Trachycarpus sp.

Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Tesan’
Reportedly hardy to -20C/-4F in China, but the only report I've heard here in the U.S. suggests that it is not hardier than standard Trachycarpus fortunei - 7b/5F

This is supposedly a more robust form of Trachycarpus fortunei, with thicker trunks, thinker “fur” on the trunks, and broader leaves. The seeds for this form also are larger than I’ve seen for regular T. fortunei, as well, so I wouldn‘t be surprised at all if the plants also turn out to be as robust as described. I hope these prove as hardy as claimed, but not having tested them myself, I can’t guarantee it. These are for those adventurous northern gardeners who are willing to experiment!

Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Winsan’
7b/5F

This form of T. fortunei forms leaves with segments all the way around the stem, as opposed to the segments spreading ½ or ¾ around the leaf base in regular T. fortunei.

Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Naini Tal’
‘Naini Tal’ or ‘Nainital’ Windmill Palm
7b/5F

This form was originally sold in the trade as “Trachycarpus takil” - until it was discovered that the seed source was not T. takil, but a form of T. fortunei growing in the same area as the "true" Takils. Some consider this form to be slightly hardier than regular fortunei, but I've read mixed results.

Trachycarpus geminisectus
Hardiness unknown

Discovered in North Vietnam, this palm is still new to cultivation. Though they are known to form short trunks, ultimate height is unknown. The leaves have about 40 segments, but remain joined in groups of 2 or three, I’m guessing the name “geminisectus” comes from, Gemini referring to twins. Mature leaves are described as being dark glossy green on top, with a waxy, white coating underneath, and is rumored to be closely related to Trachycarpus nanus.

Trachycarpus latisectus
‘Windamere Palm’
8b with protection/Upper Teens

With leaves resembling a Livistona, this very attractive palm was originally touted as being hardy to around 0F, though it seems anything below 20 will damage small specimens. It has been hoped that larger plants would prove hardier, but the jury is still out. In the meantime, I only have small seedlings for those who wish to grow them to larger sizes and then try them outdoors.

Trachycarpus nanus
‘Dwarf Windmill Palm,’ ‘Dragon Head Palm’
7b/5F

From western China, and often displaying a pretty blue coloring, this palm is vulnerable to goat grazing in its native habitat. This form doesn’t form a trunk and is an excellent choice for borders where space is limited.

Trachycarpus oreophilus
‘Thai Mountain Fan Palm’
Reportedly 8a/10F

Supposedly more tolerant of both heat and cold than T. latisectus, this very attractive palm from higher elevations in Thailand has regularly split , nearly circular bright green leaves that form a small crown.

Trachycarpus princeps - Green
Syn.: Trachycarpus sp. ‘Nova’
7b/5F

Reportedly a very fast grower, this form of Trachycarpus princeps lacks the silvery, waxy coated undersides of the leaves, but is still a very attractive palm - especially if you want a fast grower! I have read anecdotes that the palms at the stone gate in Thailand are green, which I suppose would make this the “true” Stone Gate Palm, while the form with silvery backed leaves is not. However, for now, this form is known as “Green Princeps” and the silver form is known as the Stone Gate Palm.

Trachycarpus princeps - Silver Form
‘Stone Gate Palm’ - Rare and Limited
7b/5F

A very elegant palm, one of the more attractive, cold hardy palms, this form is still rare in cultivation. With beautiful, silvery blue coating on the undersides of the leaves, this palm makes a striking ornamental, though it’s hard to find and hard to grow from seed, which are generally selling at $1 per seed, and germination rates of only 10% are common, even from fresh seeds, and that may take a year.

Trachycarpus sp. Manipur
Syn.: Trachycarpus ukhrulensis

Hardiness unknown

It has been suggested by palm experts Tobias Spanner and Martin Gibbons that this palm is the same as Trachycarpus oreophilus, however, there is some disagreement on this point as apparently the Manipur palms display some morphological differences with T. oreophilus. In any case, it produces finely segmented leaves with white undersides - which is one of the differences between T. manipur and T. oreophilus - and is another very ornamental form of Trachycarpus worthy of trial in cold winter areas - for those willing to experiment.

Trachycarpus takil
‘Kuamon Palm’
7b/5F, possibly colder (but not yet confirmed in cultivation)

This palm has caused quite a bit of controversy, as we now are on our third species in the trade which claims to be the “True Takil” form. I hope we have it right this time! This palm has been touted as hardy to 0, or below, but we’ll have to wait for larger specimens to trial outdoors to confirm this. Right now, the larger palms labeled as takils are more than likely Trachycarpus fortunei ‘Naini Tal’ (see above.) I am told that true takils have nearly sixty fairly regularly split leaf segments, whereas Naini Tals have fewer segments that are irregularly split. Also, the leaf sheaths on T. fortunei ‘Naini Tal’ are strap like, whereas T. takil has short, triangular shape sheaths (ligules). Younger specimens of takil also have narrow first leaves while 'Naini Tal' has short, wide leaves like Trachycarpus fortunei.

Trachycarpus wagnerianus
“Dwarf Windmill Palm,” “Wagner’s Windmill Palm”
7b/5F

This palm is only known in cultivation, no wild form has ever been found. It is similar to T. fortunei, but with smaller, stiffer leaves on shorter petioles which gives the palm added resistance to wind damage. Otherwise, just as hardy as its larger leaved cousin, though its smaller form is considered more attractive by many, and it certainly is better for small places in the garden.