Brahea armata (Mexican Blue Palm)

Grown for its striking foliage color, Brahea armata (Mexican Blue Palm) is an erect palm adorned with a thick solitary trunk covered by fibrous leaf bases and topped by a crown of gorgeous, blue-green, fan-shaped fronds, 5 ft. long (150 cm). The fronds are divided into as many as 20 to 40 lobes and attached to 3 ft. long (90 cm) petioles armed with teeth. In the summer, showy garlands, 15 ft. long (450 cm), of creamy-yellow flowers are borne on impressive stalks that rise up and arch down from the crown. They give way to ravishing braids of rounded, golden yellow fruits, 1 in. long (2 cm), that fade to black. Brahea armata is a relatively slow grower and starts blooming at about 20 years of age. Extremely resistant to sun and drought but also to strong winds, it is quite cold-hardy and can survive short periods at 18ºF (-8ºC). A strong and dramatic statement in the landscape.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows with an upright habit up to 20-40 ft. tall (6-12 m) and 12-25 ft. wide (3-8 m).
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor, dry soil. Needs little irrigation once established but looks better with occasional summer watering. Drought tolerant.
• No pruning is required.
• No serious disease or pest issues. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mites and scale insects.
• Propagated by seeds that germinate between 1 and 4 months at high temperatures (73-80°F or 23-27°C).
• Native to rocky canyons of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico.