Palms in Scandinavia

Palms in Scandinavia? Most people cannot believe that it is possible, to a certain degree, to grow palms outdoor in the most favourable areas of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The number of candidates is rather limited. Some of them are easy to grow (Trachycarpus, Chamaerops...), while others demand a more precise and strategic gardening (Jubaea chilensis, Phoenix canariensis...).

The interest for exotic plants, like palms, is increasing in Scandinavia. The growing interest is a result of that more and more people discover that the mild winters, in the coastal areas, makes it possible to grow exotic plants like palm trees. Scandinavia has a much milder climate than other areas at the same latitude, because of the warm water of the Gulf Stream. The very mildest areas (the coast of Sunnmøre) can actually be classed up to USDA zone 9A, which is mild enough for numerous palms and other exotic plants.

Some of the palms on these webpages, will in the coldest periods of the winter need some sort of protection. In the mildest areas it will probably be enough to cover the ground beneath the palm.

     7 advises about growing palms in Scandinavia:

·         Do not plant to late in season; palms need the spring and the summer to fasten properly in the ground.

·         Plant as large palms as possible, they are hardier than the small ones.

·         Give the palm a well drained, sun exposed and sheltered environment to grow in.

·         Fertilize the palm; it strengthens both growth and hardiness.

·         Do whatever you can to improve the microclimate (dark stones, walls...)

·         Be patient, palms grow slow this fare north.

  Introductionary video

  Check out the photogallery that contains hundreds of photos from scandinavian gardens.

  Let yourself be inspired!

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NEWS:

02.04.10

New photos from Ålesund 2009 and Ålesund 2010

09.01.10

New photos from the island Vassøy outside Stavanger, Norway

08.01.10

New photos from Ålesund

01.07.09

New photos from Ålesund

05.03.09

New photos from Ålesund

20.01.09

New photos from the year 2008 have been added to the photo gallery from Vassøy, Norway

23.11.08

New photos from Ålesund

30.09.08

New and exotics photos from Stord are to be found in the gallery

28.09.08

General adjustments

11.08.08

New exotic summer photos added to the gallery of Silkeborg

and the page about palm seeds has been updated

10.08.08

New photos from Ålesund - check out how the summer growth

07.08.08

The photo galleries for Phoenix, Washingtonia and Chamaerops have been updated

and some banana photos from a private garden in Stavanger have been uploaded.

30.07.08

The page about outplanting has been updated

19.07.08

New exotic photogallery from Århus in Denmark

14.07.08

The photo galleries for Phoenix and Washingtonia have been updated

30.06.08

New photos of the palms in Kristianstad, Sweden

25.06.08

New photos from Ålesund - now Butia capitata and Washingtonia on 62,5 degrees north!

25.06.08

The photogallery has been updated with lots of new photos from Lyngby, Copenhagen and Silkeborg

24.06.08

The photogallery has been updated with a map showing the different locations

17.06.08

New photos from Eivind Sel's exotic garden in Jørpeland

14.06.08

New photogallery from the island Vassøy outside Stavanger, Norway

13.06.08

New page about the palm Serenoa repens <<<NEW PALM!

11.06.08

New photos from Eivind Sel's exotic garden in Jørpeland

10.06.08

Many new and very impressive photos from Tony Pedersen in Bergen.

09.06.08

Discussion forum!

Forum

08.06.08

Updates:

Reorganized links section and a new page about the palm Nannorrhops ritchiana <<<NEW PALM!

03.06.08

Updates:

Ålesund and the introductionary video + a new page about palm seeds