Trachycarpus fortunei, also known as the Chinese windmill palm, Chusan palm, or windmill palm, is a stunning ornamental plant that is highly valued by palm enthusiasts, landscape designers, and gardeners. Its ability to tolerate cool summers and cold winters makes it a highly sought after plant that can even grow in the furthest north regions of the world, such as Scotland and Alaska. It is commonly grown in gardens throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Southeastern and Pacific Northwestern United States, British Columbia, and Tasmania. Trachycarpus fortunei grows up to 20 meters tall on a single stem and has a rough trunk covered in coarse, fibrous material. The fan palm has leaves that terminate into numerous leaflets, and white and yellow flowers that bloom in the spring. The fruit is a yellow to blue-black reniform drupe that ripens in mid-fall. It has medicinal properties and has been used to make strong leaf sheath fibers for thousands of years. Trachycarpus fortunei is a hardy plant that is generally grown in warm temperate and subtropical climates and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The Trachycarpus fortunei 'Wagnerianus' variant is a small-leafed semi-dwarf cultivar that is wind-resistant due to its short stature and small leaves. Trachycarpus fortunei is a beautiful and valuable addition to any garden or park.
