The City of Palms

In the late 1800s, Tootie McGregor and Thomas & Mina Edison began the beautification of Fort Myers. Imported Royal Palms were planted along Riverside Drive, later renamed McGregor Boulevard. We believe McGregor Boulevard is one of the most beautiful streets anywhere in America - come take a drive and see for yourself!

These magnificent Royal Palms, some towering at 75 feet, give the City of Palms its nickname. The fun and variety of tropical gardening is one of many great reasons to enjoy living in the Fort Myers area.

We have listed some of the palms you will cme across in Fort Myers here below.
 

Royal Palm
 

Height: 50-80 feet (15-24 meters)
Spread: 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 meters)

How to Identify:
The Royal Palm is a fast-growing palm, stately with a large, smooth green trunk at the crownshaft. Fronds are approximately 10 feet long. Small white flowers are inconspicuous and the fruit is black or bluish drupes about ½" long.

Habitat: Tropical America; South Florida.
Light: Full sun to broken shade.
Soil: Rich soil.
Care: Newly planted palms should be kept moist until the roots begin to branch out into the soil. Once established, this palm needs watering about once a week or when the soil is drying. Fertilize in March, June and October.

Queen Palm

Height: 25-50 feet (7.5-15 meters)
Spread: 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 meters)

The Queen Palm prefers full sun and is best suited to well-drained acidic soils. Alkaline soils should be avoided. Growth can be rapid in moist, fertilized conditions. Use restraint when pruning fronds to avoid tree decline.

How to Identify:
The Queen Palm has a single, usually straight, ringed trunk and a graceful crown of soft leaves.This palm has decorative orange fruits during cool months.

Habitat: Brazil; Florida.
Light: Full sun for best growth.
Soil: Tolerates different types of sandy soil.
Care: Water during dry periods. Fertilize at the beginning of the rainy season.

Areca Palm
 

Height: 30'

How to Identify: The Areca palm is clump-growing with ringed, bamboo-like stems and yellow leaf-ribs. The foliage is evergreen, of fine texture and yellow-green in color. Gardeners know this attractive plant under various names, and so nursery labels may designate it as madagascar palm, bamboo palm, yellow palm, or cane palm. Under any name this is one of the most useful Palms of the tropics the world around.

Habitat: Madagascar; in Florida, widely planted in nearly frostless sections.
Light: Tolerant of rather dense shade on patios or Florida rooms.
Soil: Grows best in fairly rich soil, slightly acid in reaction.
Care: Plant in fertile, acid soil; water moderately during dry periods; protect against scale insects and frost.

Ponytail Palm

Height: 15'

How to Identify: The greatly swollen trunk base and the recurving, narrow leaves are certain identification. The foliage is evergreen, fine in texture and light green in color.

Habitat: Mexican highlands; in Florida, sandy soils in warm locations.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Sandy, well-drained, neutral soils.
Care: Plant in a well-drained site that is not subjected to low temperatures; fertilize once at the beginning of warm weather; keep lawn grasses back from trunk.