Dwarf sugar palm

The Taiwan sugar palm, Arenga engleri, is a small evergreen palm that grows in clumps and brings a tropical, architectural form to a large garden. Its native range extends from Taiwan to the Nansei Islands of Japan, and botanical-garden sources describe it as a multi-stemmed palm with a broad crown ([Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:664248-1); [Botanic Gardens of Sydney](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-names-and-classifications/palms)). ## Garden use and size Botanic Gardens of Sydney describes the species as a landscape or specimen palm, reaching about 4 metres tall and forming clumps up to 3 metres tall and 5 metres wide ([Botanic Gardens of Sydney](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-names-and-classifications/palms)). A second botanical-garden account gives 3–4 metres tall and 2.5–3 metres of basal spread ([Uffizi Galleries](https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/palm_arenga_engleri)). These sources support a substantial clump rather than a narrow single trunk; allow room for suckers and the mature spread. The current recorded size remains within the variation reported by these garden references. ## Flowers and siting The flowering stalks bear fragrant yellow-orange flowers that attract bees, butterflies and birds ([Botanic Gardens of Sydney](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-names-and-classifications/palms)). The plant suits a warm, sheltered position; the Uffizi Gardens advise rich, moist, slightly acidic soil and partial to full shade, and warn that it is vulnerable to frost, cold winds and sea spray ([Uffizi Galleries](https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/palm_arenga_engleri)). Botanic Gardens of Sydney describes it as notably cold-tolerant among palms, but that does not remove the need to protect plants from frost exposure ([Botanic Gardens of Sydney](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-names-and-classifications/palms); [Uffizi Galleries](https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/palm_arenga_engleri)). ## Maintenance The flowering stalk dies after setting seed and the palm produces suckers ([Botanic Gardens of Sydney](https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/our-science/our-collections/plant-names-and-classifications/palms)). Remove dead fronds or unwanted suckers when needed, leaving sufficient space for the clump to develop.