Rhopalostylis sapida 'Chatham Island'

A large, erect, slow-growing, palm reaching up to 10m with a fan span of around 3m.

The Chatham Island form of this palm has huge long fronds, reaching around 2m in length with broader rich green leaflets which have a silvery hue, and bears larger fruit than the mainland form. Flowering doesn't usually occur until plants are a reasonable age. Tiny pinkish-purple flowers on a large inflorescence descend from the base of the leaves, followed by masses of cylindrical red berries that take a year to ripen. As the palm grows its trunk has a ringed appearance from where the old leaves have been.

Performs best in deep, well-drained but moist soil in partial to full shade with plenty of shelter from the wind to look its best. Fronds get severely wind burnt in exposed and sunny conditions.

Always choose healthy, well-grown, plants and plant after autumn rains, when the soil is moist and warm allows trees to establish a good root system well before summer. Planting is often improved on clay soils by adding extra topsoil and forming raised beds. Incorporate coarse sand, bark, peat, compost or other organic material to improve soil structure. Before planting, ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots or fronds and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball to plant in. Long term slow-release fertilisers may be added at this stage. As soil is placed in the prepared hole, tread firmly to bring soil in close contact with the root-ball. Unless the soil is wet, water thoroughly making sure that moisture penetrates to the depth of the root-ball.

Apply an organic mulch annually to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Remove and old fronds to keep the palm looking tidy. This plant can be propagated from seed.

Trouble-free.

Native Plant Ideas

The nikau palm is most southerly growing palm in the world.