Phoenix dactylifera

Phoenix dactylifera (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13

Family: Arecaceae

Phoenix dactylifera is an evergreen palm tree. Its mid green leaves are up to 8m long,  pinnate with up to 150 leaflets with spines on its petioles. Its leaflets are up to 30cm long and 2cm broad. Its trunk mat achieve a diameter of up to 30cm. Its bark is light grey/ brown with leaf bases persisting. Its dioecious yellow flowers are small, are produced on an inflorescence which is up to 1.2m long and are wind pollinated. Its red / brown fruit is a drupe, up to 7cm long 3cm in diameter and is commonly known as the date.

Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as the Date Palm, is likely to be native to Iraq. Phoenix dactylifera has been in cultivation for around 8,000 years for its sweet fruit.

The etymological root of the binomial name Phoenix is the old Greek name for this Palm, used by Theophrastus. Dactylifera is derived from the Greek dáktulos meaning ‘finger’ (in reference to the shape of the fruit) and foros ‘to bear’.

The landscape architect may find Phoenix dactylifera useful as a specimen tree, it looks particularly attractive when planted as an avenue. This tree requires low atmospheric humidity and an adequate supply of water to its roots.

Phoenix dactylifera Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Phoenix dactylifera fruit are attractive to birds and mammals.

Phoenix dactylifera prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Phoenix dactylifera requires little maintenance.

Phoenix roebelenii

Phoenix roebelenii (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 10b, 11, 12

Family: Arecaceae

Phoenix roebelenii is a small growing evergreen palm tree. Its mid green leaves are up to 1.2m long,  pinnate with up to 100 leaflets. Its leaflets are up to 25cm long and 1cm broad. Its trunk mat achieve a diameter of up to 20cm. Its bark is light grey/ brown with leaf bases persisting. Its dioecious yellow flowers are small and are produced on an inflorescence which is up to 45cm long. Its dark brown fruit is a drupe, up to 1cm across and edible.

Phoenix roebeleni, commonly known as the Pygmy Date Palm, Dwarf Date Palm or Miniature Date Palm, is native to north Vietnam and Laos. In its native habitat it grows below the rainforest canopy.

The etymological root of the binomial name Phoenix is the old Greek name for the date palm, used by Theophrastus. Roebeleni is named after Carl Roebelen (1855 – 1927), a German botanist.

The landscape architect may find Phoenix roebeleni useful as a small attractive palm. Once established this palm is moderately drought tolerant. In the UK this plant will only overwinter reliably under glass.

Phoenix roebelenii Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Phoenix roebeleni fruit are attractive to some mammal and bird species.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Phoenix roebeleni their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Phoenix roebeleni prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Phoenix roebeleni requires little maintenance.

Pinus radiata

Pinus radiata (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Pinaceae

Pinus radiata is a fast growing evergreen coniferous tree with a broad rounded crown. Its bright green leaves are in the form of needles, appear in groups of three, up to 15cm long and has a blunt tip. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 90cm. Its grey/ red/ brown bark is fissured and deeply furrowed. Its monoecious flowers are in the form of ellipsoid pollen cones and are up to 15mm long, the male are orange/ brown, the female purple. Its fruit are brown cones, are up to 17cm long when mature.

Pinus radiata Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Pinus radiata, commonly known as Monterey Pine, Insignis Pine or Radiata Pine, is native to coastal regions of California. In its native habitat this tree is classified as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Despite this, this tree is the most widely planted Pine in the world.

The etymological root of the binomial name Pinus is the old classical name for ‘Pine tree’. Radiata is derived from the Latin radiatus meaning ‘rayed’.

The landscape architect may find Pinus radiata useful as a coniferous tree for coastal maritime locations. Once established this tree is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Pinus radiata the seeds of this tree are attractive to some birds.

Pinus radiata Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Pinus radiata their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Pinus radiata prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.

Pinus radiata requires little maintenance.

Landscape Architecture