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Walking to the middle of the iron bridge and looking left we can see the Chusan Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei, also called the Windmill Palm) growing by the stream, two on one side and four on the other. This palm is very hardy and can be safely grown outdoors in sheltered sites in much of Britain. Since it was first introduced from China in the 1830s it has been widely planted in parks and gardens. Chusan Palms were a favourite of the Victorians and might have figured on Robert Marnock's original planting list. The large fan-shaped leaves grow on long stalks, with each leaf divided into many narrow strips and with golden-yellow flower clusters from July. The fibrous looking 'bark' on the stem is actually made up of the remains of cast off leaves and in China is used to make raincoats.
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This page last updated: 26/01/2005
