Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis): Silver-Blue Fan Palm for Grand Landscapes

Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis) is a massive, solitary palm with a stout trunk and a crown of huge, costapalmate, silver-blue leaves (up to 10 feet wide) that create a stunning, formal presence. It is one of the most prized ornamental palms for tropical and subtropical landscapes.

Growth

Slow-growing to 30–60 feet tall with a 15–20 foot spread. The trunk is smooth, gray, and ringed with leaf scars. It is dioecious; female plants produce brown fruit. The silver-blue foliage color is most intense in full sun.

Culture

Full sun; well-drained soil. Regular water speeds growth. Tolerates drought once established. Hardy in zones 10–11; marginal in zone 9b with protection. Requires ample space.

Taxonomy

• Family: Arecaceae
• Genus: Bismarckia
• Species: nobilis