Revision as of 06:48, 16 July 2014

Bismarckia nobilis is a large, solitary Madagascan palm with immense mildly costapalmate, stiff leaves of either dull green or various shades of waxy blue or grey. It is widely considered one of the most ornamental and majestic palms one can grow in southern California. Green forms of this palm grow rapidly in the tropics, but are rather marginal in most areas of southern California, only managing to grow to adulthood in the most ideal climates (frost-free coastal, or nearly frost free inland low deserts). However, the blue, grey and white forms are much hardier and faster growing in a Mediterranean climate and perform excellently along the coast as well as far inland as the low deserts. Damage to young plants during moderate to severe frosts often results in complete defoliation, but surprisingly many still recover. Plant this one where you want it (remembering it gets enormous) because it is a very hard palm to remove successfully (root trauma often results in the death of the palm). Available from single leaf seedling to large boxes nowadays. Very commonly available, even at large home garden centers sometimes.

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  Bismarckias of various sizes for sale, California

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  Balboa Park trees

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  mature specimen in Palm Desert

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  very rapidly growing grey plant in Ventura county, only 10 years old

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  mature palm in Orange county, California

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  maturing palm in Palm Desert

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  blue form near Vista, California

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  palm in coastal California mountains

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  Los Angeles arboretum

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  green form San Diego Zoo

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  mature, healthy green form in Palm Desert

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  fruiting female in Fallbrook, California

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  struggling green palm in California (eventually died)

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  nice fast growing green palm Thailand

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  green palm in Hawaii

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  another healthy green palm in Hawaii

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  green palms in Hawaii