Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm) seeds

Slender, graceful palm with feather-shaped, arching leaves up to 5m long on fully grown trees. Produces large, pendent clusters of tiny yellow flowers followed by oblong, yellow to red fruits on mature plants. Makes an interesting pot plant when young and is very easy to grow from seed.

Needs protection from frost when young - best moved to a greenhouse or cool room indoors in winter. Ideal for conservatories. Mature specimens planted in the garden may need to be wrapped in the winter.

Winner of the Award of Garden Merit.

Hardy Palm (to - 5C)
Flowers: Summer
Height: to 3m
Position: Sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil

Packet of 10 seeds

 

RHS Award of Garden Merit

This plant/cultivar has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit because it has proved to be reliable in appropriate conditions and a good performing plant. For more information on RHS award of Garden Merit plants visit rhs.org.uk/plants

 

  

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GROWING GUIDE

Pre-sowing Treatment: Soak the seeds in warm water for 2 hours before sowing.

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of the year in moist, seed compost, eg John Innes, mixed 50:50 with vermiculite. Seeds can be sown individually in pots, in deep trays, or if space is limited in small bags. Cover seeds with about 5mm of compost. Place containers in a dark place at 20-23C or in a propagator covered with a cloth. Keep compost moist at all times but not wet or the seeds may rot. Palm seeds often make a large root before a shoot so carefully check seeds regularly. When a root appears, pot up individually into 9-11cm pots. Germination can be erratic but should take place in 2-6 months.

Growing Instructions: Grow the seedlings on at a minimum temperature of around 18C reducing this as plants become stronger. When plants are a year old they can be placed outside in summer (at least 10C at night) after a period of hardening off (move plants outdoors during day and back indoors at night for 10 days). Can be planted out in the garden when 3-4 years old but will need to be protected from frost by wrapping with straw and fleece/bubble wrap. Phoenix like well-drained soil and a sunny to partly-shaded position. It is advisable to pick a sheltered spot away from strong winds which may shred the leaves.