Caranday Palms: Off the radar for some Plantopinions experts.

Caranday palms aren’t your typical mainstream Florida palm. They’re not a Foxtail, Pygmy, Queen or Medjool. They’re Carandays, for goodness’ sake, with a certain swagger all their own, and they don’t care if you care or not. So, when half of our Plantopinions panel said they’ve never tried them (though admitting they admire them), the Caranday just sort of yawns. This jaunty, fan-shaped palm has always had a strong but quiet fan base, and you might just be their next new fan.

Joe Mantkowski, ArtisTree VP Landscape Design:

I’ve included Carandays in my plans when the homeowner wants something really new and different. It’s a really special palm that not everyone else has and has three big things going for it: It’s unique, sustainable and a true, low-maintenance ornamental. My favorite features are its amazing trunk and a beautiful silver palmate canopy. Caranday palms work well as either a centerpiece or planted in groups on a corner of a home/structure. The one we installed at ArtisTree’s Design Center never fails to get compliments.

Clinton Lak, ArtisTree Landscape Designer:

I have mixed opinions about the Caranday. It’s a great medium-sized palm that matches the scale of most single-story homes nicely, plus it’s cold tolerant so it fares well in even the coldest parts of our tri-county area. The fronds have a fantastic blue/silver coloration, making it a nice substitution for a Silver Bismarkia palm when you’re dealing with space constraints (it’s also a good substitute for the silver European Fan Palm when you want a little more size). Some downfalls, though, are that they have sharp thorns, and since they’re not self-grooming, you’ll need to occasionally prune off spent fronds. I’ve used them quite a bit in Lakewood Ranch, where they’ve performed well in virtually every location. But honestly, I don’t get a lot of requests for them since they’re pricey and don’t fit everyone’s budget. Given their visual characteristics, they work well with homes that have Mediterranean-themed architecture/garden designs.

Chris Culp, ArtisTree Landscape Designer:

I do like this palm although I’ve never used it! But I do know that they’re a nice, slow grower, and for me, they’re more on the dainty size in the palm world – smaller and cute with a pleasing canopy that’s not too wide. Caranday palms are available in two different frond colors – green or silver. Both “bite” as they have long curved spines/hooks on the petioles, so take extra care when handling. Carandays can be on the pricey side, perhaps because they’re not mass-cultivated like the more mainstream palms are. They’re also referred to as the Carnauba Wax Palm or Wax Palm, and prefer full to  part sun.

Brian Clouser, ArtisTree Landscape Designer:

I haven’t used it nor have I had a client ask about it. But that’s not to say it isn’t a nice choice. Caranday palms look a bit like a sabal palm with a more interesting trunk, and they also have a nice Goldilocks appeal to them – they’re not too big, not too small, but instead just right — growing up to about 40 feet with a canopy 10 to 15 feet wide. Caranday palms can be planted as stand-alone specimens or in groupings; they also work quite well inland as a cold-tolerant alternative to thatch palms.

Elisabeth Owen, ArtisTree Landscape Designer:

Unfortunately I haven’t used this palm, but I probably should try to on my future renovation projects! It’s not widely known, so another factor that affects my answer is that the Caranday Palm isn’t on many approved plant lists by the HOAs we work with. This palm would be good to use in a northern, colder location, and the fact that it’s slow growing and smaller means it should fit nicely in beds or smaller lots. It also has a unique color that could contrast nicely with brighter blooms and colorful foliage like that of crotons, copperleaf, etc.

Conan Michel, ArtisTree Landscape Operations Manager:

I really like the Caranday, also known as the Caranday Wax Palm or Wax Palm. Fun fact: the Wax Palm gets its name from the wax that the leaves produce, which is commonly used in the cosmetics and automotive industries. Leaves are silver to light green, and as the palm matures, they fall off from the base and expose a smooth bark. These palms are gaining popularity in Florida, and I can certainly see why. They have a nice stately appearance and can withstand temperatures as low as 25 degrees. Plus, they’re easy to maintain, pest resistant and disease resistant. I recommend this palm.

ArtisTree “Plantopinions” is a roundtable debate between ArtisTree experts on the virtues of various plant specimens. Sometimes there’s consensus and sometimes not. In the end, you are the judge.

Contact ArtisTree Landscape 941.488.8897

To get your landscape renovation started now, browse ArtisTree’s portfolio and then call Jenni Lassen at 941.488.8897, ext. 312, to meet with one of our award-winning designers. We proudly serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and South Hillsborough counties.

ArtisTree also provides complete landscape maintenance services for HOA communities throughout Southwest Florida. Contact Michael Casper at 941.488.8897, ext. 321, for your custom proposal.  

Category News, Palms