BOTANICAL NAME: Sabal minor
COMMON NAME: Dwarf palmetto
COUNTRY of ORIGIN: Southeastern United States, roughly from Texas to North Carolina and points in between.
COLD HARDINESS: Sabal minor is hardy throughout all of zone 7 and south. We believe that it will also do very well in zone 6b with some winter protection. Some people grow nice unprotected zone 6 minors, however it is our belief that this should be viewed as the exception and not the rule. Sabal minors are very tolerant of cold and wet winters - after all, this is the conditions in which they are found growing in the wild. Established minors should survive brief bouts with 0 degree temperatures (F) or maybe even a couple of degrees lower if well situated and receiving ample winter sun.
We have yet to find a palm that we didn't like, however Sabal minor must be our favorite. A truly hardy specimen that would surly be a welcomed addition to almost any landscape.
SIZE and CHARACTERISTICS: Dwarf palmettos have a single trunk that remains underground for many years. Older specimens will form an above ground trunk, but this will rarely exceed 3 feet in height, thus the common name "dwarf".
This palm will grow rather slowly to a overall height of about 6 feet. The deep green and somewhat bluish leaves are cut with very pronounced V's.
Sabal minors are water loving palms.
They also prefer shade and work as an excellent understory palm for a trunking palm like a Windmill. Just come off your Windmill trunk a few feet in any direction and plant a few
Dwarf palmettos. This will help transition your taller palms back into the rest of your landscape and give that area a real tropical feel..not an "outta place" feel..you feel'in me?
Sabal minor seems to do fine grown in the hot sun of most of the southern United States as well. They are a very easy palm for the novice grower as well as a favorite among palm enthusiasts.
