BISMARCKIA NOBILIS
Bismarck palm
Hardy to -4 Height 12m, Spread 3-5m
If you live in a warm microclimate or can overwinter palms in a conservatory or greenhouse, then try frost-tender Bismarckia nobilis. This impressive, striking, silver-blue leafed tree will grow to 25m in the wilds of Madagascar, although cultivated trees average around 12m. Be warned, it’s slow growing when young but in the right conditions it can grow massive, so site in a suitable location. Ultimately adapted to dry desert heat it’ll breeze through European heatwaves and droughts – although it needs a lot of water care for its first six months of planting.