About
A vigorous, deciduous tendril-climber from China with broadly ovate, shallowly lobed, mid-green leaves with white-woolly undersides and small, dark blue-black berries. An ornamental species grown in botanical collections of Vitis, with good autumn leaf colour.
About the genus
Washingtonia are large evergreen palms with stout solitary trunks bearing long-stalked, rounded leaves palmately divided into linear segments, and large, arching panicles of flowers, followed by small, berry-like black fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Palms
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Patio and container plants
Native toS. California, W. Arizona, Mexico
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost with equal parts added pulverised bark and organic matter, in bright light but with protection from the sun. Water moderately and provide moderate humidity when in growth and apply a liquid fertiliser monthly during the summer. Water sparingly in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at not less than 24°C
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free