Trachycarpus
Origin: the Far East. Palm tree which is characterised by a single columnar trunk not branched or bushy at the base, covered in a thick weave of brown fibres. Each year at the top of the trunk new evergreen leaves develop, fan-shaped, composed of 35-40 glossy dark green segments on the upper surface, pale green to ash-grey on the underside, borne on strong, thorny stalks. At the end of spring, right under the leaves, long pendulous panicles of yellow flowers form, followed by clusters of hemispherical blackish-blue fruit. No particular requirements as regards type of soil (provided it is not too clay or too compact), easy to grow in containers, it is the only Palm tree which puts up with snow and frost.