Windmill Palm

The Windmill Palm or Trachycarpus fortunei are one of the most popular palm trees grown in gardens. The Windmill Palm is regarded as cold hardy and is therefore useful in cooler states. Suitable to grow in containers on patios with a single trunk this ornamental palm tree has a growth rate of a little less than 1 1/2 ft a year in good conditions. Windmill Palms are popular in Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and California

Windmill palms are one of the best palm trees for cold climates. Probably as far as Zone 6. So exactly how much cold can Trachycarpus Fortunei or the 'Windmill palm' tree take? In Switzerland they grow them in the sheltered valleys and as it is originally from Eastern China it is used to cold winters. It produces its own insulating (hairy) trunk, is salt tolerant and in warmer areas grows well in shade.

Care and Growing Conditions

The Windmill Palm will reach around 10 - 15 ft (3 - 5 m) depending on conditions and is also known as the 'Chusan Palm', this is not really a tree suited to windy conditions as the foliage tends to be damaged. A well drained soil is essential as it does not like wet feet. They have a fibrous root system and are suited to growing in pots or containers.

In summary, a well drained sheltered sunny position with deep soil is best although they will cope with part shade. Windmill Palms have a trunk covered with a fibre like covering, a symetrical head of foliage and are a useful landscaping plant for around pools and patios as wellas in commercial situations.