I often worry that Mandurah’s majestic palms go under-appreciated.
They’re kitschy, sure, but they’re also iconic.
Every time I drive across the Mandurah Traffic Bridge on my way to work, it’s a delight to see their fronds waving overhead the houses, greeting me in the morning.
A recent trip to Los Angeles made me realise just how lucky we are to have such an abundance of these cheerful trees in our own backyards.
Like the Californians, perhaps it is time to embrace, not fell, these 70’s staples.
Let’s give our palms the loving they deserve.
You can use a general fertilizer high in nitrogen on palms, which are surprisingly hungry trees, and be sure to keep them well-watered (with good drainage) to replicate that tropical rain.
From late spring to mid-autumn feed them about once every three months to maintain a green sheen.
Plants in pots will require more regular fertilizing than ones in the ground, as the nutrients wash away easily.
Apply chunky mulch above the root ball annually, making sure to avoid building it up around the trunk.
As the weather starts to cool mid-autumn, sprinkle potash around the base of the tree, to help it prepare for winter: palms aren’t at their best in the cold weather, and this can help them to hang onto their fronds.
Lastly, prune any unsightly branches from the lower to mid region of the trunk, but avoid removing any from the top: this is where new leaves emerge and is important for the growth of the tree.
If you are planning to grow your own palm and add to our beach-side skyline, my suggestions include:
- The Alexandra Palm with its neat narrow trunk and verdent leaves
- The Golden Cane Palm which looks especially stunning in mass plantings and has an attractive warm tone on its trunk
- The Majestic Palm, whose rotund trunk gives it a cute cartoon-like appearance
- The Kentia Palm, which is also suitable for growing indoors in a well-lit room
Do you have a gardening question for Jess? Send your queries to jess.cockerill@fairfaxmedia.com.au
