The Use of Ornamental Palms for Landscape Design and Xeriscaping

Palm Family (Arecaceae-Palmaceae) is of great importance in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and includes about 184 genera and between 2000-2500 species. Ornamental palms are one of the most important elements of landscapes in tropical and subtropical regions due to their growth habit, forms, color and also their considerable adaptability to climatic and soil conditions. Some rare species are also found in the landscapes of warm temperate, transitional zones and even temperate climates due to their adaptation to low temperature. Ornamental palms are used for mass plantation in groves or groups, for rows, lines or avenues and also as focal points. Palms are used as landscape features for public buildings, parks, streets, swimming pools, restaurants, hotels, recreation centers particularly in coastal zones. Palms are usually low maintenance landscape plants and very suitable candidates for xeriscaping particularly in tropical and subtropical regions with limited water resources. Low temperature is one of the main limiting factors for cultivation of ornamental palms in landscapes especially in transitional, warm temperate and temperate climates that lead to chilling and freezing injury. In this review, some important features of ornamental palms for landscape utilization and some prevailing challenges are addressed. Meanwhile, some plam species which are suitable for cooler areas are listed.