Christchurch can have hard frosts in the winter, consequently early plantings of Phoenix palms tended to be in known micro-climates. Possibly one of the earliest Christchurch plantings is in Clifton Bay (just before Scarborough Beach), dating from the early 1930s [1], so this single Phoenix palm is a relative newcomer, having been planted circa 1975. Nonetheless, as the images show it qualifies as an ‘earthquake survivor’, with its central city location being another plus (there are very few Phoenix palms in central Christchurch). Indications are that as a new building goes up next to it, where the demolished Excelsior Hotel used to stand, its size and form will be appreciated. As the BeckerFraser photo shows, an attempt was made to save the façade of the Excelsior Hotel, a listed heritage building built in 1864, but ultimately it was demolished in 2016 [2]. The Phoenix palm is something of a last remnant of the hotel’s presence (it used to be next to an outside seating area), but as it grows in size it should become quite iconic in itself.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to Gael Liston for viewing and photographing the palm on a visit to Christchurch. Thanks to Doc Ross for permission to reproduce his 2011 image.
References:
1. ‘Sumner gardens competition’, The Press, 9 December, 1935. The palms are still growing today (see Google Maps)
2. ‘Excelsior Hotel’, canterburystories.nz, available at: https://canterburystories.nz/exhibitions/places-christchurch-buildings/excelsior-hotel