Trachycarpus fortunei is noted for itsĀ single stem, columnar trunk covered in a hairy brown fibre. It produces large fan-shaped dark green leaves, which are pale green to ash grey underneath. The flowers are long panicles of pendulous yellow, which are followed by blackish-blue fruit. Trachycarpus fortunei will grow in large pots or containers. and is the hardest palm in Britain. It has an eventual height of 20m and a spread of 2.5m. Trachycarpus fortunei needs to be sheltered from cold, drying winds.