I went to visit my friend Palmer’s gardens while I was home. There was much to see. I call him Palmer because he has an unusual collection of palm trees.

I was particularly interested in this one that was blooming. It is a Trachycarpus fortunei. It is also called a Chinese windmill palm, Chusan palm and Hemp palm.

I have not had much opportunity to see palm blooms upclose. The form of these opening blooms was unusual and complex.

These palms are evergreen and also dioecious, which means separate sexes on separate trees.

This one is cold hardy. Palmer says this one has survived a period of 7° F. I wish I had had more time during the visit to discuss his other palms. This is one of the hardiest palms. My research claimed it as a Zone 5.

I promised to return when a particular tree is blooming next month. I will take better notes then.

Palmer’s other passion is weeping trees. Stay tuned to see several of those and an amazing array of azaleas.

FLOW in snow on St. Patrick’s Day