Bismarckia
( biz - MARK- ee - uh )
|
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly referred to as Bismarck Palm, this tree is native to Madagascar and needs full sun and little to moderate water. The species Bismarckia nobilis is the sole species in the genus, which is a member of the plant family Arecaceae. These palms reach 30-40 feet tall and come in blue- and green-foliaged varieties. Fan-shaped palm fronds form a 25 foot wide crown at maturity The blue form is more cold-tolerant, while the green form is better along coastlines. Bismarck Palm grows best in zones 19-24 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map) and is great along driveways or when used as an accent plant in a lawn area.
|
Bark on these trees is smooth and greyish-brown, marked with the scars of previously discarded leaves. They put on growth at a rate of 2-3 feet per year on average. The species produces separate male and female trees that both form small brown to copper-colored flowers on panicles in summertime. Inflorescences on male trees are longer than those on female trees, but do not produce fruit. Flowers will appear only on trees that are 12 years or older, and remain on the tree for a few weeks' time. Take care when planting these trees in your landscape, as the leaves have very sharp points to them that can poke and scratch children and pets. Plant parts are not considered toxic, however if enough material is ingested, stomach issues can arise in humans and pets.
Caring for and pruning Bismarckia Trees
Planting a Bismarck Palm is best done during the spring or summertime, when the palm is actively growing. They do not like to have their roots disturbed, so take care when removing the plant from its nursery pot and when untangling roots. Plant your palm in an area of the landscape that receives full sun. These trees can tolerate partial shade, but really will perform better and have more attractive color in full sun. These palms can grow to be quite large, so ensure that you have ample space to accommodate a spread of up to 20 feet across. Make sure that soil in the planting area is well-draining. Sandy soils are ideal substrates for these trees, but they can also adapt to loamy soils. A good soil mixture for these trees is a equal combination of peat moss and coarse sand with perlite added in to improve drainage. Heavy clay soils that retain a lot of water are not recommended. Bismarck Palms prefer a soil pH of around 6.3 (slightly acidic to neutral). To maintain this pH balance, peat moss can be added to soil. Water young or newly installed trees regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Deep waterings will encourage strong root growth. When trees are mature, they are drought-tolerant and will require less frequent watering. During extended dry periods, provide deep waterings to keep the soil from becoming completely dry. Mulch around the base of the tree with a 2-3 inch layer of organic material, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot or other fungal diseases from taking hold.
Fertilize these trees in spring and summertime if they seem to be struggling with a balanced, slow-release palm fertilizer that also includes micronutrients (especially magnesium). Avoid over-fertilizing these trees, as doing so can cause damage. Pruning these trees is relatively straightforward, simply remove dead or damaged fronds by cutting them back to their attachment to the trunk. These palms will not 'self-clean'; and doing this will improve the tree's appearance as well as health. The best time to prune Bismarck Palms is in late winter or early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Avoid excessive prunings. These trees are hardy down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and will need winter protection in areas that drop below freezing. Simply cover with a frost cloth or blanket during cold snaps. Smaller palms in containers can be moved to a sheltered location over winter. Bismarck palms do not do well when grown in containers for long periods of time, however. They do not like having their roots disturbed (which will happen every 1-4 years when they need to be potted up), and they should really be planted in the ground as soon as possible after purchasing.
Fertilize these trees in spring and summertime if they seem to be struggling with a balanced, slow-release palm fertilizer that also includes micronutrients (especially magnesium). Avoid over-fertilizing these trees, as doing so can cause damage. Pruning these trees is relatively straightforward, simply remove dead or damaged fronds by cutting them back to their attachment to the trunk. These palms will not 'self-clean'; and doing this will improve the tree's appearance as well as health. The best time to prune Bismarck Palms is in late winter or early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Avoid excessive prunings. These trees are hardy down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and will need winter protection in areas that drop below freezing. Simply cover with a frost cloth or blanket during cold snaps. Smaller palms in containers can be moved to a sheltered location over winter. Bismarck palms do not do well when grown in containers for long periods of time, however. They do not like having their roots disturbed (which will happen every 1-4 years when they need to be potted up), and they should really be planted in the ground as soon as possible after purchasing.
Propagation
Bismarckia can be propagated either by offsets or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the offset method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Palm, follow the instructions below.
Propagating Bismarckia by Seed
Propagating Bismarckia by Offset
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Bismarckia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. In addition, the species produces male and female flowers on separate plants, so there will need to be a male and female tree within 50-100 feet of each other for the female tree to produce fruits with viable seeds. Trees also need to be of a certain age to produce viable seeds; if seeds are not the size of a small lime yet, the tree is probably not mature enough yet to reproduce. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- Harvest your seeds. The fruits will fall from the plant when they are ready to be dispersed, so wait until this happens before harvesting. Ripe fruits will be dark blue to black color, and seeds should be planted as soon as possible after fruits are ripe for the best results.
- Water your prepared pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot so that the top of the seed is exposed. Water in your seeds. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a sunny spot inside a window will do as well. Keep the soil moist. Seeds germinate best in temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so the assistance of a heating pad may be required. Germination usually takes between 4 and 12 months from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout their first leaves and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual pots. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, as the tree develops. Keep your new palm in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When the palm has developed a few leaves, they should be planted in the ground.
Propagating Bismarckia by Offset
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout!
Bismarck Palms produce fruits that ripen to dark bluish-black in color.
|
Bismarckia seeds.
|
Problems and Pests
Bismarck Palms are susceptible to developing problems with the following pests and diseases:
- Palmetto Weevil
- Ganoderma Butt Rot and other Fungal Diseases
- Spider Mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale Insects
- Aphids
Gallery
The silver-foliaged variety is hardy down to 27 degrees Fahrenheit before suffering damage.
|
The green-foliaged variety is hardy down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
|
Bismarck palms can make a silvery statement in many types of landscapes.
|
These palms are great at adding a tropical look to gardens.
|
Here, Bismarck Palms are planted in a mixed bed with Lomandra.
|
With their silvery foliage, these are bold choices for Mediterranean landscapes.
|
Videos
|
Learn about these great Palms.
|
Why should you grow a Bismarck Palm?
|
|
All about Bismarck Palms.
|
Growing Bismarckia in the landscape.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 197, Bismarckia nobilis
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
