Chamaerops humilis

In the deep midwinter, evergreen trees and shrubs come into their own, and are revealed in their full beauty. Included in this category are the palms. Up until very recently the only palm tree seen in the Botanical Gardens was the Chusan Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei. This has been known to be hardy for many years in British gardens, although said to require a sheltered spot. A specimen is growing at the top of the Main Borders, together with another species, Trachycarpus wagnerianus, on the opposite side of the border.

More recently planted in the Mediterranean climate garden, is the dwarf fan palm, Chamaerops humilis. Although said to require a warm, sheltered position it is obviously thriving, having been planted in 2013.

Chamaerops humilis is a miniature palm originating from Southern Europe, including Italy, Spain, Sardinia and Sicily, and across the Mediterranean, on the coasts of Algeria and Morocco. It was first introduced by Philip Miller, an English botanist, in 1731, and has grown in the southern parts of England and Ireland for many years. It is the only palm native to Europe, and rarely exceeds 1.5m high. It has large leaves which are deeply divided and beautifully fan-shaped, which gives it great stature.

Growing close by, and intertwined with the palm, are the delicate, fragrant flowers of the Portuguese heath, Erica lusitanica. This elegant shrub, native to south west Europe, was introduced early in the nineteenth century. It flowers in abundance, normally in March, or even in January and February in mild seasons.