Architectural Plants. Christine Shaw

plants are sometimes given a separate identity, namely Chamaerops cerifera.

      Chamaerops humilis is the only Mediterranean palm that really thrives in colder climates. Its natural habitats include Spain, Morocco and Sicily. A tough, hardy palm, it can be grown in a variety of conditions. Because of its density, it is able to shrug off strong winds and salty gales without developing a battered and shredded appearance, as happens with many palms grown in exposed positions. This makes it a perfect choice for any coastal garden.

      It is extremely slow-growing – a twenty-year-old specimen is unlikely to be more than 1.2m (4ft) tall and 1.2m (4ft) across-which makes it suitable for containers. Chamaerops humilis is unfussy about light levels. A sunny planting position would produce the fastest growth, and older plants would eventually produce little yellow flowers, followed by fat bunches of large, glossy, orange berries. Light shade is also perfectly acceptable, where the leaves take on a deeper, prettier green hue. Chamaerops humilis can even cope with conditions indoors, where light levels are quite poor. However, without a few months outside during the summer, new growth would be minimal.

      Mature plants start to form little trunks that are usually hidden among the foliage. These are often rather attractive and can be made visible by trimming away some of the external, lower leaves. If one of the central trunks happens to be very straight, then all the outside stems can be sliced off with a saw or sharp knife, to leave just one central, more traditional-looking, single-stemmed palm tree. Any side stems with a piece of root attached can be used for propagation.

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      After years of careful pruning, a handsome single-stemmed version can often be achieved.

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      The exceptionally slow growth of Chamaerops humilis makes it ideal for a large container.

      This method of propagation produces decentsized plants far more quickly than the usual seed-grown method.

      Chamaerops humilis grown outside in very cold and wet conditions can sometimes develop chocolate-brown spots on the leaves. These can spread throughout the entire plant if the disease is not dealt with quickly by removing affected leaves and drenching the whole plant with a systemic fungicide.

       Cycas revoluta

       Sago Palm

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      Cycas revoluta is slow-growing enough to stay in a large container for many years.

      Cycas revoluta is difficult to categorize. Its appearance is somewhere between a palm and a tree fern, although it is actually neither. As it tends to resemble the former slightly more, it fits rather well into this chapter.

      This primitive plant has been around for several hundred million years. Its natural habitat is nowadays restricted to China and parts of the East Indies. Cycas revoluta is one of the world’s slowest-growing plants, taking about fifty years to reach 1.5m (5ft) tall. Because of this, it is a good contender for growing in a terracotta pot in the conservatory.

      Its base is similar to that of a coconut, and from this will emerge palm-like fronds covered in a waxy coating, giving it an almost artificial look. The number of new leaves sent out each year could be anything from nil to thirty, depending on its mood, but the year’s growth is produced within a few weeks, rather than gradually throughout a whole season.

      Crowing Cycas revoluta is a bit of a challenge. It is almost best neglected, as it is tempting to fuss over such a special plant and give it far more attention than it requires. It is very easy to overwater, and the leaves will show their displeasure quite quickly by turning yellow. If this happens, there is little to be done except to cut them off and learn from the experience. Hopefully, the following year new, fresh green ones will sprout once more from the base.

      Cycas revoluta can be grown outside only in very mild areas that rarely get any frost. If your garden is so favoured, plant in a sunny, well-drained spot. In colder climates, keep it in a shady part of the conservatory where direct sunlight through the glass cannot scorch it. Water sparingly until new fronds start to emerge, then water regularly until growth stops. Apart from a light dose of nitrogen in late spring, the only care needed is an occasional wipe over with a cloth to keep the leaves free from dust, and periodic inspections for scale insects.

      An important point worth noting is that plants must never be moved when new fronds are unfurling because this upsets their growing pattern as they try to follow the sun’s direction. Instead of being symmetrical and curved, the leaves can end up crooked and twisted.

       Jubaea chilensis

       Chilean Wine Palm

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      Jubaea chilensis is a massive palm with a regal presence.

      A huge, vast tree that has the thickest trunk of any palm. The wondrous sight of a mature plant can bring a tear to the eye – in the world of palms, its majesty is unrivalled.

      The trunk, which can grow up to 1.5m (5ft) in diameter, is pale grey in colour with a rumpled appearance, making it look a bit like the leg of an enormous elephant. Large, waxy fronds of foliage arch out from the top of the trunk.

      This tree is painfully slow-growing, and buying anything less than 1.8m (6ft) tall to start with requires patience and perseverance. In its native Chile, it can reach 18m (60ft), but in cooler climates it is unlikely to exceed 9m (30ft), even after a hundred years.

      Jubaea chilensis used to be a familiar sight all over Chile but now, alas, it is a rare and protected species. Its exploitation for the production of palm wine – the trunk of a mature plant contains about 450 litres (100 gallons) of the sugary sap that is the main ingredient of this alcoholic beverage – has led to its sad decline. Unfortunately, the harvesting of this sap results in the death of the tree.

      Propagation is from the palm’s miniature edible coconuts. Seedlings and young plants are very tender, but they become surprisingly hardy as they mature.

      Giving this palm perfect growing conditions will help to speed up its growth a little. Rich, moist, fertile soil always gives the best results. It also grows faster in a warm, sun-baked spot, although being in a lightly shaded position will do no harm. The surrounding soil should be kept moist for the first couple of years after planting. The roots can then usually find their own water supply once established. Younger plants could spend the first few years of their life in a container but they should never be allowed to dry out.

       Phoenix canariensis

       Canary Island Date Palm

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      The large, elegant fronds of Phoenix canariensis add a touch of the tropics to any garden.

      This beautiful, shapely palm is extremely popular with enthusiasts of architectural plants – it seems to sum up everything that is exotic in the gardening world. Massive, arching fronds explode out of what looks like a huge, thick pineapple. The foliage appears lush and soft as it swishes around in the wind, conjuring up images of