Trachycarpus fortunei

The Chusan palm from China is the hardiest and easiest palm to grow in the UK. Introduced over 150 yrs ago, this has proved itself to be extremely tough. Growing straight up on a single hairy trunk, it produces huge fan shaped leaves up to 1m across, with big weighty, soft-yellow flower clusters in early summer. Looks best if not exposed to too much strong wind. Sun, semi or full shade.