And, what’s more, they blend in well with other large-leaved plants. Although most varieties grow naturally in tropical and subtropical climates, many have successfully adapted to cooler gardens.

The following varieties are ideal for planting close to the swimming pool:

• King palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) have a slender stem and grow to a height of 10-20m with dark-green, feathery branches of up to 2m long. They can handle cold temperatures (down to -2ºC) and even mild frost and like a lot of water all year round.
• Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) are fast-growing, gracious trees that grow up to about 15m. The long, leathery branches grow in an elegant arch from the leaf sheaths. They can tolerate cold and mild frost but have to be protected against dry winds and watered often.
• Golden bamboo palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) (which are native to Madagascar) are multistemmed with feathery leaves that grow in arches. They can be grown in any climatic zone and even indoors but prefer a subtropical to tropical climate and light shade. Fertilise them regularly with slow-release fertiliser that is rich in nitrogen to keep the foliage deep green. Give them a lot of water.
• Miniature date palms (Phoenix roebelenii) grow well in moderate climatic zones to deep in the tropics. They are popularly used in large garden pots as well as in smaller gardens. These plants can tolerate full sun but prefer growing in moist soil among other taller palm varieties, or in light shade under trees.
• Cotton palms (Washingtonia robusta) or Mexican fan palms, are gracious, tall trees with slender trunks that reach a height of 30m. They have bright-green, leathery, fanned leaves that hang down around the trunk like a thick beard when they get older. The trees can handle cold and frost and grow well in coastal gardens.

Words and image: Home magazine