Veitchia merrillii - Manila Palm

Veitchia merrillii (syn. Adonidia merrillii), is more commonly known as the Manila Palm. It is a beautiful plant whose silhouette perfectly evokes the image of a palm tree. It bears a single and straight trunk, where a bouquet of large intense green fern leaves flourishes. Frost-sensitive, this species should be cultivated in pots or large containers, which allows it to be protected from the cold in winter. With modest and slow growth, the Manila palm is an excellent candidate for decorating a conservatory or a very bright interior not too heated in winter.

Veitchia merrillii belongs to the Arecaceae family. It originates from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Borneo, and has naturalised in the West Indies. It is known as the 'Christmas Palm' because it bears fruit during that time of year. This species of humid tropical climates does not tolerate frost, but it adapts well to indoor cultivation as long as winter temperatures do not drop below 10°C (50°F) and the atmosphere remains somewhat humid. Young plants take some time to establish themselves, after which growth accelerates. In the ground, the Manila palm can reach over 4.5m (15ft) in height, but it will not exceed 2m (7ft) in all directions if cultivated in a pot indoors or in a greenhouse.

Veitchia merrillii slowly develops a single trunk, called a stipe, which is grey in colour and strongly ringed with prominent leaf scars. At the top of this stipe, a beautiful trailing crown of leaves develops. It is composed of 12 to 15 large pinnate leaves, reaching 2m (7ft) in length, curving downwards. The leaf is divided into 40 to 62 lanceolate leaflets, regularly arranged in a single plane. They are slightly pendulous. Their colour is dark green on both sides. Once dead, the leaf detaches from the stipe and falls to the ground. Flowering occurs in summer, on mature plants aged 10 to 11 years, under favourable cultivation conditions. It takes the form of arching and branching inflorescences, reaching 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) in length, emerging below the leaves. Each inflorescence has white flowers that will produce ovoid fruits with a beak, measuring 2cm (1in) in length and displaying a decorative bright red colour.

Veitchia merrillii is an architectural plant that will make a statement wherever it is planted. It tolerates container cultivation very well and can be taken out onto a patio or balcony from May to September, after an acclimatisation period. Position it in a prominent spot, initially exposing it to partial shade so that it gradually gets used to the sun. Like all palm trees, it is difficult to pair with other plants, due to its strong personality. Surround it with sculptural, sober, and colourful phormium, with precise and geometric agaves, or with Cordyline, for example.