Syagrus Romanzoffiana var. "Silver Queen"

The new patented "Silver Queen" variety of Syagrus romanzoffianas easily transplant and grow incredibly fast.  This particular palm, not surprisingly, likes a slightly acid soil at its planting location.  (This acidity must be maintained for best growth!)  The "Silver Queen" can reach a height of over 40' in its native habitat of Brazil. 

Friends, if you have fallen in love with Queen palms (that you might have seen in coastal areas of Southern California, Southern Arizona, or Central and South Florida,) but they freeze in your zone...try a "Silver Queen"!  With hardiness down to a reported "nippy" and rather un-tropical 15 degrees F. (and showing little frond "freeze burn" aftermath), the "Silver Queen" Syagrus romanzoffiana variety can readily extend the "tropical look" into UDSA Hardiness Zones 9 A-B, where regular Queen Palms fairly often succumb to the cold, except possibly with an extraordinarily heavy (and miserable looking!) winter protection.  Ughh!

In my personal opinion, I won't "dress up" a palm with a heavy & very unattractive winter "overcoat" if it is to be the "keystone" of my landscape design.  This truly "kills" the effect that I'm seeking: "that special tropical look!"  With the "Silver Queen's" extended hardiness range, that ugly winter protection will probably be unnecessary for places like the Slidell, LA, Biloxi-Gulfport, MS, Mobile and Fairhope, AL & Pensacola-Ft. Walton Beach, FL areas!!    Result: great new "tropical" landscape design possibilities for the Central Gulf Coast can become a successful reality, in 2004 and beyond!

This is truly "BIG NEWS!" for Gulf Coast palm tree lovers!  Your "Wise Gardener" thanks "faithful" & intrepid TWG reader, Mr. Jeremy Breland, of Mobile, for his recent e-mail alerting me to the "Silver Queens' " existence!   I would not have been able to write this article without his wonderful & essential help!  Thanks, again, Jeremy (and keep true to your quest of petitioning the Mobile Landscaping & Public Works Dept. to plant "Silver Queens on the Port City's major downtown streets and at the revitalized riverfront!")

Note: As is typical with all Syagrus, the "Silver Queens", too, insist on being fed at least 2-3 times during the warm growing season for undeterred growth & root health.  "Frizzle top", a serious condition caused by chronic Manganese deficiencies in palms, can occur if the "Silver Queen" is not given a regular generous diet of essential nutrients.  Manganese and potassium deficiency can be problems.  They should be fertilized with at least 20% Mn, 16% K, and 15% Sulfur (a soil acidifier)   The Texas Garden Center, by the way, stocks a great "special" fertilizer designed for the "Silver Queens'" finicky, exacting, and demanding nutritional "appetites!"  Regardless of the "Silver Queens" nutritional demands, they ARE worth the effort to the true palm lover on the US Gulf Coast!!

Photograph & information is courtesy of: TexasGardenCenter.com!   Please visit their site for purchase information.  We sincerely "thank them!"
 

Paul, The Wise Gardener!