20 years ago I bought a Trachycarpus fortunei. There was never a question of why or where-it was the must-have plant of the time and I had to have it. It cost a considerable £100.00 and I was over the moon when I carried it into my garden. I situated it into a dull, shaded corner on a mound,which had been there historically, thinking it would make a marvellous focal point. The wonderful thing about trachycarpus is that although happier in the sun, they are fine even in full shade-just a little bit slower in growth. They adapt to most soil conditions, provided they are not waterlogged and can tolerate very cold winters. An ideal palm in many ways.
Well, of course all would have been fine if my thoughtless location had had a path, a view through a hedge or a reason at all for walking into that miserable corner. Over the years I contemplated improving the whole look with a tropical planting scheme, but location and soil though fine for Trachy ( as he came to be known) were totally unsuited for such an exotic venture. Further it was on the edge of my archetypal english orchard.
Now 20 years down the line, I am constructing a Victorian greenhouse which is ideal for the area. It is functional, harmonises with an orchard and is of a size and stature to make that dull corner a feature to walk to. But my poor Trachy has to go. At 5 metres high now its probably worth £700.00, but has no home to go to.
Vita Sackville-West once said if the plant was in the wrong place, get rid of it. There's no room for sentimentality in a garden. Well, thats true, but nevertheless it is extremely distressing to see a plant nurtured over the years, hacked down.
So my new new year's resolution is never to plant randomly again.
