[davidnugent]

Have you ever been away to the mediterranean and seen those beautifull palm trees and think id love one of those in my garden.Well the truth is you can.Palm trees are hardyer than you think.Trachycarpus Fortunei aka windmill palm is hardy to -20c and is growen all over northern europe.Chamaerops Humilis aka mediterranean fan palm,hardy to -13c.Butia Capitata aka jelly palm hardy to -8c,and the canary island date palm aka phoenix canariensis to -8cThe more mature the palm the hardyer it is.The majority of ireland does not get bellow -8c.If so fleece is requiered to cover the least hardyer ones.they need to be planted in well drained soil,a mix of grit sand and clay,and in a raised bed to improve drainage,make sure to water well during summer months,feed with a slow release fertilizer.Planting in full sun in a sheltered part of your garden will help them grow faster.So there you are, ireland can have its own mediterranean gardens.

[davidnugent]

Here are some pics of palms in ireland,and in my garden.Hopefully in the future there will be more to see in your gardens.

[davidnugent]

Here Are some parks where you can see exotic and mature plants such as palms,bamboo,tree ferns and many more, www.bamboo-park.com www.kellsgardens.ie www.kilravockgardens.com and fota island in cork.

[davidnugent]

Canary Island Date Palm,"phoenix canariensis" just think of the french riviera, and you`ll conjure up a vision of phoenix canariensis.its dramatic stature and wonderfully arching fonds have made it a firm favourite all around the mediterranean,and in the wamer areas of north america.phoenix canariensis`native habitat is the canary islands,where it was once very widely distributed.the trees were extensively cleared by the spanish colonists from the end of the 15th centuary,and the surviving specimens are now protected by law.a slow growing specimen is ideal for a container growing,and lends an exotic look to even the smallest garden or patio,it needs full sun and is hardy in milder costal areas of ireland ,but needs protection from long periods of frost to -8c,exotic and glamorous,the canary island date palm is a real showstopper,the canopy of arching leaves looks sensational in almost any setting.

[davidnugent]

Just letting you know.most garden centers have palm trees in stock at the moment,also B&Q,and other diy stores. ,so if anyone is interested,now is the best time to get them in the ground.

[Lucyloo]

I love the palm trees but my dog hates them, she has destroyed 2 of the canary palm tree's that I bought, and with Lucy it seems the shaper they are the more she attacts them. I think I will have to get some tall pots and purchase a few for the garden though, they are so beautiful in the garden. Thanks David.

[davidnugent]

lucyloo,sorry to here that,,but you can always try again,taller containers might do the job,best of luck

[Lucyloo]

Thanks David, I have great intentions to get some more this year and maybe some banana' plants as well. I have a few fern tree's in tall pots up on the decked area, of the garden and I also have 27 bamboo tree's around the garden. We had started with just 2 bamboo tree's 3 years ago, but last year we dug the 2 up and split them, luckily they have taken, I think the palm trees around the garden would complete the look im after if you know what I mean.

[bubbles]

Does anyone know of a place that sells palm trees further north than cork and kerry? those links were great it'd just be a bit far to travel for me or to have them delievered.
I'd like one of the bigger ones,(but starting off small) i've tried the garden centre on the n3 but they didnt seem to have anything.

Thanks for any help.

[davidnugent]

You can get palm trees in B&Q,or Homebase,In B&Q, you can order a bigger size,some of the garden centers do them here in galway,but there over the top on prices.Trachycarpus Fortunei palm for a seven foot palm can cost from 200euro.these palms are perfect very hardy and would with stand the coldest irish winter with no problem,but dont plant it in a very windy location,you can get a 2 foot trunk one for 25euro and a 4foot trunk for 50euro in B&Q.,Canary island date palms are alot cheaper you can get a six foot palm for 50euro and small one for has little 7euro,this one you need to keep a eye on in the winter..Chamaerops humilis palm,no problem in the wind hardy to -13c,30euro in B&Q,So if your close to a B&Q,and if they dont have them in stock just ask and they will get you one,This is a web site to a exotic garden in howth dublin it showes what hes growing,so it might give you more of an idea if you want to vist and see www.earlscliffe.com So if you want a no problem palm that will look after its self Trachycarpus palms would be your best bet,You can check out pics on google

[bubbles]

thank you so much for all that information, i'm new to gardening.

I'll look into those suggestions.

thanks again.

[davidnugent]

No problem,glad to help.