Trachycarpus fortunei

Trachycarpus fortunei is a hardy, evergreen palm valued for its strong architectural presence, forming a single fibrous trunk topped with a bold crown of fan-shaped, deep green leaves. Suited to Irish gardens, it grows best in full sun or light shade in a reasonably sheltered spot to reduce wind-tatter on the leaves. Mature plants can produce showy sprays of yellow flowers in early summer; female plants may set fruit if pollinated. Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, and in severe cold snaps consider protecting the crown; allow space for its eventual stature over time.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun or light shade

Rate of Growth: Slow

Soil: Moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Hardiness: Hardy (RHS H5)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Plant at a Glance