Northwest Palms

Yucca rostrata

Last month the Palm Society offered 10 large Yucca rostratas with approximately 6-foot trunks to club members at a special price of $150 each. These normally sell for double or triple that price. Although the specimens were damaged by a greenhouse collapse in last winter's snows, they were alive and should look 100% in a year or two. I, Jeff and Dennis each bought one and Charlie Warburton was kind enough to bring them for us from Vancouver to Victoria. The three Yuccaas were selected from the group shown on the attached pic. I am trying to imagine how many years it would take for them to grow to this size in the PNW climate.

The following thread was started by Vlad Pomajzl, Saltspring on October 31, 2009 at 7:14 pm PST

While picking up his Yucca at Jeff’s place today, Dennis snapped this pic of Jeff, his large B. armata and part of his incredible garden. I thought others would enjoy this pic well – a great looking palm Jeff:

The above followup was added by Vlad Pomajzl Saltspring on October 31, 2009 at 7:16 pm PST.

that;s a hefty brahea that dennis has there. How many fronds that that push a year in this cool climate?

also what is the pinnate plam in the back ground?

The above followup was added by James on November 01, 2009 at 6:28 am PST.

With a bit of time, it will look fantastic. What a deal too! I've been growing several rostratas (and other species) for years and I still don't see much of a trunk...sigh. I put one of them in the ground this summer and it seems to be growing a bit faster now.

Jeff's garden looks great.

The above followup was added by Linda Denman Island, BC 8b on November 01, 2009 at 8:45 am PST.

Those are nice size specimens that will have no problem surviving in our climate. I have seen large ones growin in Cloverdale and it gets a heck of a lot colder winters than we do.

The above followup was added by Joe, SSI on November 01, 2009 at 8:52 am PST.

there are rostrata planted at a commercial business on sumas road in abbotsford that are beautiful. they were planted fairly small and always look great!

The above followup was added by lou on November 01, 2009 at 10:41 am PST.

James: That's me in the pic, not Denis. This palm put out about 6.5 fronds this summer.

The above followup was added by Jeff, Victoria, BC on November 01, 2009 at 8:46 pm PST.

James: The pinnate palm is a Butia capiata. This specimen had some cold damage three winters ago, after which the spear started growing at an angle and is now straightening out again. I imagine the trunk will have a bend.

The above followup was added by Jeff, Victoria, BC on November 01, 2009 at 8:52 pm PST.

My Brahea armata has grown so slow it's not even funny. No protection for it at all this winter and if it dies I'll be replacing it with something else. Possibly I just didn't give it enough water this past summer, one frond for me. Cheers, Joe

The above followup was added by Joe, SSI on November 01, 2009 at 9:15 pm PST.

I previously had a much smaller B. armata. It too put on 6 - 7 fronds a year once established. That seems to be the top growth rate I can achieve.

Irrigation may make a difference. More so may be the good siting I have with mostly full sun from mid morning through the afternoon.

The above followup was added by Jeff, Victoria, 8b on November 02, 2009 at 3:18 pm PST.

If my Brahea breezes through this winter I'll pour the water to it next Summer and see if it makes a difference. Can you believe it is actually growing now that the weather is cooler and we've had rain.

The above followup was added by Joe, SSI on November 02, 2009 at 4:32 pm PST.

Great Brahea! That palm is looking nice with some bluish fronds. That's a good deal on the rostratas. It takes them a long, long time to get that much trunk. They will also have a nice blue color when they regrow their crowns.

Cheers,
Austin

The above followup was added by Austin, Little Rock on November 02, 2009 at 5:32 pm PST.

Thanks for the compliment. How much growth does a B. armata put on in the hot summers of Little Rock?

The above followup was added by Jeff, Victoria, BC on November 02, 2009 at 7:00 pm PST.

Austin has an amazing W.robusta in his garden that has grown like a weed over the years. I was saying to him he should try B.armata in his hot summer climate. I bet it would thrive.

The above followup was added by Joe, SSI on November 02, 2009 at 9:36 pm PST.