Trachycarpus wagnerianus

See what we've written about the closely related Trachycarpus fortunei but bear in mind that these have significant differences. It's all to do with the leaves. They're smaller and stiffer and therefore, far from being highly unsuitable for windy gardens, they're remarkably well suited to windy gardens. We've planted a load of them at the nursery at the top of the drive (unfortunately often hidden by parked cars) in a constantly windy spot and they look perfect. They're rare and slow growing but if you like palms and spiky plants, grab them when you can - they're always in short supply. We tend not strip the hair on the trunks of these plants. We could, but have never felt a great need to.

Leonardslee garden in West Sussex has a clump of 5 of these, 25ft tall at the top of the rockery near the house. Exposed to winds from every quarter, they are perfect.

Position: Grows in sun or shade, on any soil, but is happiest in deep, fertile ground. Main thing - you can grow it where it's pretty windy, (but maybe not on the top of a hill or right by the seaside,) and it doesn't mind!

'By seed by us'

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.