Whatz That? - Barstow Palms

A tropical island would not be a tropical island without palm trees.  And when we think "desert" or "Southern California" we think palm trees as well.  But actually palm trees are oasis plants, not desert plants.  All palm trees need a fair amount of water.  If you plant a palm tree in the Mojave River bottom, the roots can probably find their own water.  Farther up the hill, they need to be on a watering system.  I'm told that the first palm trees in the area were in Newberry Springs.  And that they are still there.  Neglected or not, they would have been able to find their own water.

Of the many types of palm trees, only a few are hardy enough and xeric enough to grow in Barstow without running the water bill up too much.  The following are the varieties I have seen around town.  The second part is additional  palms that according to the Sunset Western Garden Book, ought to grow in Barstow.



Blue Palm





Blue Hesper Palm/Brahea armata  The only examples of this slow-growing palm that I have seen in Barstow are small.  I tried to grow one, but it died, probably from insufficient watering.

Guadalupe Palm

Guadalupe Palm/Brahea edulis  This palm was given to me by Oak Hills Nursery when they were cleaning out a greenhouse.  They received it in a shipment of palms, but did not want to sell it as it will not survive in Hesperia.  They gave it to me hoping it might survive in Barstow.  I planted it in a somewhat sheltered location, but it has not been through a winter yet.  I am hoping it will do all right, as it has edible date-like fruit.

Canary Island Date Palm



Canary Island Date Palm/Phoenix canariansis  This palm can become too large for the home garden.  Some of the tall ones around town were planted too close to buildings and have to be trimmed regularly.  If it has room to grow, it is a very attractive tree.  The fruit is edible, but too small to bother with.



Pygmy Date Palm in rear
Mediterranean Fan Palm in front



Pygmy Date Palm/Phoenix roebelini  This is a small, slow-growing palm, that is often offered for sale.

 
Mediterranean Fan Palm/Chamaerops humilis  This is a small, often multi-trunked, clumping palm that has the appearance of a shrub.  It grows well in Barstow as it is from an arid part of the world.

Dwarf Windmill Palms

Dwarf Windmill Palm/Trachycarpus fortunei  This is a small, slow-growing palm that is particularly attractive planted in clumps.  It is known for its shaggy trunk.




Date Palm

 

Date Palm/Phoenix dactylifora  This is the palm that produces edible dates.  However it does not do so in Barstow's climate.



Queen Palm



Queen Palm/Syagrua romanzoffiana  This palm is marginal for Barstow.  Except for those in the picuture, I have only seen it growing south (up hill) of I-15 where the climate is slightly warmer than in the river bottom.   Even when established, it is unlikely to survive a heavy frost.

Mexican Fan Palm on left
California Fan Palm on right

Mexican Fan Palm/Washingtonia robusta  This is the tall, skinny palm tree that predominates in Barstow.  It grows well here and needs less water than most other palms.  When young, it is indistinguishable from the California Fan Palm.

California Fan Palm/Washingtonia filifera  This is the not-as- tall, stout palm tree found throughout Barstow.  It grows well here and needs less water than most other palms.  When young, it is indistinguishable from the Mexican Fan Palm. 



Sago Palms



Sago Palm  Not a true palm, this plant is a cycad, a modern relic of a prehistoric plant.  However it is included here because it resembles a palm tree and is commonly called a palm.  Sago Palms prefer a more humid climate with a more even temperature.  Given that, they become quite wide without gaining much in height.  I have managed to kill a few by not providing enough water.  Their blooms and fruit are fascinating.





Cabbage Palm/Sabal  palmetto                   40'x20'   slow growing, fan

Dwarf Palmetto/Sabal minor                        6'x6'       slow growing, fan, needs regular water

Chilean Wine Palm/Jubaea chilensis             50'x20'   frond

Pindo Palm, Jelly Palm/Butia capitata           40'x10'   fast growning, frond, edible fruit

Mazari Palm/Nannorrhapsritchiana               10'x15'  slow growing, semi-fan

Needle Palm/Rhapidophyllum hystrix            5'x5'      slow growing, fan, needs regular water

Saw Palmetta/Serena repens                        3'x5'       slow growing, fan