Timber Press Pocket Guide to Palms

About this book

Given their diversity and versatility it is surprising that palms are underutilized in landscapes and gardens even in tropical climes. Several reasons account for this including misconceptions about the plants growing requirements and unfamiliarity with their ornamental qualities. This pocket guide remedies both problems. It unlocks the keys to successfully growing 200 of the most common and easily obtainable palm species and hybrids and it highlights botanical characteristics that are of interest to gardeners and landscapers. Each description includes details of trunk crownshaft leaf flower and fruit to assist in plant identification and selection. The extensive cultivation notes include details of mature tree size cold hardiness and light soil and water requirements. Suggestions for using the plants indoors and out will help even novice gardeners know where to start and succinct information on seed germination will assist anyone who wants to grow palms from seed. Illustrated with more than 300 color photographs.