A Mexican Blue Palm for a Tropical Garden Touch
The Blue Leaved Brahea Armata Brings a Desert Aspect to all Gardens
Jan 22, 2009
The Brahea armata palm is one of the bluest palms available and to make it easier to remember it is often called the Mexican Blue Palm, Sugar Blue palm and Blue Hesper palm. It is also known by its botanical name - The Erythea Palm. It is native to the Baja California Peninsula and Mexico. However; it is also found in warm climates around the world and given the right conditions it can grow in any climate similar to that found in the warmest parts of the U.K. or U.S. zone 8 type temperatures. To a certain degree it is frost tolerant to about -10 Celsius (15 Fahrenheit) and it is equally at home in cities as it is in dry barren canyons. It does well in tropical Thailand.
Growing a Mexican Blue Palm
The Brahea armata palm is a slow growing shrub/tree but given time it can reach up to 40ft. A height of 10 feet after five years can be expected – it will continue to grow from there but very slowly.
It normally has eight branches on the go at any one time with a solid spike growing up through the center of the plant. With time the lower leaves will die away only to be replaced by new growth from the solid spike which is in fact tightly wound leaves.
Each blue leaf has 25 – 30 smooth edged blades growing in a palmaceous design. The edges are smooth but care should be taken while handling. The mature plant will flower and the inflorescence or flower-head is big and impressive growing high above the crown of the plant. The fruit is edible but caution is advised.
Helpful Hints on Caring for a Mexican Blue Palm
It is possible to grow this palm from seed but it can take some months for germination to take place and bearing in mind the slow growing nature of the Brahea armata palm it is probably best to buy from a garden center. Once the plant has been acquired and to ensure the best results the following points should be noted.
- Grow in full sun. It will not grow in a shady spot.
- Alkaline soil is preferred.
- Ensure good drainage and even though it will tolerate drought it also likes moisture in the formative years requiring less as it gets older.
- Older plants will tolerate frost better then young plants – so in an area where frost is an annual feature it is best to keep young plants in containers which can be brought inside for protection. Anything from four years upwards can be planted out into a permanent sunny position.
- When transplanting from a pot to the open soil it is important to stake the plant to prevent wind-rock. As the plant ages and the lower trunk is cleared of decaying leaves a wigwam/tepee style support is often used.
- Pruning is not necessary but clearing away the lower leaves, leaving the trunk bare is recommended for aesthetic value.
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