Palms and trees for the cool garden
General palm care
Most like full sun, plus can be slow to establish. Although drought tolerant most enjoy summer water. We use a fertilizer program of: early spring feeding= 17-3-6 with micros, late spring= 16-16-16, plus a drink of magnesium sulfate (epson salts) at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water in early spring. The epson salts help with the yellow look palms can get.
Winter
In very cool temperate zone's winter protection may be necessary for the first several years until some girth is formed in the trunk. Keeping the top portions of the trunk from freezing solid is very important; as most palms with solitary trunks only have one growing point and that would be the upper portion. Chamaerops humilis would be an exception as it is a palm with multi-trunk's which could conceivably come back from the ground. A deep layer of snow would of course be ideal (doesn't happen here) but a simple wrap of layers of burlap, old sleeping bags and the such have been employed successfully. Ideally the plant's are not stressed going into winter, we incorporate a fall feeding of 0-10-10.
Descriptions and Prices
Chamaerops humilis
Often called European fan palm or Mediterranean fan palm. A monotypic genus from Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and all the way east to Malta. Med's may well be the only multi-trunked palm for temperate climates. The petioles are heavily-armed with hook- shaped spines. We have one that has done quite nicely in part shade, but one would consider also using Chamaerops humilis in full sun applications. This is also a great pot palm. I have seen a reference Of Chamaerops humilis handling as low as -10 f but would not expect it was a juvenile plant. Height can reach as much as 20 feet but typically 12 feet appears the norm, and almost as wide counting in the offsets.
Price: 15.00 for #1 :(, $40.00 for #5 :) #15 $140.00 :)
Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera The "Blue Mediterranean Fan Palm" originates at about 5500 ft high in the Atlas mountains in Morocco. Like the type species is able to handle harsh conditions including cold, heat, and drought. Different from the type form in that the leaves are some what pale blue.
Price: 12.00 :(
Trachycarpus
Trachycarpus fortunei: Often still labeled Chamaerops excelsa in CA nurseries. The common names of Chinese Windmill palm and Chusan palm would be the more modern vernacular. Originally from China. T. fortunei is named after the plant collector Robert Fortune. So far it is the tallest palm we can grow in temperate climates. There is one close to us that is about 37 feet tall. The trunks are covered with brown fiber and are not usually all that big in diameter. The broad, fan-shaped leaves are about 4 feet across and heavily dissected. Generally accepted to be hardy to 0 f possibly a little below.
Price: 15.00 for #1 :), $40.00 for #5, $140.00 for #15 :)
Trachycarpus latisectus: "The Windamere Palm" hails from the Sikkim region of the Himalayas. Previously known as Trachycarpus sikkimensis and only identified recently . Mature plants have large, leathery leaves and most note ably a thick, bare trunk making it possibly the hardiest smooth trunked palm. Collection site suggest good hardiness but time is needed. We have left a large number out this winter un protected, although the test would not indicate true tolerances.
Price: 15.00 :)
Trachycarpus takil: Originating in the north central Indian Himalayas Trachycarpus takil has the common name of Kumaon Fan Palm. Quite a lot of hype about this some what rare palm (it appears to be nearly extinct in the wild) suggest it to be the hardiest and fastest to grow of the hardy palms. While the collection sites would indicate this may be true, we feel before we make such statements a lot more information needs to be assembled. Growing them from seed at this point the speed of growth appears to be the same as Trachycarpus fortunei, and so far have survived the same conditions. But until a T. fortunei dies and a T. takil lives it will be hard for us to make the statement that T. takil is hardier than T. fortunei.
Price: 15.00 :)
Trachycarpus wagnerianus: Very similar in looks to Trachycarpus fortunei (still argued it is simply a form of) but somewhat shorter at maturity with smaller, stiff fronds that hold up quite well in windy sites.
Price: 15.00 :)