Chusan palm

The hemp or windmill palm, also listed sometimes as Chamaerops excelsa, is a fine evergreen Himalayan palm, medium-sized in gardens but ultimately 10-12m (33-40ft) after a century or so in a good climate. The trachycarpus species thrives in milder gardens as is frost hardy but will be damaged by prolonged exposure to sever cold i.e the far north gardens, where it flowers and seeds itself freely, adding tropical flair to planting schemes. Elsewhere it requires the shelter to protect it from frost and strong cold winds which can shred its huge fan-shaped leaves, especially when young. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).