plants ready to be shipped

Mediterranean Climate

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
4 Replies

Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. This climate is found in the Mediterranean Basin, as well as in SW California, SW Australia, SW South Africa and Central Chile. All share the same rainfall pattern with a peak in the cooler season.

The Mediterranean Basin, between Southern Europe and Northern Africa is surely the best example of a typical mediterranean climate. There is a big termical difference between the North and the South. Northern latitudes are much cooler. Southern France is the Northernmost extension of the Mediterranean. It is not as hot as other areas but there is a very good climate, because of the protection of the Alps, that block the cold fronts from the North and keeps the cimate very Mediterranean. In the lower latitudes, on the Northern African coast, winters are much shorter and sunnier while frost is absent or very uncommon.

Exotic Gardens and Crops in Mediterranean Climates

Many subtropical species grow outdoors with minimal effort in coastal gardens of Mediterranean countries, in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. More than 50 palm species can take regular light frosts, exotic flowers such as Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) and many Cycad species. Hundred of species of Cacti and Succulents can grow and bloom as long as they are kept dry in winter. Palm-like desert plants, such as Yucca and Dasylirion, thrive to perfection. Some tropical fruit trees can produce outdoors, such as avocado (Persea) and Feijoa sellowiana. Occasional frosts limit the spread of tropical horticulture in the Northern side of the Mediterranean Basin.

Aloe arborescens

Aloes from South Africa are used as garden plants in Mediterranean Climates

A warmer Mediterranean climate is found in the Southern Mediterranean, where winters are shorter and sunnier and frosts seldom occur. Some writers state these are Subtropical climates. Even some fully tropical species can grow in the better, warmer spots of Southern Spain and Portugal, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia and Sicily, the Greek Islands and the whole coast of Northern Africa have eccelent climates to grow exotics. Tropical fruits grow freely, as Mango, Annona and Avocado are produced commercially in various regions.

Persea Hass Cut

Avocado fruits regularly in many coastal areas

An impressive number of Palms and Cycads is kept by collectors. Many tropical flowers will winter outdoors. Bromeliads and Plumeria hybrids can be used freely as garden plants and Plumeria is the official flower of the city of Palermo, in Sicily. In lower latitudes, Cacti and Succulents are simply part of the landscape. Different species of Agave, mostly from Mexico, grow wild on the hillsides of Mediterranean Europe and Aloes flourish in pots and gardens. Large specimens will often enhance the garden of the villa, in the ground or in large pots. Southern Spain and Portugal are even sunnier, almost as Northern Africa so Cuban Royal Palms (Roystonea regia) and Royal Poincianas (Delonix regia) thrive in many coastal location, papayas will fruit with little effort.

Agave attenuata

Mexican Agaves thrive in Mediterranean Climates. These Agave attenuata are grown in Tenerife as ornamental plants.

Tropical Climate

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
1 Reply

Tropical climate is often used in a generic sense for any place that is warm to hot and moist year-round, often with the sense of lush vegetation. However, there are places in the tropics that are much different. Mountains are often cooler and the highest peaks are often snow-capped. Large regions are deserts and semideserts, with abundant heat and minimal rainfall. To be precise, Tropical is any climate within the tropics, located at approximately 23° N latitude (Tropic of Cancer), and 23° S (Tropic of Capricorn).

Cocos nucifera in the Palmetum in Tenerife

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is a symbol of the tropics.

Tropical plants from lowland rainforests will hardly survive outdoors anywhere in Europe. On the other hand, plants from higher elevation or drier environments will be easier to grow. Plants from the higher, cooler, tropics will need less heat to grow. 20-25 C (68-77 F) will be enough to push new growth on most plants, while plants from the tropical lowlands will need 27-32 C (81-91 F) to resume active growth. High elevations always have cooler nights and higher peaks might experience short freezes. Plants from the mountain tropics make excellent plants for the conservatory. Canarius offers a wide selection of high elevation palms, bromeliads, cycads and Pandanus. Plants from tropical deserts and semideserts can be grown in Europe if they are induced to rest during the long and dark winter months. It is possible to grow cacti anywhere as long as they are kept dry and at a mild temperature above freezing. Shop our store to find Cacti and Succulents, as well as many palm-like species from dry areas, such as Yucca and Dasylirion.

Cold-Resistant Palms for Europe

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
Leave a reply

Some palms can take frost and snow. Some grow very well in central Europe. The palm family includes about 2.400 species, mostly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Most species need warm temperatures but few exceptions occur in the cooler areas of the globe, at higher altitudes or higher latitudes. Hardy palms come from Chile, New Zealand, Morocco, Northern Mexico or China.

Copernicia alba from Argentina is moderately hardy, to about - 8 C

Copernicia alba from Argentina is moderately hardy, to about – 8 C

Most hardy palms bear palmate (fan-shaped) leaves. Fewer have pinnate leaves, and the hardiest are Jubaea and Butia. Most are solitary (single trunked) palms, some are clumping. Collectors will love the frost-hardy genus Butia with about 14 species, and Trachycarpus with nine species and a number of forms and varieties.If you are in a cold area, you might be restricted to use less than ten palm species. Just learn all you can about them and use them well in your landscape. After all, the average tropical garden has less than ten palm species! Plant palms in groups, in lines, in large pots, on the slope, by the pond. Just chose your palm species and enjoy the tropical effect in your garden.Hardiness is given for adult palms. Young plants are often less resistant to cold. If you are purchasing young palms, give them some protection in winter during a few years. Grow well your palms. In northern climates most palms will benefit of exposure to full sun and protection from northerly winds. Check our tips to grow Tropical plants in Cold Europe.

Canarius offers many species able to resist snow and frost.Come and visit the Palm Section of our Shop. We ship to anywhere in Europe.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Growing Tropical Plants in Cold Europe – Tips

Canarius | Tuesday January 5th, 2010 |
1 Reply

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

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.

    Echinocereus enneacanthus sarissophorus

    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

    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.