Mediterranean (European) Fan Palms (Chamaerops
humilis) have beauty, ruggedness, versatility,
cold hardiness and drought resistance. Cold
hardy Mediterranean Fan Palm trees are also fairly fast growing
when supplied adequate moisture and fertilizer.
Mediterranean (European) Fan Palm Trees (Chamaerops
humilis) Overview
Mediterranean Fan palm trees' leaves are
arranged in a symmetrical crown that can reach 8
to 10 feet wide. Mediterranean Fan palm trees
have:
- Triangular, fan shaped leaves
- Leaves ranging in color from blue-green
to gray-green to grey-yellow.
- Multiple trunks surrounding the main trunk
in more mature plants
Cold Hardy Mediterranean Fan Palms Description
The Mediterranean
fan palm trees form clumps than can grow up to 15' in
height. The triangular, fan-shaped leaves grow to
about 20-24" long by 24" wide. They are deeply divided
into multiple segments that are themselves split
at the tip and they are supported on 3-4' stems.
Cold hardy California Fan palm trees are an extremely variable plant both in color
(the leaves range from blue-green to gray-green
to yellow-green) and in shape. Some plants form
suckers more freely than others to become very shrubby
plants that may reach 15' in width. Other individuals
can be seen that are almost dwarf growing just 5'
tall by 4' wide. These days it is popular to remove
all but a few of the suckers and to prune the leaves
to form a cluster of clear-trunked "mini" palms.
This small, multi-stemmed, hardy Mediterranean Fan palm is the only one native to Europe, and is hardier than most palms. The curved, clumping, short trunks and gray-green, fan-shaped leaves, borne thickly in a bushy head, make a stunning sculptural element in a garden or patio containers. The finetextured fronds make the palm stand out from other plants in the landscape. Leaf color on individual plants ranges from light green through silver. Although growth rate is slow, it is well worth the wait since even small plants will stand out nicely in almost any landscape.
Mediterranean (European) Fan Palm General Information
Scientific name: Chamaerops humilis
Pronunciation: ku-MEE-rops HEW-mil-liss
Common name(s): European Fan Palm
Family: Palmae
Plant type: tree; shrub
USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: specimen; container or above-ground planter; near a deck or patio; foundation; border; mass planting; accent; suitable for growing indoors
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
European Fan Palms Description
Height: 8 to 15 feet
Spread: 6 to 10 feet
Plant habit: upright; irregular outline or silhouette
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: fine
European Fan Palm Foliage
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: lobed
Leaf shape: star-shaped
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: more than 36 inches
Leaf color: silver/gray; blue or blue-green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Mediterranean Fan Palm Tree Flower
Flower color: yellow
Flower characteristic: spring flowering
Mediterranean Fan Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: showy; typically multi-trunked or clumping stems; can be trained to grow with a short, single trunk
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Mediterranean Fan Palms Usage
Cold hardy Mediterranean Fan Palm trees are as versatile
as beautiful. With the leaves trimmed up to
clear the trunk it makes a beautiful specimen plant
- a natural sculpture to grace your patio
or entryway. Unpruned, Chamaerops
humilis assume an attractive
shrubby form. Use them as a screens or plant several
side by side to form barriers. Planted in groupings
they will accent that hard-to-garden, bare corner
of your yard. Mediterranean Fan Palm trees are excellent
in containers and urns.
Pests and Diseases
Mediterranean (European) Fan Palm Pests and Diseases
No diseases are of major concern.
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