Arenga englerii - Taiwan Sugar Palm

The Arenga englerii, also known as the Formosa Palm or Dwarf Sugar Palm, is a species of small stature found on the slopes of humid forests in Taiwan and some Japanese islands. It is a plant that prefers partial shade and humus-rich, moist soil. Although it is not very hardy, it can be easily acclimated to well-watered European coastal gardens. It also adapts well to container cultivation, where it forms a beautiful green plant that can decorate terraces or balconies during the summer, or a lightly heated conservatory in winter. It is appreciated for its characteristic silhouette, beautiful foliage, and exotic charm.

A slow-growing shrub-like plant belonging to the family Arecaceae, the Arenga engleri is highly valued as an ornamental plant. It is a semelparous species, meaning it flowers only once before dying. However, it ensures its perpetuity by producing suckers that emerge from the ground near the base of the mother-plant, giving it a bushy and wide appearance. This palm develops one or more slender, elongated false trunks or stipes covered in black fibres, with lighter rings. It reaches a height of 2 to 5 m (6 feet 7 inches to 16 feet 5 inches), on average 3 m (9 feet 10 inches) with a width of 1.50 m. Its habit will be more elongated if it grows in shade but more compact in the sun. Its evergreen foliage is composed of long and slender leaves divided into multiple bright green leaflets with a silvery underside. The leaflets or pinnae end in a triangular fish-tail shape. The flowers appear in summer between the leaves on mature plants. Depending on whether they are male or female, they can take on various colours and are gently scented: orange, red, or green, and are clustered together. After pollination, small globose fruits measuring 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter form, turning a purple-red colour when ripe and containing 2 to 3 seeds. These fruits are not edible and can be irritating to the skin. Young Formosa palms appreciate shade and filtered light, while older plants tolerate the sun better.

This palm is particularly suitable for sheltered, temperate, coastal gardens, where it will enjoy the mild and humid climate. When planted in the ground, it should be placed in isolation, alongside banana trees or cannas, in an exotic-inspired setting. It can be somewhat challenging to pair with other plants due to its strong personality, but it can be planted in groups of three and surrounded by a carpet of Japanese grass, Liriope muscari, or small periwinkles. In a contemporary garden, it can be placed above a sea of white pebbles. It also makes a magnificent specimen on a terrace or balcony, planted in a carefully chosen large container.