Description
If you are also planning to add an exotic charm to your outdoor space, the Windmill Palm is an excellent choice. This graceful tree is known for its resilience and timeless beauty. It has fan-like fronds that instantly add a style statement to any landscape.
Native to Eastern Asia, this cold hardy Windmill Palm is also resistant to pests and other plant diseases, making it an ideal choice for those looking for an easy-to-care-for cultivar. Additionally, before you add this tropical genus to your garden, it is ideal to understand the features and benefits, along with its taxonomy.
Therefore, jump in and dig deep to explore everything about the Windmill Palm tree.
Features and Benefits of the Windmill Palm Tree
Scientifically called Trachycarpus fortunei, the Windmill Palms are an evergreen species with an upright and symmetrical growth habit. It has dark green, fan-shaped leaves that are 3–5 feet wide and tend to give any room a tropical feel.
Most commonly found in the temperate forests of China, it bears small yellow flowers during spring.
These are generally smaller than the other palm trees and are mostly planted to frame a beautiful entryway. Being visually appealing, this Chinese Windmill Palm is a perfect specimen for your dream garden. Apart from being a beauty statement, it also offers numerous benefits.
- It is one of the most cold-tolerant palm varieties, making it an ideal addition for areas where most palms won’t survive.
- Requires minimal pruning and is adaptable to different climatic conditions. Being a pest-resistant genus, the Windmill Palm trees are ideal for new plant parents.
- The upright, vertical shape makes it a suitable plant for compact garden spaces. It can be grown well in containers also, and is perfect for patios and garden borders.
- Once fully grown, the small yellow blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. It is also environmentally friendly and a fantastic long-term beauty investment for your backyard.
Lastly, if you are seeking a resilient yet exotic tree that thrives in a variety of climates, the Chinese Windmill Palm tree is where your search ends.
How to Grow and Care for a Palm Windmill?
It’s no wonder this palm is a favorite among landscape designers and homeowners alike. Although this frost-tolerant plant does not have a special care guide to stick to, it does require some basic growing conditions to flourish. Scroll further and quickly rifle through the ultimate care manual for the Windmill Palm tree.
| Ideal Growing Conditions Needed for Windmill Palm Planting | |
| Sunlight Exposure | Grows best in semi-shade areas or places where it can get filtered sunlight. |
| Water Needs | Frequent watering is required during the initial growing stages. Once mature, watering twice a week will also work. |
| Soil Type | Always plant in areas having fertile and permeable soil. It does not grow well in overly moist ground. |
| Hardiness Zone | 7-11 USDA |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Growth Rate | 6–12 inches per year |
| Mature Height and Width | 10-40 ft tall and 4-10 ft wide |
| Fertilizer | Consider using a slow-release fertilizer twice a year. |
As has been stated earlier, the Windmill Palm does not require much pruning. Consider removing the dead or damaged leaves to encourage new growth. If you wish to add more such varieties to your front lawn, you can easily propagate them using the stem cutting method.
Taxonomic Overview of the Chinese Windmill Palm Tree
Now, whether you are a seasoned botanist, a garden enthusiast, or simply someone curious about the botanical background of the Windmill Palm for sale, you have reached the right spot.
In the following section, we have given a detailed taxonomic overview of the genus to understand its plant family in depth.
| Taxonomy of Windmill Palm | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Subclass | Arecidae |
| Order | Arecales |
| Family | Arecaceae (Palm family) |
| Genus | Trachycarpus |
| Species/Botanical Name | Trachtcarpus fortunei |
Chinese Windmill Palm, Chusan Palm, Hemp Palm, Nepalese Fan Palm, and Windmill Palm are some common names of the genus. Did you know that this is the only palm cultivar that can survive temperatures as low as -10 °C?
User Reviews and Ratings
Review: I spotted these cute palm trees that have fan-like fronds. These looked so stunning.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I finally got my hands on this Windmill Palm container plant. Simply couldn’t stop staring.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Added this palm cultivar to my backyard. It gives a stunning tropical feel to my garden.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Found these Windmill Palm species at the poolside during my vacation. Looks so elegant and gorgeous.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Where to plant a Windmill Palm?
Consider planting the Windmill Palm in areas where it can get dappled sunlight and the soil is not too moist.
How tall does a Windmill Palm get?
The Windmill tree can grow up to 10-40 ft tall.
Can Windmill Palms survive a freeze?
Yes, the Windmill Palm is the only palm cultivar that is frost-tolerant.
How quickly do Windmill Palms grow?
This particular genus has a rapid growth rate of 6–12 inches per year.
What is the botanical name of the Windmill Palm tree?
The botanical name of the species is Trachycarpus fortunei.
