Last year, we posted fall pictures of our Sabal bermudana in full green leaf, but we would also like to share a current photo of the same specimen in its winter dress. As you can imagine, being from Bermuda, this palm isn’t enamored with our cold winter temperatures. Consequently, any nights that fall below 20 degrees F, cause the leaves to brown. I often hear palm growers grouse about this trait, and subsequently remove palms that don’t stay completely evergreen. We find this fascinating, since those same gardeners don’t hold deciduous trees, which drop 100% of their leaves, to the same standards. We actually find the winter brown leaves a lovely addition to the color in the winter garden. We will remove the old foliage in April, and within a few months, the new foliage will have regrown, making it look as good as new. Despite these yearly setbacks, our plant has developed a 2′ tall trunk, since being planted in the ground in 2003, as a 2000 seedling.
