Bismarck Palm

The Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis) is the biggest statement you can make with a single plant. Its stiff fan shaped fronds are a genuine silver blue, each one up to 2m across, carried on a stout trunk that lifts the crown to around 8m over time with a spread of about 6m. This Madagascan palm suits Australian conditions superbly: drought tolerant, heat tolerant, wind tolerant and salt tolerant. The one thing it demands is space.

Why you'll love it

• Silver blue, not green. The colour is unusual enough that one palm changes the whole palette of a garden, year round.
• Scale without a forest. A single plant does the work of a group, reaching about 8m tall and 6m wide.
• Genuinely tough. Drought, heat, wind and coastal salt are all handled, and established palms need little more than rainfall.
• Wide climate range. It performs in tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and arid gardens, from Darwin to Perth to the warmer east coast.
• Almost no maintenance. No shaping, no feeding program, just the occasional removal of spent fronds.

Where it works best

Feature planting. This palm is a full stop, not a comma. Give it at least 4m of clearance from walls, eaves, paths and fences, and set it against a plain backdrop.

Driveways and entries. A matched pair either side of an entrance is one of the few times two are better than one. For an avenue, plant 7m to 8m apart.

Poolside and coastal gardens. Salt tolerance and stiff, low litter fronds make it a sound choice near water, set well back from the coping.

Growing Bismarck Palm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, without compromise, because shade dulls the silver colour and stretches the plant. It takes light frost only once established, so tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and arid gardens are the range. Cold inland districts, the tablelands, Tasmania and hard frosting southern gardens sit outside it.

Soil. Sharp drainage is essential, and sandy or gravelly soils are ideal. On clay, plant on a mound at least 300mm above grade, since standing water in winter is the most common cause of failure.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week for the first two summers, then reduce to occasional deep waterings. Apply a palm fertiliser with magnesium and potassium in early spring and again in late summer.

Pruning and handling. Remove only fully brown fronds, because cutting green ones weakens the crown. Wear gloves, as the frond stems carry small teeth. Plant it where you want it permanently: established specimens rarely transplant well.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in four sizes: 400mm, 90L, 100L and 285L. The 400mm plant is young with the silver colour showing, and it is the patient option because this species is slow early on. The 90L and 100L sizes are the usual middle ground, and the 285L is an advanced specimen for projects needing scale immediately.

Palms are packed with the crown protected and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and the larger sizes need machinery and site access. Expect little top growth in the first season, then a steady sequence of new fronds. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse large palms for instant impact
• Compare the full palm range
• Shop drought tolerant plants
• Bismarck palm size, colour and placement

Common questions

How much space does it really need?

Plan for about 6m of crown width, and keep at least 4m clear of buildings, eaves, paths and fences. The common mistake is planting it in a courtyard where it looks right for five years and then has to come out.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly at first, then steadily. Expect several years of crown building before the trunk starts to lift, which is why larger sizes are worth the difference.

Why is my palm greener than the photos?

Not enough direct sun. The silver blue waxy coating develops properly only in full sun, and palms grown in part shade look washed out green.