Windmill Palm Trachycarpus fortunei
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Trachycarpus wagnerianus
- Phonetic Spelling
- trak-ee-KAR-pus for-TOO-nee-eye
- Description
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The windmill palm is a perennial member of the palm family (Arecaceae) native to subtropical and temperate mountain forests of China. It is one of the more cold-hardy members of the family, and as such, is a popular choice for bringing a tropical flair to temperate landscape. The genus name is derived from Greek meaning "rough fruit," referring to the irregularly shaped fruits. The species epithet honors famed 19th-century Scottish plant hunter Robert Fortune, who first introduced the palm to Europe.
Although it can be grown in full sun, a location that provides some shade and protection from strong or cold winds can be beneficial. When no protection from strong wind is provided, the leaves tend to tear. The damage is not lethal, but it is unsightly. This palm is moderately salt tolerant.
In the wild, the windmill palm can reach 20 to 40 feet tall and sometimes taller. In cultivation, it typically tops out around 10 feet tall. It makes a great specimen plant or is effective in small groups. It has a solitary trunk that appears shaggy and hairy with leftover dried petioles from shed leaves. Fibers from the leaves are often used in weaving. Propagation can be accomplished from seed, however both male and female plants are necessary for seed production.
It can be grown in large containers and overwintered indoors in colder climates. Use it to frame an entryway or garden path. It is an excellent choice for an Asian garden, a tropical garden, a winter garden or a children’s garden.
Quick ID
- Petioles finely toothed
- Leaves palmately divided
- Leaf segments single-fold
- The trunk clothed in long brown fibers (the remains of the leafbases)
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. They are susceptible to scale and palm aphids. Some issues of root rot may appear as well as yellowing disease and leaf spots. For a palm, it has excellent winter hardiness, but it may suffer in the coldest locations. Small plants are susceptible to deer browsing.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden Coastal Garden - Tropical Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Souto Sun Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Hayes Stiffie'
stiff leaflets - 'Wagnerianus'
Smaller, stiffer leaves than the wild-type species. Very popular.
- 'Hayes Stiffie'
- 'Hayes Stiffie', 'Wagnerianus'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Hayes Stiffie'
stiff leaflets - 'Wagnerianus'
Smaller, stiffer leaves than the wild-type species. Very popular.
- 'Hayes Stiffie'
- 'Hayes Stiffie', 'Wagnerianus'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trachycarpus
- Species:
- fortunei
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In China, this plant is often used in the making of rope, brooms, mat, and cloth.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and eastern China.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dark blue to almost black fleshy fruits appear in the form of drupes. Each contain 1 seed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers appear on drooping panicles that can grow to 2' long. The female flowers are followed by dark blue, lumpy drupes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are fan-shaped to circular, palmately dissected, each having 15-19 segments which are linear, single-fold, and slightly drooping. They can grow up to 3' long. The undersides have a glaucous color, covered with a grayish-waxy coating. The petiole may have some fine teeth.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is fibrous. The trunk is covered with dark brown, hair-like fibers that originate from the old leaf sheaths. The trunk will typically measure under 10" in diameter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Salt
