Trachycarpus fortunei - Chinese windmill palm

Best-known fan palm in Europe

Native to China where winters can be severe and very cold, this fan palm is the most well known and most common palm for the cooler climate. Brought to Europe over 150 years ago it has been a feature of Europe's parks and gardens. Whilst this palms main claim to fame is its incredible resistance to cold it is also an attractive palm in its own right. Trachycarpus fortunei can withstand severe cold, mature palms have been known to recover from temperatures as low as -18C. A blanket of snow is no problem for a Trachycarpus fortunei. As such, it's a great plant for beginners and enthusiasts alike!

This palm gives a fantastic impression with its rough, fibre trunk. This trunk can reach heights of approximately 10 - 12 metres (33-40 feet) high. The trunk tends to be a bit smaller at the bottom and broader near the crown.

This palm prefers cooler, temperate areas, and struggles in the tropics. It is not fussy, is easy to grow and adapts well to most situations, providing the soil is not prone to waterlogging. It can handle salty ground moderately, so Trachycarpus fortunei should have no problem surviving near the sea or ocean. All together makes for an enduring palm which has grown even in cold oceanic climates of areas. Trachycarpus Fortunei even grows on the Faroe Islands at 62°N latitude.

Initially quite slow, once it reaches trunking size growth is quite rapid, this palm tree is capable of growing up to 0.5 metre (2 feet) of trunk per year. It dislikes wind and should be planted in a wind-free part of the garden, or it will look untidy. If the garden does not have shelter from wind we strongly recommend Trachycarpus wagnerianus as an alternative.

Female fortunei plants will get flowers in summer, accompanied by blue seeds. These seeds germinate after roughly ten weeks. Germination of these seeds is generally done quite easily.

Together with Trachycarpus wagnerianus this is the easiest and most trouble free palm for our climate!