Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm)

Extremely hardy, award-winning Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm) is an evergreen palm forming a small tree with a terminal tuft of deeply divided, fan-shaped, dark green leaves, up to 3 ft. wide (1 m). They rise atop a stout trunk that is densely covered with hairy black fibers from old leaf sheaths. Incredibly easy to grow, Windmill Palm is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. It produces large, dangling sprays of small, light yellow flowers in summer which give way to dark blue fruits. Wind, drought, and salt tolerant, Trachycarpus fortunei is quite cold-hardy and can survive short periods at 5ºF (-15ºC). It features a strong architectural presence all year round, thanks to its unique and attractive evergreen foliage.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows with an upright habit up to 8-10 ft. tall (240-300 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
• Easily grown in fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Needs protection from strong or cold drying winds and will need protection from hard winter frosts. Mulch around the base of the plant in winter. Drought tolerant.
• Great for beds and borders, containers, and Mediterranean gardens.
• No serious disease or pest issues.
• Propagate by seed sown at not less than 77°F (25ºC), but male and female plants are required for seed production to occur.
• Native to subtropical and temperate mountain forests of China