Southwest Florida Ribbon Palms a Gift from Mother Nature

Florida ribbon palms installation

Southwest Florida ribbon palms are gifts that keep on giving. Their “ribbons” are actually long fronds that have split from their fan-shaped base. When a breeze picks up, so do the ribbons — gently fluttering and swirling all year long.

But don’t be fooled by their delicate appearance.

Rugged and Durable

A ribbon is rugged and durable — an unsung soldier in the glam world of Royal and Canary palms. Its main claim to fame is how well it stands up to cold weather, even in Central Florida. It’s also drought tolerant (once established), but you’ll want to water regularly to keep it looking its best. All that’s left to do is fertilize spring, summer and fall. Of course, you’ll want trim occasionally to remove brown fronds. And you can remove dried leaf bases by hand if you prefer a cleaner trunk look. But other than that, your ribbons are good to grow.

Super Adaptable

Where to plant? In a well-drained area under full or partial sun. Southwest Florida ribbon palms can reach up to 30 feet and look splendid as a single specimen or as a stately grouping. Since they grow straight and tall, you can plant six feet out from your house or even as close as three feet if the crown and fronds clear the roof. A tip: Avoid areas that get strong coastal wind so the “ribbons” don’t get too tattered.

So how creative do you want to get? Well, you can place your ribbons at the end of a long driveway, one on each side to welcome visitors. Or how about installing as a focal point for one of your garden beds? The possibilities are endless thanks to how these gentle giants adapt to almost any setting. They’re beautiful during the day, stunning at night — whether illuminated by orange sunsets or outdoor lighting.

Ribbon Palm with Christmas lights

Wrap Up Your Ribbons Today

If you like, ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design is happy to wrap up some ribbons for you along with a renovated landscape that’s sure to please. Contact Jenni Lassen to get your design plan started at 941.488.8897 or jennil@artistree.com. ArtisTree is nationally ranked and proudly serves Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Live in an HOA community and wish your community’s maintenance looked better? We can do that, too. Contact Mike Casper at 941.488.8897 or mikec@artistree.com.

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