A matched pair of Sylvester palms frames a driveway, entry or patio with a balanced look. The key is matching the height, trunk and crown across both palms. Picking the two palms in the field, side by side, makes that match much easier. Call ahead before you visit so the farm can plan for your time.
Why Matching Matters
Two palms placed side by side draw the eye. If one is taller, thicker or fuller than the other, the pair can look off. A matched set makes an entryway look planned and calm. It also makes the planting look cohesive from the street and from the front door.
What to Match: Height, Trunk and Crown
Before you buy, compare both palms on four points.
- Overall height. Compare the top of each palm. Similar heights look even at an entry.
- Clear trunk. Look at the bare trunk below the fronds. Trunk length changes how the crown sits against the building.
- Trunk thickness. Check how wide each trunk looks at the base. Thicker trunks suit larger spaces.
- Crown shape. Look at how the fronds spread. A full, even crown reads as a matched set.
Keep in mind that palms are living plants. Small differences are normal. Your goal is a pair that looks right together in your space, not two identical copies.
Why Picking in the Field Helps
Photos are a good start, but they do not show the whole palm. Walking the rows lets you compare two palms in person. You can see the trunk, the crown and the root wrap. You can also check how each palm looks from different angles, which matters more than any single measurement.
Customers can visit the farm, walk the rows and pick the exact palm. Owner Jerry meets customers in the field, so you can ask direct questions about each palm. Call ahead before you visit, so the farm knows to expect you.
Grades and Sizes to Know
Sylvester palms are graded as specimen and Florida Fancy. Specimen palms are often chosen as a focal point, such as an entry. Florida Fancy palms can suit a fuller planting. Ask which grade fits your plan, and ask how it affects the look of the pair.
Sizes vary from palm to palm. Some come with a tall clear trunk, while others have a shorter trunk and a broader crown. Some specimens stand well over twenty feet overall. Overall height and clear trunk are different measures, so ask for both when you compare two palms.
Plan the Site Before Delivery
Plan the site before the palms arrive. Mark the planting spots and check that the area is clear of overhead wires and buried lines. Make sure there is room for the trailer or flatbed to reach the spot. A little planning now saves time on delivery day.
Delivery is available for every order. The crew root-wraps the palm in the field, loads it with a loader onto a trailer or flatbed, and delivers it to your site. Delivery price is not published. Call 772-778-3006 with the planting address to ask for a quote.
Planting Both Palms the Same Way
Matched palms only look matched if you plant them the same way. Use the same planting depth, spacing and watering routine for both. Treat the pair as one job, and you will get a more even look.
- Plant soon. Plant as soon as possible after delivery. If planting must wait, keep the root wrap on and the palm in a shady, well-ventilated spot.
- Dig wide, not deep. Dig the hole about twice as wide as the root ball, but only as deep as the palm was grown.
- Never bury the trunk. Keep the trunk base at the same level it grew in the field.
- Backfill and pack. Use a soil and gravel mix, and pack out air pockets as you go.
- Build a soil dam. Form a ring of soil around the root zone so water stays where the roots are.
- Soak fully. Water the root zone until it is thoroughly wet.
Watering and Early Care
After planting, water daily or every other day for the first two weeks. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Check both palms, since the same weather can affect them in slightly different ways.
In spring, summer and early fall, feed the palms with a slow-release fertilizer. Look for one that contains manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron and copper sulfates. Use the same product and schedule on both palms, so the pair grows evenly.
The farm describes these palms as cold-hardy, wind tolerant and low maintenance once they are established. Early care still matters, so give both palms the same attention during their first season.
Common Ways Matched Pairs Go Wrong
Most problems with a pair come from a few simple mistakes. Watch for these before you plant.
- Choosing from photos alone, then finding a size difference at delivery.
- Planting one palm deeper than the other.
- Watering one palm more than the other.
- Placing the pair too close to the building or to each other.
- Waiting too long to plant after delivery.
Each mistake is easy to avoid when you plan ahead and treat both palms the same way.
Setting Up the Pair
A matched pair works well at a driveway, an entryway or a patio edge. It can also frame a long walkway. Think about how the pair looks from the street and from the front door. A simple, even setup often looks best.
For ideas, see photos of installed palms in our gallery. You can compare layouts and get a feel for how different spacing looks at a home.
About Sylvestris Tree Farms
Sylvestris Tree Farms is a working palm farm in Vero Beach. We grow Phoenix sylvestris Robusta, also called the Sylvester palm, India date palm or silver date palm. Our palms are field-grown on the farm, not containerized. We serve Vero Beach and Indian River County, and we offer planting and first-year care guidance.
To learn more about our palms, visit our date palms page. It covers the varieties and the basics of how we grow them.
Ready to pick your matched pair? Call Sylvestris Tree Farms at 772-778-3006 for a quote. Ask about availability, and call ahead before you visit the farm to walk the rows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick the exact palms for my pair?
Yes. You can visit the farm, walk the rows and pick the exact palm. Call ahead before you come so the farm can plan for your visit.
How do I match two palms?
Compare overall height, clear trunk, trunk thickness and crown shape. Pick both palms in person when you can, so you can see them side by side.
Do you deliver the palms?
Delivery is available for every order. The crew root-wraps the palm, loads it onto a trailer or flatbed, and delivers it to your site. Call 772-778-3006 with your address for a quote.
How soon should I plant after delivery?
Plant as soon as possible. If planting must wait, keep the root wrap on and store the palm in a shady, well-ventilated spot.