Sago palm

Despite its common name, this plant is not in fact a palm but in fact a cycad. Originally from Japan and Korea, it has been cultivated for centuries. It's undemanding and easy to care for, and can also be kept as a long-lived house plant. It has a reputation for being slow-growing, but it will often suddenly swing into action and grow several new leaves within a matter of weeks. A sago palm make a great addition to a summer patio, but larger specimens can also be planted out into the garden. Mature plants can withstand quite severe frosts, but do insulate any younger plants against cold weather.