Best Palm Trees for Tampa Area Lawns
Hillsborough County is a great place to grow palm trees of all varieties. In the middle of Florida’s west coast, you’ve got access to gorgeous beaches, huge parks, and a tropical paradise. So why not bring home the most tropical plant around? There’s nothing more tropical – Or more Florida – Than the palm tree.
These iconic plants are an inseparable part of the Florida identity, and they thrive here. Hillsborough County is a great place to grow them as it has full access to sunlight and a lot of humidity. As a result, it’s the perfect place for palm trees. The area is so good for palm trees that they’ve become an iconic part of it.
But with over 2500 species of palm trees to choose from, how do you know which one is best for your yard? The good news is almost all of them would be a good pick.
How to Choose a Palm Tree
Most of Hillsborough County is USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, making it pretty warm. Our winters usually don’t get below 25 degrees, and our summers are hot and humid. That said, some palm trees still need more heat than Florida offers. One of the best things you can do for your palm trees – Especially after this year’s winter – Is to choose from cold-resistant species. Some of the most popular choices in the area are the pindo palm, the saw palmetto, and the sago palm.
Trees most at home in zones 10 and 11 may do okay with help during the winter, but they’ll never be as big and green as they could be down south. So pick a tree that reaches an appropriate height for your property and one that can grow in the space you have available. The amount of sun you have available matters, too. Coconut palms, for example, need more sunlight than lipstick palms. European fan palms are another great example and handle cluster planting just fine. Another consideration is how much attention you can afford your plants.
The buccaneer palm will grow poolside without much interference at all, even enduring droughts. As long as it has full sun, that is. By comparison, the lady palm needs more maintenance, requiring you to fertilize the soil regularly.
How to Landscape with Palm Trees
Palms can lend their iconic look to just about any setup, but some help them shine. Small clusters of broader palms give the appearance of a natural palm grove, making your garden feel more tropical. Sugar cane and Christmas palms work great for this idea. You can install vibrant, colorful palms like the Mexican blue or flamethrower palm for splashes of character. Smaller palm trees also work great as a garden centerpiece. Taller palms like Sylvester and coconut palm trees can be used like decorative pillars. Planting two palm trees on either side of a path or feature makes for a striking, dramatic, and inviting look.
Ultimately, how you use your palm depends on what kind of palm you select. Likewise, the kind of palm you select depends on what you can care for. If you don’t know what variety would best suit your garden, give us a call. We can help your palm trees thrive and even protect them from pests.
