Trachycarpus fortunei – stripped trunk
Chusan Palm, Windmill Palm
From: £499.95
Certainly one of our favourite palms, Trachycarpus fortunei has become so beloved because of how well it thrives in the cooler temperate climates of UK gardens.
The Windmill Palm is an exceptionally hardy evergreen tree that forms a single hairy trunk and attractive large palmate leaves, which form an impressive crown as it grows. In summer it produces drooping panicles of yellowish flowers which add to its exotic appearance.
We are one of the few nurseries offering Trachycarpus with stripped trunks. This is an aesthetic practice that dates back over 1,000 years and is popular in China. Hardiness won’t be affected in most areas of the U.K. mainland.
FREE DELIVERY FOR ONLINE ORDERS*
*(parcel orders over £60.00 and pallet deliveries over £350.00)
Order today for shipping on Monday 29th April.
Plant Biography
Native to South Central China, these palms grow in a range of environments – from exposed wooded hillsides to forests where young plants live in low light conditions until they mature. It’s from these variable roots that the Chusan Palm is hardy enough to thrive in our climate.
As well as its common names of Windmill or Chusan Palm, you may hear Trachycarpus fortunei referred to as ‘Trachys/Trachies’ for short. This part of its name comes from the Greek word ‘trachys’, which means rough, referring to the fibrous trunk. Together with the Greek word ‘karpos’, meaning fruit, and the species named to honour Scottish horticulturist Robert Fortune – and you have Trachycarpus fortunei.
This is a perfect palm to bring a classical tropical appearance to any UK garden with a hardy palm that can survive in a range of lighting conditions, and stays attractive all year round. They work well as individual specimens or in small groups, can frame an entrance or doorway, or even kept in a large container.
Expert Tip
Care & Size Guidance
Trachycarpus fortunei performs best in part shade, but it is still happy with full sun. Planted in full sun in the ground, Windmill palms will grow very fast, whilst in a pot in the shade they will grow more slowly. The most important consideration is to try and choose a location for it that is protected from winter winds.
Of all the arborescent (trunked) palms, T. fortunei has the best winter hardiness, with mature plants surviving down to -12C.
When happy, this palm grows 30 centimetres or more of trunk per season.
Read more about hardy palms
Essential FAQ Garden Palm Trees
All the important questions you’ve always wanted to ask are here answered for you by experts.
Read article
Top Five Hardy Palms for the UK
If you’ve just discovered the wonderful world of hardy exotic gardening then you might be wondering what palm trees you can grow in the UK climate. Here’s our list of the top five that we recommend.
Read article
Palm Perfection 101: How to look after your garden palm trees
Most palms need tropical or subtropical temperatures, but there are some suitable for planting outdoors in the British Isles.
Hardy palms are invaluable as structural plants in tropical-style gardens and look effective when planted with bananas, bamboos and New Zealand flax.
Read article
How to treat cold-damaged palms in the UK
When it comes to cold damaged palms, the old adage is true: prevention is better than cure! If at all possible, protect palms from freezing temperatures in the first place with horticultural fleece. That said, if you have a palm that has suffered with cold damage, keep reading to find out what you can do to give it the best chance of recovery and survival.
Read article
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.