Brahea armata
Blue hesper palm, Mexican blue palm, Mexican fan palm
Also known as Erythea armata
- Height × spread
- 16m × 6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This palm, at its best has cool-blue leaves, though they may be a less dramatic blue-green. The leaves on a mature specimen can be 2m (7ft) wide, overall circular. The fronds consist of separate, tapering, individual leaves, forty or fifty or them, each leaf edged with unpleasant, very sharp teeth. The rigid leaf stalks are likewise armed with spines, fanning out from the trunk. The overall effect is a spiky, elegant, drama, the blue shimmering in the sunshine. Visually, it is hard to imagine a more desirable palm. There is a large, cream inflorescence followed by clusters of black fruits. It is a classic specimen plant. Such a beauty is likely to be particular in its requirements. This needs very well drained soil that is at best only slightly acidic and not too poor. It must have sunshine to thrive and enjoys hot dry summers but is best watered under drought conditions. In sheltered spots in can be grown outside in Britain and Ireland, though susceptible to wet in winter. It is a slow growing palm but can eventually reach 16m (50ft) height with 6m (20ft) spread. Such a specimen will have a stout trunk with well ordered growth rings, and brown leaf bases in the upper portion of its trunk.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green
- Fruit colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 16m
- Spread
- 6m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 3m
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves & stems are prickly/thorny
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Repot every other year
Repot every other year if grown in a container. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Some of the old compost can be shaken away, but don't disturb the roots too much.
Make sure the roots are spread out and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and ensure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.