Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera - Dwarf Fan Palm

Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera is one of the hardiest varieties of the Dwarf Palm, and may be the one with the most beautiful foliage. Native to Europe and small in size, it can withstand temperatures of around -12 °C (10.4 °F) , for short periods, or even longer in very well-drained soil. The palmate foliage is very ornamental, with a beautiful grey-blue colour, and is arranged in a fan shape at the top of multiple stems emerging from a trunk covered in fibres. It is a plant adapted to a semi-arid climate, very well suited to drought and poor soils, and should be planted in full sun.

A slow-growing shrub of the Arecaceae family, highly appreciated as an ornamental plant, Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera, or var. argentea, is mainly native to Morocco, where it grows in dry habitats, on sandy or rocky soil, by the sea but also up to 1,200 m (3937 ft) in altitude, enduring snow and rather cold temperatures in winter. The plant, described as clumping, produces multiple stems from a single base, forming an upright bush with an arched and spreading habit. Its adult dimensions will reach around 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height and 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in width, less if grown in pots. The "trunks" are brown and 25 cm (9.8 in) wide in mature specimens, and covered in layers of fibres and leaf scars. The leaves (fronds), elegant and deeply divided, are composed of small, narrow, rigid segments, 30 cm (11.8 in) long, radiating from the petiole armed with sharp spines. Their colour is a steel blue-grey. This plant is generally (but not always) dioecious, meaning that male and female individuals are usually distinct. The fragrant flowers appear in late spring, in the form of a spadix surrounded by a 30 cm (11.8 in) long spathe, containing numerous small beige to yellow flowers, male or female.

This palm tree, along with Trachycarpus fortunei, is one of the easiest to acclimatise. When planted in the ground, it can be placed in isolation, not far from a swimming pool, for example, along with banana trees or yuccas, in an exotic-inspired setting. However, this variety, which is very resistant to drought, will express its full potential in a dry garden or a large rockery. It can be a bit difficult to combine due to its strong personality, but it can still be planted in groups of 3 specimens and surrounded by a carpet of thyme, a sowing of Californian Poppies, or a bed of Felicia. A contemporary garden will adopt it above a tide of white pebbles. It will make a magnificent specimen on a terrace or balcony, planted in a carefully chosen large container.