Chris and Claire Day have filled their Lancashire newbuild plot with PALM TREES and summer vibes
BEFORE
Chris Day and his wife Claire live and breathe palm trees but they had to wait years to get their hands on a garden large enough to accommodate their impressive collection. But it was definitely worth the wait, agree the tropical plant wholesalers and enthusiasts.
Their plot, unrecognisable from its newbuild beginnings, is now bursting with giant fronds, towering trunks and the unmistakable air of summer holidays. “Palm trees are our life!” smiles Chris. “We sell them as our business, and we love having so many in our garden. Whenever you see them, they bring back good memories. They’re unlike any other tree – just magical!”
FOND OF FRONDS
Chris and Claire have always had a taste for the tropics, ever since their respective holidays in the Canary Islands as children. What started as a shared hobby later in life became a fully fledged business when they launched The Palm Tree Company (thepalmtreecompany.com) in 2015. Unfortunately, living in a tiny terrace meant they could only fit one solitary tree in their back yard.
In 2021 they moved to their newbuild semi in Clitheroe and, undeterred by the bare lawn and boring paving outside, pursued their dream of a tropical paradise. Years spent delivering palms to gorgeous gardens across the UK had given the couple valuable inspiration for their own long-awaited arrangement. “We had a good feel for what we liked,” says Chris. “Being up north, we needed hardy varieties, and we wanted to create visual interest with tall slim palms like Cordyline australis, one of our favourites. We knew this would give a canopy effect, and we wanted to balance it with a fern area beneath.”
HELPING HAND
The couple are regular suppliers to ITV’s Love Your Garden, a show that designer Matt Leigh (mattleigh.co.uk, @mattleighgardens) project manages. Impressed by his creativity, Chris and Claire snapped up the garden designer to work on their own plot. “Although we’re knowledgeable about tropical plants, we’re not skilled designers like Matt,” explains Chris. “He came up with some brilliant layout plans which included a large water feature and pond, decking areas and comprehensive planting scheme so we could showcase our palms.”
Chris and Claire drew up a shopping list of their stock and, with basic measurements in mind, walked around the space mixing and matching potted palms. It was a trial and error approach the couple relished. “We had fun playing around with some of our favourites,” says Chris. “Claire and I didn’t always agree, but we got there in the end! She came up with the idea to add depth with tall centrally positioned trees. Initially I was resistant but now I can see
