Plant Library

Other Names:  Cabbage Palm, Grass Tree, Dracaena Palm

Description:

A palm-like shrub or small tree with interesting foliage that emerges deep burgundy and matures to purplish-black; will eventually branch out, and produce panicles of sweet smelling white blooms; a wonderful addition to a tropical themed garden

Ornamental Features

Black Knight Grass Palm features dainty panicles of fragrant white round flowers with chartreuse eyes along the branches in mid summer. Its attractive sword-like leaves emerge burgundy in spring, turning deep purple in color with hints of black the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Black Knight Grass Palm is a multi-stemmed annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Black Knight Grass Palm is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Black Knight Grass Palm will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Black Knight Grass Palm is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.