Dwarf Palmetto Tree

If you think palm trees are all about exotic foreign locations, think again. America has its own palms and the most cold-hardy is the Dwarf Palmetto Palm. Its ability to grow happily in zone 7 isn’t the only attraction, though, because this plant is perfect for landscaping, acting like a shrub in filling spaces with its large, fan-shaped leaves, and staying low to the ground. Most of the trunk remains underground, although in time it will produce a whole 3 feet of trunk above ground. Since the leaves are large, and are attached by a long stalk, they can be 6 feet long, so in theory, one day, it could approach 10 feet tall, from leaf-tip to ground. Until that day it is going to be more like 4 to 6 feet tall, so it’s an ideal way to get that ‘palm leaf’ look at eye level. Happy in some shade, it is also great for wet areas, such as round a pond or by water, yet it is also pretty drought resistant once established. As tough a plant as it sounds, it is also handsome, with gorgeous leaves like perfect fans, and older plants flower, producing big sprays of flowers that are white, followed by green berries that turn purple-black when they ripen. These are popular with birds and wildlife, and are also edible, if not delicious.

• Large, fan-shaped leaves held erect
• Short trunk, mostly underground
• Cold tolerant to zone 7
• Happy in wet soil and even in standing water
• Drought tolerant too, once established

Grow the Dwarf Palmetto Palm in full sun or partial shade, in any soil-type, from clay to sand. It is happy in alkaline soils, and in neutral soils down to pH 6.0. It can be grown in ordinary soil, but also grows in wet ground, in areas that are often flooded, and even in standing water. Yet, once well-established, it will tolerate periods of drought well. Deer don’t eat it and it doesn’t have pest or disease issues – and birds love the berries. Remove older leaves as they yellow – otherwise it needs no attention to be a great, exotic addition to your garden.