Palms for the Patio

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Containerized palms, like this pygmy date palm, add a tropical touch to temperate patios.
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A majesty palm sits poolside.
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Palms offer a variety of foliage textures, like the delicate finger-like fronds of the lady palm.
Once the weather warms up enough to pot up tropical plants for the patio, consider adding palms. Palms fall into two basic categories--the fan palms and the feather palms--so named because of the arrangement of their leaves.

Regardless of which palms you grow, caring for them is pretty much the same. Generally speaking, they need warm temperatures (although a few can tolerate temps below freezing), good soil, routine fertilization and steady moisture. And interestingly, they also tend to do best when grown in deep pots.

So if you are looking to add a touch of tropical paradise to your patio, palms may be the perfect plant.