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Conservatory GreenhousePalms

Archontophoenix alexandrae

Alexandra palm

A tall, fast-growing palm with a slender trunk, swollen at the base and ringed with leaf scars. Huge, arching leaves up to 4m long have numerous, narrow leaflets pale green or purple-flushed above, grey or silver below. In summer, cream to yellow flowers open in large sprays, followed by pinkish-red fruit

Other common names
northern bungalow palm
Princess Alexandra's palm

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Cream Yellow Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver Red
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Arecaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Archontophoenix are single-stemmed evergreen palms with large pinnate leaves and large panicles or racemes of small cup-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
E Australia

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in loamless potting compost in bright, filtered light with moderate humidity. When in growth, water moderately and apply a liquid fertilizer monthly; keep just moist in winter. Outdoors grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in part shade to prevent leaf scorch

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring at 24-27°C (75-81°F). Keep compost moist and air humid

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Sub-tropical
Pruning

Minimal pruning required; remove dead leaves by cutting close to the leaf base leaving stubs to create a neat pattern

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite may be a problem under glass

Diseases

Generally disease free

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