zahidis
Phoenix dactylifera ‘ZAHIDI’
Groundworks has done extensive cultural/environmental adaptation testing with Zahidi Date Palms and have come to the opinion that the Zahidi’ is as well suited for utilization under humid environmental conditions as its close cousin, the amazing Medjool Date Palm. Groundworks has had prior experience with Zahidi’s; back in the early days of the Medjool and Zahidi’s use in Florida during 1990-1995, Groundworks offered Zahidi’s however, because of poor Zahidi availability and because of the many strongly positive attributes we were discovering about the Medjool, we moved away from the variety. During early 2023, Groundworks contracted new sourcing of absolutely gorgeous Zahidi’s and then spent the next year studying the varieties performance in Florida. Zahidi Date Palms have been successfully utilized in many applications; in staggered groups, in rows lining avenues and as freestanding, very formal specimens.
We have found that in any application where a Canary Island Date might be used for its heavy calipered trunk and huge canopy, the Zahidi, with a similar trunk girth and almost 30’ wide canopy, is an ideal alternative with the benefit of no susceptibility at all to Fusarium wilt disease and almost no susceptibility to Ganoderma. Where Zahidi’s are installed, they tend to blow away everything else in sight. As natural attention getters, you cannot go wrong with these awesome specimens. Zahidi dates bring impact and formality to every job site on which they are utilized.
Zahidi canopies tend toward being Silver/blue green in appearance and are more upright in appearance than the Medjool; the canopies also tend to be slightly denser. Zahidi's are often specified where a look of organized formality is sought and where the client needs to create instant impact.
Culture:
Zahidi's can grow as tall as 70 feet and even taller in the desert. Like P. Canariensis, the growth rate is very slow and is slowed further by our wet conditions. It is best to buy palms near or slightly below the size you need. After establishment, you can expect a foot of new trunk every two to four years.
Hardiness Zones: 8b-11
Features:
Commonly, the lower two feet of trunk has a layer of advantageous aerial roots covering it. These roots are normal and can be hidden using underplanting’s.
Availability:
In April of 2024, the availability of specimens from 8 to 14’ of clear trunk is very good however the availability in larger sizes is very limited and we strongly recommend that you call us to check availability and to obtain a written quote before committing to the palms for a project. Zahidi’s comprise just 5% or less of total US Date palm production so when you are using them, what you are planting is very rare & unusual and we will not quote sizes that we do not have available. Please get in touch; we will send you current pictures & pricing or better yet, please come visit us at our Boynton Beach Florida specimen palm nurturing farm and stand next to some of these incredible palms, you are sure to be amazed.
