Brahea armata
Brahea armata, Mexican Blue Palm or Blue Hesper Palm is endemic to the Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora. Although slow growing, it can reach 10-15 metres in the wild and has distinctive and very tough and stiff glaucous fan-shaped foliage on long petioles. When mature specimens flower, they send out spectacular elongated inflorescences that can reach over 5m in length and arc out beyond the foliage in dramatic hanging plume-shaped tassels.
In the UK, it is best suited to warm, sheltered aspects in the milder regions of the country. It requires an alkaline, well-drained gritty but fertile soil and responds well to applications of liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Protect when young.
It will also make an ideal indoor plant for a large conservatory when planted in an appropriate-sized terracotta container.
Additional Information
| Order | Arecales |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Sub-Family | Coryphoideae |
| Synonyms | Brahea armata var. microcarpa, Brahea clara, Brahea elegans, Brahea glauca, Brahea lucida, Brahea nobilis, Brahea roezlii, Erythea armata, Erythea armata var. microcarpa, Erythea clara, Erythea elegans, Erythea roezlii, Glaucothea armata, Glaucothea elegans |
| Geographical Origin | Mexico: Baja California, Sonora |
| Cultivation | Warm, sheltered south-facing aspect. Full sun. Rich, gritty and well-drained soil with added limestone. Feed and water well throughout the growing season. Will need winter protection with fleece when small |
| Eventual Height | 10 m |
| Eventual Spread | 3 m |
| Hardiness | Hardy to around -10C. Keep dry in the winter. Best suited to milder locations like London or warm coastal regions. Sheltered aspect in a favourable microclimate. Despite its very tough foliage it will need fleece in cooler regions |
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