Paul Craft
The Architect of Modern Palm Horticulture
In the world of tropical horticulture, few figures have successfully bridged the gap between the rigorous demands of academic botany and the practical needs of the home gardener as effectively as Paul Craft. A chemist by training and a nurseryman by trade, Craft established himself as one of the preeminent authorities on the Arecaceae (palm) family, ultimately authoring the works that now sit on the shelves of nearly every serious palm enthusiast and botanical garden library.
The Chemist Who Turned to Palms
Paul Craft did not begin his career in a greenhouse. He was originally trained as a chemist, a background that colleagues often credit for the analytical precision he brings to his later botanical work [1][2]. His shift from the laboratory to the landscape was driven by a passion that eventually led him to become a commercial palm nurseryman in Florida. This dual background—scientist and grower—became his defining characteristic.
The Magnum Opus: The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms
If Paul Craft is known for one thing, it is for co-authoring the standard reference text for the hobby. Upon its release in 2003, this book filled a massive void. Prior to its publication, enthusiasts had to choose between dense scientific monographs or overly simplified gardening pamphlets.
- Co-Authors: Robert Lee Riffle (1st & 2nd Editions) and Dr. Scott Zona (2nd Edition) [2].
- Content: Cataloged nearly every known genus while providing detailed data on cold hardiness, water needs, and growth rates [2].
- Recognition: Winner of the prestigious American Horticultural Society Book Award [4].
Unlocking Cuba
While the Encyclopedia was a broad survey, Craft’s 2018 monograph, The Palms of Cuba, was a focused scientific breakthrough. Cuba is a botanical hotspot with an incredibly high rate of endemism. Craft produced the only comprehensive guide in English to all 98 taxa of palms native to Cuba [3][5], effectively "unlocking" Cuban palms (like Copernicia and Coccothrinax) for the international community.
Paradise Palms
Paul Craft’s influence extends beyond the page. He served as the Chief Design and Development Director for Paradise Palms in Delray Beach, Florida [6]. This massive, private botanical garden stands as a living testament to his expertise, demonstrating his ability to oversee the layout, planting, and management of thousands of rare species in a realized landscape [6][8].
Selected Bibliography
| Title | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms | 2003 / 2012 | Standard reference for identification [2]. |
| The Palms of Cuba | 2018 | First English monograph on Cuban flora [5]. |
| Ortho's All About Palms | 2008 | Mass-market guide for home gardeners [7]. |
Citations:
- Hachette Book Group. "Paul Craft: About the Author."
- Timber Press. "The Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms: About the Author."
- The International Palm Society. "Webinar – The Palms of Cuba." (2020).
- LibraryThing. "Awards: American Horticultural Society Book Award (2004)."
- Google Books. "The Palms of Cuba - Paul Craft."
- MarkFord.net. "Paradise Palms Garden Tour."
- Goodreads. "Ortho's All About Palms."
- The Parklander Magazine. "Private, peaceful paradise among the palms." (2025).