It is the symbol of Mediterranean life and a real must-have for every garden owner on Mallorca.
However, there are several types of palm trees to choose from here.
Palm trees belong to Mallorca like the sea belongs to the beach. Last but not least, the island's capital itself is adorned with the name of this plant, which is widespread in southern Europe. But not all palm trees are the same, of course. There are around 2,500 species worldwide. Here is an overview of the most popular species on Mallorca.
Phoenix CanariensisThe Canary Island date palm is perhaps one of the most spectacular species on the island. It has a thick trunk and a huge head, but grows very slowly.
Yucca Elephantipes
This plant is not actually a palm tree at all, but an asparagus plant. In a good location, it grows almost like a weed. Its leaf tips are often as sharp as knives.
Coco Plumosa
This coconut palm gives you that real Caribbean feeling. It is relatively inexpensive, but does not bear fruit (coconuts) despite its name.
Chamaerops humilis
The blue dwarf palm is a very rare species, its leaves shimmer bluish. This palm is relatively easy to care for and is not susceptible to pests.
Washingtonia Robusta
This palm tree is the most common on Mallorca. Reason: It is inexpensive, easy to care for and grows relatively quickly. It is also relatively resistant to pests.
Washingtonia Filifera
The noble sister of the Robusta. It also has a thicker stem, darker leaves and grows more slowly. Relatively expensive to buy.
Care of palm fronds
All palm trees have a cone of vegetation at the end of the shoot, the palm heart. It constantly sprouts new leaves - the so-called fronds. These cover the upper section of the stem and gradually dry out in the lower section of the leaf crown until they finally detach from the shoot and fall to the ground. For this reason, the leaves should be cut off at the base at least once a year by specialist gardeners using sharp axes or machetes while they are still half-wilted. Incidentally, if the heart of the palm is removed or destroyed, the entire plant will die; no new shoots will grow from older parts of the trunk.
All the palm plants listed above are available as potted plants as well as more mature specimens in almost every size on Mallorca. Always seek advice from a specialist when making your choice.
Jardins de TramuntanaTel. +34 971 61 06 02
www.jardinstramuntana.com
