European Fan Palm – Plant Profile and Landscaping Uses
Chamaerops Humilis or ‘European Fan Palm is a native palm from the Mediterranean, a hardy clump forming palm with triangular fan-shaped leaves producing yellow flowers in summer.
This is a low growing palm which lends itself to many landscaping applications. As it is clumping it can work well as a background plant in tropical look gardens. An as it tolerate the cold it can do this as far south as Melbourne.
They will reach a height of around 5m, and a single plant would spread over 2m, however they are usually clumping so the spread is often twice this.
Care and Pruning
- Plant Type – Palm Tree
- Country of origin – Mediterranean area
- Common Name – European fan palm
- Growth Rate – Slow.
- Evergreen / Deciduous – Evergreen
- Soil – Well drained humus rich, some extra moisture through summer, however reasonably
- drought tolerant once established.
- Position – Full sum to partial shade
- Height – 5m
- Width – 2m Clumps to 6m
- Habit – Upright clumping
Landscaping Uses
Use as a background plant in tropical look gardens. Once establish Chamaerops humilis can be cleared of older dead foliage and will have interesting clear trunks with a wide grown. This is when the plants look their best in many open landscaping applications.
Some wholesalers can provide mature specimens with developed trunks.
Varieties / Cultivars
Chamaerops humilis varieties
- Chamaerops humilis var cerifera – The silver European Fan Palm. Slow growing to 6m, silvery grey blue foliage. – Not readily available
- Chamaerops humilis argentea – Strong blue green foliage – Not readily available
Available from the following Nurseries
Clays Rd Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Wholesale Palm Trees. Large range of palm trees in 45L bags at 5-6 years of age from 1-4 meters depending on variety. Available from QLD to Victoria.
www.palmsonline.com.au