Offered by most nurseries 3 in a tub, this lovely tree is often found indoors, malls and other commercial areas and valued for their limited height. However, for that same reason they also look wonderful, grown in mini-orchards, in the front corners of lawns. They look wonderful shading a patio or mixed with an evergreen shrub hedge. The crown is a dense growth of bright green “pinnate” leaves that reach about 4 feet in length and arch in a graceful curve.
This beautiful little tree is popular in areas where it is hardy and the cream-colored flowers are followed by small black dates (if you have the female of the species). Natives of Southeast Asia—Thailand and Burma—the date palm seems ready to grow most anywhere, including Orlando. You’ll need to be careful in where and how their placed; they have a sharp leaf spine that can result in puncture wounds that will get infected. It may be the best idea to keep them in pots, out of the way, until the crown reaches 7 feet.
