Palm Trees – Windmill Palm

• Windmill palm

Botanical name: trachycarpus fortunei 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 39 – 66 ft in height and a 4 – 6 ft spread

Bloom time:  summer

Hardy zone: zones 7 – 11

Flower color: yellow/green/brown 

Foliage color:  green 

Growth rate: grows 1 – 3 ft a year

Pruning instructions: when the fronds closest to the trunk turn brown all the way down to the stem, cut them off

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: define an area

Light needs: 2 – 6 hours of sun a day 

Special features: cold hardy 

Watering instructions: hand water deeply everyday/ every other day at the base for a few minutes for the first 20 – 30 days. Once established, reduce to weekly watering.

Fertilizing instructions :  use 10 -10 -10 3 times a year

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: sandy

Companion plants: agapanthus, aloe vera, liriope, foxtail fern

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets