Rhopalostylis sapida

This is one of the few palms that has a crownshaft which is also capable of tolerating some cold. Coming, as it does from the mainland of New Zealand. Occurring mainly in the North Island, but also on the South Island as far south as Okarito (43.22°S) in the west and Banks Peninsula (43.5°S) in the east. The crown of feathery leaves grow quite upright forming a shuttlecock shape. Mature trees can tolerate -4°C / 25°F or thereabouts. Our seeds are collected near Okarito in the South Island, which is the provenance with similar levels of wet and cold to that of Cornwall in the UK, and is therefore the best provenance to grow here in the UK. The South Island palms are generally stockier and more robust than the North Island palms.