Trachycarpus fortunei - Chusan Palm - Plant in 9 cm Pot.

A fantastic plant and especially if you are looking to create that tropical/Mediterranean effect. Native to Mynamar and China, this beautiful palm was introduced (for the second time ) in 1849 by Robert Fortune and has been granted the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Large deeply toothed palm fronds are arranged in a fan shape around the top of the plant and the fibrous trunk is thickly clothed with the old leaf bases. Terminal de-curved panicles of yellow flowers are produced in summer on mature plants, generally those with in excess of 1 mtr of clear stem. Dark shiny blue black seeds can be produced in abundance. This is one of the only palms hardy enough to survive in the UK without protection however the larger the plant the hardier they are. Will grow well in most fertile soil that does not waterlog. A location sheltered from harsh winds will reduce damage to the fronds. The warmer and sunnier the location the quicker they will grow and the larger the head of leaves. When growing in a pot use a good quality compost to which a controlled release fertiliser of 8-9 month duration has been added, to ensure sufficient nutrient. Although these are very drought tolerant once established, we find that in winter the compost should remain just moist but never dry and in the main growing period these palms like plenty of water for maximum growth.