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The Best Palm Trees for Florida Landscaping

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The Best Palm Trees for Florida Landscaping

If you are starting a landscaping project around your home, it is important to do your research. Florida is synonymous with tropical landscapes, so if you want your home to fit right in, palm trees are often a ‘go to’ Florida landscape mainstay. However, if you want to go the extra mile, you should pay close attention to the palm trees that you plant, since the sizes, height, leaf color and shape can differ greatly from one palm tree to another. Before you start planting, here are a few things that you should know about the different species of palm trees and how they can best complement your home.

Matching Palm Trees with Planting Location and Conditions

The first thing to do is factor in the conditions of the where you’re planning to plant the palm tree. There are some basic questions to determine the right palm tree for the right location, like:

  1. How much sun does the area around your residence receive?
  2. Is the spot that you are considering near your swimming pool or will the palm tree be planted next to a walkway?
  3. What kind of maintenance will be required for the palm trees upkeep? For instance, how much watering is required or how much pruning must be done?

Whatever the case or situation, your decision should be made based on a number of different factors, including considering the character of nearby buildings or your home. Even the architecture in the area helps to determine what type of palm tree should be planted. This is especially true if you are planning the landscape for formal architecture. When the landscaping involves a more informal architecture, you may want to look for palm trees that lend itself to a Spanish Style residence or a modern abode.

Different Types of Palm Trees Thrive in Shaded Areas

In addition to location type, you should also consider shade requirements. If your home does not get a lot of sunlight, look for the best palm trees for shade. Some specific palm trees like the Rhapis (Lady Palm), Red Sealing Wax Palm, or the Parlor Palm all like the shade. For example, if you look at the Parlor Palm, you will find that it thrives best indoors and in shaded landscapes.

Best Show-Stopper Palm Trees

For a real showpiece of a palm tree, there are three that we typically recommend: the Royal Palm, Adonidia Palm, and the Foxtail Palm. All three are beautiful palm trees that will enhance or be a focal point in your landscape and, even better, they don’t’ require pruning dead fronds – they drop off on their own. Royal Palms are the tall palm trees that you typically associate with Florida. You see them lining boulevards and driveways, growing quickly to 80 feet in height. Because of the size, these palms need to be planted a good distance apart, and at least eight feet from your residence. The next size down is the Foxtail Palm, which grows to about 30 feet tall. Foxtails can be grouped or displayed singly. They will be a great focal point for your landscape, with bushy fronds and smooth trunks. Finally, the smallest of the three, is the Adonidia Palm, which reaches a height of about 15 feet tall. The Adonidia Palm looks a lot like the Royal Palm, but can be planted closer together and closer to your home or other structures.

The best trees for Florida landscaping usually differ from one situation and location to the next. So, before you choose a specific type of palm tree, factor in the location, its maintenance and the aesthetics surrounding the area.

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