The Secret Gardeners of Washington, D. C.,& Vicinity

The Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei Windmill Palm in Ellicott City, MD, courtesy of Ron Andes
Sometimes called the 'Chusan Palm', this tree is also affectionately known by palm enthusiasts as the 'trachy'. Originally from China, it is now grown in many diverse places around the globe, such as Ireland, Oregon, and Northern Italy, where it has naturalized. It is hardy in Charlotte NC, and a few are being grown around the D. C. area. There are specimens in Solomons and Ellicott City MD, Alexandria VA, and at the Smithsonian 'Castle' on the Mall. This palm needs to be treated with tender loving care in the winter - some gardeners tie up the leaves, cover it with a sheet and use Christmas tree lights around the trunk, on the coldest nights of the winter. It's considered marginally hardy in D. C., but gardeners are placing their faith in more durable varieties, such as 'Greensboro' and 'Bulgaria'.
At right is a Windmill Palm in Ellicott City, MD.
More Windmill Palm pictures - Click on the thumbnails to see the full-size photos
Windmill Palm in Alexandria, VA, courtesy of Ed Aldrich

Windmill Palm in Solomons, MD, with the author

Windmill Palm at the Smithsonian 'Castle

Windmill Palm in Solomons, MD - east exposure, next to Chesapeake Maritime Laboratories

There are two other Trachycarpus species being tried by adventurous gardeners. Trachycarpus takil hails from Mount Kumaon in northern India and Nepal. It is larger, and supposedly more hardy than fortunei , but only time will tell. T. wagnerianus , a cultivar from Japan, is smaller, with stiffer leaves. It, too is supposedly hardier. Each of these is uncommon in cultivation, and hard to find.
1Photo of Windmill Palm courtesy of Ron Andes [email protected]
2Photo of Windmill Palm courtesy of Ed Aldrich http://users.starpower.net/dalsdeaf2/