Archontophoenix cunninghamiana ‘Illawarra’ (60cm size)

A variant of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana that at one point was deemed to be more cool / cold hardy than ‘regular’ King Palms.  However later trials seemed to show that the opposite applied - somewhat confusingly 🤔.

…..and current thinking seems to be…..that there is very little difference…..

On the other hand - what is observable is that the growth rate is well, ‘rocket-ship’ fast (by palm standards anyway) - as long as you give them A LOT of water.  Even quicker than ‘regular’ Kings - and those are damn quick.  

It is a really fun and rewarding palms to grow in the UK -  they can stay outside for as long as temperatures stay at, or above zero - and there is no frost - without any problem.  They definitely don’t mind being kept In quite small pots; they also don’t seem to mind being moved in and out of doors.  Did I say they don’t mind shade either ?  Well - they don’t.   

The only issues with Illawarra Kings are that they get battered badly by strong winds - and cold winds in particular and they won’t take ‘proper’ freezes.  So it’s an indoor - outdoor palm - unless you live in the very mildest spots and can provide mature trees for canopy cover.  Maybe.  The only problem being that they won’t take long to outgrow your ceilings, unless you live at Downton Abbey, or at the Eden Project.

IMO an infinitely more rewarding palm to grow in the UK than the Queen (Syagrus romanzoffiana) which have pretty much the same limitations over (lack of) cold tolerance and susceptibility to wind damage - but barely grow for 90% of the year in the UK.   These things on the other hand do grow, and grow quickly for 75% of the year.  The heat and light requirement is completely different.  

I left some outside in -2 (winter 2023-2024), under canopy cover and there was minor bronzing to some leaf tips but that was about it.

Offered in (approx) 60cm metre size.  
Or 1 metre size by the end of the summer…..