Palm Trees in Italy – A Growing Status Symbol
Palm trees in Italy are not part of the native fauna. They are rather an expensive status symbol, and therefore an all time burglar favourite.
Like most northerners with a small piece of land in the south, we have been dreaming of palm trees. Tall, majestic, exotic plants that don’t branch out but spread their evergreen leaves in a perfect fan. As an old symbol of victory, peace and plenty, the palm tree makes an impressive sight that goes well with a palazzo style villa and not so well with a humble casa rustica surrounded by olive trees. That is why we decided to consult our Italian gartner.
He told us, that palm trees are not just very expensive, they are also a popular status symbol and therefore – at least until they reach a certain height – an all time burglar favourite. Especially, when placed in front of not permanently inhabited houses in the countryside.
The only palm trees native to the northern Mediterranean countries is this European fan palm.
Instead he recommended a bushy fan palm, as the only palm tree native to the northern Mediterranean countries. It looks shrubby with multiple trunks, thrives in containers or when planted directly in the ground, and shows a good strong resistance against diseases, cold and pests. These arguments replaced the dream of palm tree power with an emblem of modest practicality that looks very much at home in the back yard.
There are so many different varieties of palm trees in Italy, like this beautiful bird of paradise.
And the real palm trees and other exotic plants can still be enjoyed in the cities and along the seaside, where every species and variety is cultivated, like the fascinating Strelitzia reginae also known as Crane Flower or Bird of Paradise.
The huge palm trees that symbolise holiday in the sun.
thank you
Italy and Spain are well know for growing many palms in Europe. They are also where the most native European Fan Palms grow.
There are definitely many palm trees in Italy.
I was actually interested in knowing if red oil producing palm trees like those in west africa grow in europe
I shouldn’t think so, but I truly don’t know.
There is only one native palm species in Italy, which is the European dwarf palm (Chaemerops humilis). All the other species are introduced by humans.
Btw, the palm on the first picture is not the native one. This is a Washingtonia palm from southern North America. And on the second picture it is – as correctly written – Strelitzia, but that is not a palm at all. ;)
Thanks for putting that right. You see my botanical knowledge leaves a lot to be desired.
This helped me with an analysis of “Cat in the rain” by Ernest Hemingway.
The short story is set in Italy, in a place with palms. Thanks for the article!
How interesting. I hadn’t read it before, but its a lovely short story. Thanks for tip.
I think now that climate change has changed the temperature a little bit, more species of palm can be introduced in Italy. I think in 20 years, we can plant royal palms on the southernmost parts!
You’re probably right:)
Royal palms already grow in Italy. I live next to Rome and have 3 in my backyard. They are growing quite fastly, and are now 13 meters tall. Here in Italy there are a lot mostly on the coast.
How interesting. According to Wikipedia, Roystonea regia mostly grows in the Americas, though ornamental Royal Palms are mentioned on the Canary Islands too.
they are introduced, i know because palm trees are a major export of my country costa rica, most buyers are european countries like greece, italy and spain.
they use palm trees to appear exotic when they’re not.
Well. Chamaerops humilis are an exotic looking tree, native to Italy. But other Palms are used as a status symbol . One of the most attractive things about Italy is it’s variety though.
The coasts of Calabria, Sicily, Southern Sardinia, parts of the Salento + Salerno all have an annual average temperature of over 18°C which is classed as subtropical. Lampedusa’s is over 20°C so Italy does have some “exotic” areas!
Indeed.
Royal palms dont grow in rome. Its too cool for it
Its got nothing to do with climate change. Italy has tropical palms like date palms for centuries.
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I’m not sure this will get you anywhere, but it’s a nice try.
Not only in Italy at the coast are many palm trees. Also here in the south part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast are the mediterranean plants which are to see there, only they are not so numerous because here and also in north Greece is still the original Mediterranean flora which was everywhere before the exotic plants were brought to Europe. Here in Burgas, Bulgaria, we have a climate almost identical with the one near Ancona in Italy.
Interesting. I’ve only driven through Bulgaria in transit a few times, but it sounds like I’m missing out on a great holiday destination:)
Climate as well as plants almost identical with Milano. Original flora in Burgas is not mediterranean, it’s East European. I guess you want to promote your area as an alternative to Italy, but the reality is totally different.
Agree!
Agree, Burgas not at all mediterranean, not even a bit.