Brahea armata in flower - Florida
Drought and frost resistant, but dislikes root disturbance.
This palm grows naturally in desert canyons and cliffs on limestone soils in Northwestern Mexico,, and Baja California ,at low to medium altitudes.
The Blue Hesper palm has a crown of rigid leaves which radiate from the trunk top. It is reputed to have the bluest leaves of any palm in the world and can reach 50 ft (15.2 m) in height, and 16 ft (4.9 m) in width. The trunk is slightly swollen at the base and grows up to 1.5 ft (0.5 m) in diameter. If old leaves are not removed, they form a continuous brown skirt all the way to the ground. The petiole is armed with curved thorns, many of which branch into two points.
Growing wild in Baja California
The flower branches are very long standing out from the foliage in quite a distinctive manner, The flower clusters consists of many small whitish bisexual blossoms and is among the most beautiful of palm flowers. The shiny fruit is round and brownish black, about 3/4 in (1.9 cm) in diameter, and contains a single seed.
It succeeds admirably in a wide range of soils in subtropical to cool temperate climates. It can grow in limestone alkaline, and salty soils. These are true desert palms and, once established, can withstand intense heat, drought and considerable frost.
An excellent specimen in Brittany Northern France
Traditionally considered a slow growing palm, it responds very well to moist, not wet, soils and feed. A slow release fertilizer with trace elements may be used to enhance growth.
These palms may bloom at exceptionally early age and young palms have very large, distinctive and colorful leaves. When transplanting, it is prudent to exercise care to minimize damage to the root structure or individual roots.
Some experts recommend 'pot planting' the whole pot to avoid disturbing the sensitive roots, and to minimize transplant shock. Eventually the transplanted palm sends roots out through the holes in the pot and continues to grow.
Sulking Blue Hesper Palm over 10 years old
Yes, finally we come to my Brahea armata, the Blue Hesper Palm. Not looking as good as the ones shown above. Believe it or not this palm is over 10 years old! I think I know what the problem has been though. When it grew so slowly I assumed I was doing something wrong, "it was in the wrong compost"... So I washed all the soil off the roots and put it in a mineral based soil. Having now read up all the info on it, this was a cardinal sin as they hate root disturbance. The result is it has gone into a sulk that a teenager would aspire to.
Seems that many people are growing this palm well, root disturbance is the main problem for these palms, and although they can withstand drought, they grow best when watered in well drained soil. It also seems that a happy palm grows thoughout the winter slowly