Tetrapanax Papyrifera

Possibly the most impressive plant you can grow outside in the UK, this rare, fast-growing shrub produces a compact thicket of upright, downy stems topped by astonishing, very large, deeply-lobed green leaves up to 60 cm. or more across. New shoots and leaves have an intriguing coating of fine, felted, pale brown hairs. Creamy clusters of attractive pompom flowers are produced in large sprays in the autumn, followed by black fruit. Preferring well drained soil in full sun, it may be cut back by the winter frost, but each year it comes back reliably in spring in all but the very coldest areas of the northern UK. In the right spot this is even more magnificent and desirable than the famous Gunnera, or "Giant Rhubarb".