Exotic palm trees that grow in Ireland

Various plants are commonly called palms, but only a few are true palms.

Various forms of cypress are called palm because they have been widely used in Palm Sunday ceremonies, but these cypresses do not even vaguely resemble true palm. The other plant that is often called palm is the cordyline, which at least does resemble palm. It is known as cabbage palm in its native New Zealand because its leaf buds have been used as a vegetable. It has long strappy leaves and forms a tuft of foliage at the top of each branch, which is a typical palm-tree structure.

We associate exotic palms with a warm tropical climate, white sands and endless sunshine. In general, they have tall slender stems with a rounded tuft of large leaves. Most palms are tropical or sub-tropical in origin. In general, these are not able to cope with frost or prolonged cold weather. As a result, the tropical palms cannot be grown here and the only place to see them is in the Palm House at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.

But there are some plants that can tolerate cold, and only one is hardy enough to grow anywhere in Ireland, inland or near the coast. This is the Chusan palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, a fine palm tree that comes from the colder areas of Central and Eastern China and, for a palm, is unusually well adapted to withstand cold weather. While all other palms, including the palm look-alike, cordyline, succumbed to the very severe frost a couple of winters ago, the Chusan palm survived. It is also known as Chinese fan palm and hemp palm. It has large leaves in a fan shape. This palm has a shaggy trunk with layers of the old leaf bases built up over the living trunk. These layers act as insulation against cold weather and help the palm to survive.

It is prone to frost damage as a young plant, the ground-level growing point being killed, but, remarkably, the plant nearly always recovers by producing a new growing point from a dormant bud at soil level. Strangely, these secondary buds never grow out unless the growing point is killed, and the tree is almost always single-stemmed.

Although its stem is a bit hairy, this is a handsome tree and it adds an exotic touch, without being too obtrusive.

It looks good when planted near other garden trees because it adds a touch of winter greenery. The rounded top and broad grassy leaves make a good contrast with bare winter shrubs and trees. It has a certain elegance and style with its upright growth, clear stem as it get older, and rounded top of fan leaves.

Chusan palm grows easily in any good soil that drains well and is not waterlogged in winter. It is very wind-resistant, as are most palms, but its leaves can take a battering and split. It likes a sunny spot and will not be happy in significant shade, a few hours shadow is alright.

Occasionally, the tree will produce a large flower head of small yellowish or brownish flowers. These are even more rarely followed by black seeds, which germinate readily. In warm holiday destinations, this palm produces flowers and seeds every year.

Apart from the Chusan palm, there is the European fan palm, Chamaerops humilis, a low bushy true palm that survives well in milder areas.

The Canary Island date palm was killed in many places, surviving in a few mild gardens where the frost was not as severe. Other palms, such as butia and brahea, at best marginal here, were wiped out. So if you like the exotic look of a palm, the Chusan palm is the one to get.

Hyacinths in pots

Hyacinths in pots make their appearance at this time of year. These are specially prepared bulbs brought on for seasonal colour and their wonderful sweet scent. They were potted up in September and anybody who did so will soon be reaping the rewards. But if you did not get around to potting up bulbs, most garden centres have bulbs in flower for sale.

In many cases, they also sell hyacinths in pots for flowering outdoors during the spring months. These can be used in a variety of ways – in beds and borders in little groups for colour, or in containers, window boxes and tubs. They last very well in flower outdoors, longer than inside, and the bulbs can be planted out in the garden after flowering and, very often, flower again in subsequent years. But watch out for slug damage in spring.

THIS WEEK

Fruit, veg & herbs

Fruit tree pruning can be carried out, except on plums. Fruit trees and bushes can be planted if the soil is not too wet. Overgrown herb plants can be cut back or divided and re-planted. Compost heaps can be dug out and the compost spread for later digging. Control weeds on vegetable ground.

Trees, Shrubs & Roses

Check young deciduous trees for bad forking habits and retain only the single strongest lead shoot. Delay tree planting if the ground is very wet, because the ground drainage can be affected in the root zone and this can lead to heavy losses. Roses can be pruned at any time.

Lawns

It can be very damaging to the soil structure of a lawn to run a mower over its surface when it is wet, but there will be occasional spells of dry weather when the ground will firm up enough to mow, and this can be done occasionally to keep lawns neat. Trim or recut the edges at borders too. Flowers

Put a few pansies or cyclamen for colour in containers, or use some evergreen plants to give life to the garden close to the house entrance. If the ground is wet, do not undertake division and replanting. Many flowers react very badly to being moved into cold, wet ground.

Greenhouse & house plants

Ensure that house plants are not too close to a source of heat and are not left behind curtains on a cold night. Clear out the greenhouse and wash the glass inside and out to increase the penetration of light. Water sparingly and do not feed as it is not necessary.