The Silver Bismarck Palm Tree – A Cold Hardy Giant!

Until a few years ago, I had no idea that the Silver Bismarck palm tree existed.

I learned of this unique species while researching cold hardy palm trees and was shocked that a palm as striking and tropical in appearance could take temps below freezing.

While it isn’t one of the most cold hardy, it is a palm you should consider if living in a marginal climate.

What Are Silver Bismarck Palm Trees?

Known by its species name, Bismarckia Nobilis, and native to the western and northern plains of Madagascar, the silver Bismarck palm tree has become a popular favorite over the last decade in many areas of the southern United States.

These palms have become especially popular in places like southwest Florida, and thrive in hot, dry climates as well as tropical and subtropical climates.

There is a less common green form of the Bismarck palm under the same species name but lacks the same cold tolerance and overall beauty of the silver form.

The Bismarck palm has costapalmate fronds, which start as palmate when young.

The fronds feature a silver-blue waxy covering and can get up to 10 feet in width once mature.

These palms grow very fast and get very large, so they will need a lot of space as the leaf span of these palms can be approximately 25 feet in width or more.

The Bismarck palm is known as dioecious, meaning that each tree is either male or female and will need both to produce viable seeds.

Where Will Silver Bismarck Palms Grow?

The Silver Bismarck palm is surprisingly adaptable to many climates and will grow in hardiness zones 9 and above in most cases.

In its native habitat, Bismarck palms handle extreme drought and heat.

This makes it a great palm for many low-lying desert climates in the southwest U.S., although, in extreme periods of drought, it is advisable to give it a good water several times during the hot seasons.

The Bismarck palm is also a tropical-loving palm and seems to do best in these hot and humid conditions.

They have been thriving in southern Florida landscapes, Hawaii, Thailand, and Australia, just to name a few.

Bismarck palms will also vary in growth rate depending on the type of climate it’s in.

Bismarcks look their best in tropical climates, but they also seem happy in hot desert climates.

Lots of sun and warm temperatures will really make these palms take off!

Who Are Silver Bismarck Palms For?

The Bismarck palm is best suited for places with full sun, hot summers, and dry winters.

They do not like prolonged exposure to moist, cold winters as they can get extensive cold damage, including root rot and even spear pulls in the worst cases.

They usually will not survive temperatures below 20F without winter protection.

You can get away with growing these palms in warmer areas of Zone 8 most times of the year but will need protection from occasional dips into the teens.

You can take precautions such as wrapping the palm with Christmas lights and/or using frost wrap for an extra layer of protection.

Since Bismarck palm fronds can vary in color from bluish gray to a bright silvery white, they are perfect for providing contrast between any green form plants and trees in your garden.

This really makes these palms stand out in your landscape!

If you are looking for something to make a huge statement in your yard, have a lot of space, and don’t get excessively cold, wet winters, these silver palms will provide a beautiful, tropical look for your cold hardy garden.

Any Drawbacks To the Silver Bismarck Palm?

While Bismarck palms can be easy and fast to grow, there are some things to be aware of.

When planting a Bismarck in the ground, be sure that it is in an area where you will not want to move it.

These palms have a sensitive large root system and are almost impossible to transplant once established without the risk of killing the palm.

Transplanting into a larger pot is okay as long as great care is taken in handling the root ball during transplant.

A common pest for many palms would be the palmetto weevil.

These are quite common in Florida and other areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast stretching north into South Carolina and as far west as Texas.

These will mostly attack sick, weak, or recently transplanted trees by laying eggs at the base of the fronds near the crown and eventually infesting the entire inside of the palm.

Pouring an insecticide a couple of times a year into the crown and keeping the palm fertilized and healthy can help prevent palmetto weevil attacks.

Another disease that can affect Bismarck palms is Ganoderma Butt Rot.

It is a pathogen known by the name Ganoderma Zonatum and can affect any palm tree, the most common being Date palms.

There is no known way to cure it and once affected, a white mass known as a conk will form near the base of the trunk eventually taking on a seashell-like form.

One known sign that your palm may be suffering from this disease is that many of the lower fronds will wilt and turn brown, usually leaving only the spear leaf thriving.

It usually attacks trees that have had their trunks damaged in some way, either from other pests creating openings in the trunk where it can easily spread or from damage caused by mower blades, tree trimmers, or other sharp gardening objects.

Try to minimize activities that can create damage to the trunk and make it more susceptible to rot.

Creating a good area of defensible space around the trunk to reduce the risk of damage as well as properly caring for and fertilizing your Bismarck palm will significantly decrease the risk of either of these problems.

Always stay proactive in checking up on your palm throughout the year to make sure everything looks okay.

The Wrap Up

If you are looking for a fast-growing palm tree that will not only create an incredible tropical look to your landscape but also create a nice contrast to the more common green form plants in your garden, the silver Bismarck palm is worth your consideration.