Sabal bermudana - Bermuda Palm

Sabal bermudana, similar to Sabal palmetto, is a spectacular, vigorous, and highly ornamental palm tree, surprisingly hardy despite its origins. Its majestic silhouette consists of a trunk adorned with original geometric patterns, bearing a crown of large fan-shaped leaves. The leaf segments are wide and have a bluish-green colour on the underside, but a vibrant green colour on the upper side. Although it can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F), or even lower for mature plants planted in well-drained soil, this Bermudan palm tree prefers the mildness of the sea and the warmth of long Mediterranean summers but still requires some moisture at its base. It is an exceptional plant for Mediterranean gardens.

Sabal bermudana belongs to the family of Arecaceae. It is endemic to Bermuda, found in both dry soil and marshy areas. This palm tree, which can reach a height of 12 to 14 m (39 to 46 ft), has relatively slow growth during the first few years, which then accelerates. In fertile soil and with regular watering from May to September, its growth will be optimal. This Sabal will grow much slower in dry soil or gardens without irrigation.

It develops a single straight false trunk (stipe), thickened at the base and sometimes reaching a diameter of 35 cm (14 in). It has a grey colour and a woven appearance. The stipe forms after 10 to 12 years. The ornamental patterns, characteristic of this species, are the remnants of the old dried petioles. The foliage is arranged in a terminal crown at the top of the stipe, eventually reaching a span of 5 m (16 ft). The crown consists of 15 to 25 highly costapalmate leaves, meaning palmate leaves arranged in a fan shape around a central axis. In the case of the Sabal bermudana, each leaf, measuring 1.50 to 2 m (5 to 7 ft) in width, has a beautiful green-blue colour on the underside and a more glaucous colour on the upper side. It is divided into 80 to 90 rigid, wide, erect segments, cut at the base halfway along their length, and carried by a very robust petiole, reaching a length of 2 m (7ft).

The flowering, which occurs on mature individuals, consists of bisexual flowers capable of producing fruits. The inflorescence, curved, emerges every summer between the large leaves. It can reach a length of 2 m (7 ft). It bears many small whitish, fragrant, and nectar-producing flowers, which, in favourable climates, give rise to round fruits with a brown colour. Each fruit contains a black seed, shaped like a flattened pear and measuring about 1 cm (1 in) in diameter. This fresh seed will germinate after 5 to 6 months.

Highly appreciated as a specimen plant to be planted individually in coastal gardens, or in rows, especially in warm climates, the Bermuda Palm is one of the most majestic palm species, along with the Jubaea chilensis and the Phoenix canariensis. Its quite respectable hardiness actually depends a lot on soil drainage and ambient humidity. In mild climates, it is irreplaceable and prestigious, but it can also be grown in a large container for a few years in other regions. During winter, it should be stored in a cool, well-lit, and well-ventilated space. Planted near an entrance or on either side of a gate, or placed individually near a swimming pool, it will look superb.