Palma China, St. Peter’s Palm

The dramatic, fast-growing landscape specimen with a massive base towers to heights of fifteen to twenty feet. It has sharp, pointed, short, rigid leaves that are dark to olive green with filaments growing along the margins. The plant can form multiple, spherical heads with many green leaves. Its leaves end in a sharp terminal spine. In late spring, it develops an interesting four- to six-foot flower stalk with creamy white, bell-shaped blossoms. The large blooms hang downward instead of standing upright and tall.  Use this spectacular specimen where it has plenty of room to grow and spread as a striking accent, or plant it against a tall wall for its amazing silhouette and form. It is native to northeast Mexico from Chihuahua to Nuevo Leon and south to Hidalgo.