Palm hunting in Richmond, southeast London

[UK_Palms]

So I had a couple of hours spare and challenged myself to see as many palms as possible in the Richmond area of London, which is in the southeast of capital. I have put together a photo-documented record of palms in this vicinity of the city and their progress up to now.

First up, Butia Odorata…

This Jubaea is something else

 

The Brahea Armata is getting bigger

 

Butia Yatay

 

Parajubaea Cocoides growing under the Yatay

 

Chamaerops Humilis

 

Trachycarpus

 

Trithrinax Campestris

 

Washingtonia and smaller Jubaea

 

Yucca Elephantipes, one of the most common exotic plants in London

 

Typical London CIDP

 

I had to visit the two Kew/Richmond Robusta’s up close. The neighbour’s front yard has had all the big Trachy’s and Chamaerops cut down though!

 

Another Brahea Armata

 

It was a mild early February day in southeast London…

 

Trachy’s aplenty…

 

CIDP’s aplenty too…

 

Terrific washingtonia lurking down a side road in Mitcham…

 

Spotted a few more CIDP’s as well…

 

I actually missed quite a few palms off, but I can’t complain given the decent haul I managed to view  and photograph still, all in the space of about 2-3 hours. That also included a stop at Richmond Park for lunch too, so it was a fairly productive visit. 

[Ryland]

Really nice set of photos, thanks for sharing!  I wish mine were anywhere near these sizes.  I've only planted my garden over the last 1-3 years, so it's going to be a very long wait!

[Frond-friend42]

Love the lurking washie. That is so cool. I'd never imagined London as a place compatible with palms.

[kinzyjr]

@UK_Palms ... Still jealous of the Jubaea!

[palmfriend]

Again a great documentation - thank you very much for all your efforts and to provide it here on palmtalk!

 

regards

Lars

 

[Little Tex]

Amazing palms, what is the USDA equivalent zone for this part of London?

[Foxpalms]

11 hours ago, Little Tex said:

Amazing palms, what is the USDA equivalent zone for this part of London?

Zone 9a with probably a few  low end of zone 9b areas 

[UK_Palms]

On 2/26/2022 at 11:14 AM, Ryland said:

Really nice set of photos, thanks for sharing!  I wish mine were anywhere near these sizes.  I've only planted my garden over the last 1-3 years, so it's going to be a very long wait!

Likewise, I have only really been growing palms for about 4-5 years now really. I got my first Trachy and CIDP back in like mid 2017 I think it was. I have expanded my collection considerably since then, but most of my stuff is still pretty small. We are both decades away from having truly impressive gardens like some of the ones you see on here, but just I look forward to the palm growing journey and experience. Thankfully we are both relatively young and should have plenty of time on our side to see them grow. Realistically, I should have another 60-70 years left.

[UK_Palms]

On 2/26/2022 at 1:26 PM, Frond-friend42 said:

Love the lurking washie. That is so cool. I'd never imagined London as a place compatible with palms.

There are a lot of washies in London now and a lot lurking in back yards or down side streets. I have identified approximately 130 washingtonia specimens that are over 20 foot in height in London with some approaching 35 foot now. There's probably quite a lot more lurking out there in back yards too. 99% of the CIDP's and Washies were planted tiny. 

Here is one in London that I have never really posted, since it is obscured behind a wall in a Fulham back yard. This one is really taking off now though and growing about 2-3 foot each year, so it is getting more impressive and rising above the 9-10 foot fence. The next Google street view update should be good. There are two massive 40 foot CIDP's right nearby to this one too, including the biggest in London. The huge 35 foot Robusta by the pool isn't far away from this one either. It's in a bit of a hotspot.