Fancy something exotic in the garden ? (Chusan Palm)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Chusan Palm
Date:	11/07/07 (289 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A plant for the office

Disadvantages: grows huge

Fancy something exotic in the garden? A touch of the orient. Or maybe you want a palm tree for your jungle conservatory; perhaps you want a palm to greet your visitors in the office foyer.

If so I think that Trachycarpus fortunei is for you. This is also called the Chusan or Windmill Palm

This plant comes from china. It is very cold tolerant will survive temperature of -17c and is suitable to grow outside in southern Britain. I have seen several outside on my visits to Cornwall. Apparently I have heard it grows well outside in Ireland too.

In its native lands Trachycarpus fortunei grows to 40 foot about 12 metres. So do be careful if you grow it in your house as it grows fast and you may not be able to get it out of your house through the door.
This plant can take up to 100 years to reach its full majestic height .

So what does a Trachycarpus fortunei look like?

This palm grows with a trunk that is covered in a grey brown matted hairy fibre it can look quite shaggy. As it gets older this can come off and reveal a smooth ringed trunk. The trunk gets quite thick and can grow to 6 foot/ 2 metres in diameter when fully grown
The green leaves are large fan like I can maybe describe it like long hands with fingers spread out. (palmate)

The plant flowers are yellow. You get a male or a female palm so you need both to produce fertile seeds. In late summer the female will have purple blue fruits.

Trachycarpus fortunei likes full sun but protect it from the wind and it will look good all year round.
This plant does like a well drained soil it does not like to have soggy wet feet (roots) however you must keep it watered, but it will tolerate some drought time.

The price of Trachycarpus fortunei will depend on its size one 100cm will be about £15 one about 200cm £149. I have seen a 12 foot/380 cm tall one for £400

This plant is available from garden centres on and off line a few web sites that are offering it are below.

http://www.easytropicals.com/
http://www.dicksonia.com/
http://www.seagravenurseries.co.uk/

Trachycarpus fortunei Can be hired/rented for your office location I found http://www.realoasis.com/Floral%20Hire/Exotic offering this service.
So make your garden, sitting room or office tropical by growing one of these.

Summary: An exotic palm plant from China