Trachycarpus fortunei - Chinese Windmill Palm

The Chinese windmill palm tree, or Trachycarpus fortunei, can withstand temperatures as low as -16° C to -18° C (3.2° F to -0.4° F)!

Originally from mountainous areas of China and Japan, Trachycarpus fortunei has long been mistakenly called Chamaerops excelsa. Also known as Chinese windmill palm and Chinese hemp palm, it owes these names to the thick fibre that covers its trunk (called a stipe) and protects it from extreme cold. This fibre, widely used in rural life in Asia, has many uses, including the making of carpets, brooms, ropes, roofing, and privacy panels, among others.

A slow-growing shrubby plant, the Chinese palm tree can reach a height of 8 m to 10 m (26. ft to 33 ft). Its evergreen, dark green fan-shaped foliage is composed of 30 to 40 elongated segments and measures 60 cm to 1 m (23.6 in to 3.3 ft) in width. It produces 5 to 9 new leaves per year. The flowers, in clusters, are golden yellow in male individuals and cream yellow in females. Both male and female plants are necessary for seed production. The shiny seeds are incredibly decorative. They are about the size of a small grape and are black with a blue reflection. It is not uncommon to see spontaneous seedlings at the base of adult female plants, which can be mistaken for weed leaves.

Easy to grow, Trachycarpus fortunei likes rich, light, and moist soils, but stagnant water can kill it. It prefers sun or partial shade and protected exposures, especially from cold winds, with west being the best exposure.