Cold hardy palm trees for gardens

30th December, 2022

Palm trees are a popular choice for gardens with an exotic / jungle design, and there are many different varieties to choose from. If you live in a colder climate, like here in the UK, it is important to choose a palm tree that is cold hardy and will be able to withstand the colder temperatures. Here are 5 cold hardy palm trees for gardens:

Trachycarpus fortunei

Also known as the Chusan palm or windmill palm, this single stemmed fan palm tree is native to China and is one of the most popular of the cold hardy palm trees. It can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius and is able to survive typical British winters, and can also tolerate cool, wet summers.

Rhapidophyllum hystrix

This palm tree, also known as the needle palm, is native to the southeastern United States and is one of the most cold hardy palm trees that you can choose for your garden. It can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius. it is multi-stemmed and makes a shrub type of shape when mature, making it perfect for garden borders.

Jubaea chilensis

This palm tree, also known as Chilean wine palm, is native to Chile and is a cold hardy palm tree that can survive harsh winters. It can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius and can grow in areas that are 8a and above. This means that it can survive in most parts of the UK, except the most cold areas, and will grow especially well in milder coastal areas. When mature this type of palm is one of the largest and is renowned for its thick trunk.

Washingtonia filifera

This palm tree, also known as the American cotton palm or desert fan palm, is native to the southwestern United States and it can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius making it perfect for jungle style gardens, without the tropical weather! It can survive in hardiness zone 8, which covers much of Britain. Fully mature trees can eventually grow to over 15 metres tall.

Chamaerops humilis

This palm tree, also known as the European fan palm or Mediterranean dwarf palm, is native to the Mediterranean region. It can withstand temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius. It is slow growing, making it ideal for small gardens.