We’ve written before about several of the new windmill palm hybrids that are becoming available thanks to crosses being made in Europe. One that has really impressed us are the hybrids with the silver-backed Trachycarpus princeps, and the dwarf, Trachycarpus nanus. We call these seed strains, Trachycarpus x nanceps (unpublished) ‘Little Prince’. We use this cultivar name where Trachycarpus princeps is the mom, and Trachycarpus nanus, the dad.
Trachycarpus princeps is a stunningly beautiful silver-backed palm, that sadly hasn’t been winter hardy here in Zone 7b/8a. Trachycarpus nanus, which is incredibly slow, has been rock hardy here for decades. Our oldest 22 year old plant, has topped out at 4′ tall. With hybrids like this, our hope is that the combination of genes gives us the positive attributes of both parents. The plants below were started from seed in 2020, and planted in the ground in 2023. We are thrilled that they have retained the compact stature of Trachycarpus nanus, with some of the silver leaf backs from Trachycarpus princeps.
What a gorgeous plant!