Hardiness
The following thread was started by BryceS on August 29, 2005 at 8:45 pm PST
Probably Needle palm. No trunk. Slow grower.
Check this out:
http://www.crdb.net/cgi-bin/crdb/crdblist.cgi?DataBank=Palm
The above followup was added by John S z8 PDX OR on August 29, 2005 at 10:30 pm PST.
imho, probably a toss up between sabal minor and rhapidophyllum histrix----both trunkless shrub palms that might tolerate occassional exposure to minus 5 f. or so (usda 6b).
The above followup was added by georgeinbandon,oregon on August 29, 2005 at 10:35 pm PST.
Based on what I have read and not by experience the needle palm (Rhapidophyllum Hystrix) is the hardiest palm.
I read an actricle by David Francko showing test results of various palms against cold temps and this one was the winner hands down.
I also read an article recently that Michael Ferguson had been quoted in that in the Vancouver area he felt that there were 10 species that would survive here.
I started to think about that and started a list.
Here was my list;
trachycarpus fortunei
trachycarpus wagnerianus
trachycarpus nanus
trachycarpus takil
trachycarpus latisectus? maybe
sabal minor
sabal palmetto
sabal mexicana
sabal rosei
sabal etonia
sabal causiarum? maybe
sabal bermudana? maybe
trithrinax campestris
guihaia argyrata? maybe
rhapidoplyllum hystrix
chamaerops humilis
chamaerops humilisvar. cerifera
jubaea chilensis
chamaedorea microspadix
chamaedorea radicalis
butia capitata? maybe
butia eriospatha? maybe
brahea armata? maybe
brahea edulis? maybe
so I came up with 16 species that I believe are long term here and 8 maybes with protection. So basically I agree with Michael that around 10 are safe and the rest are not. There maybe others that can make it here and others won't agree with my list but these are the only species I am willing to try.
The above followup was added by Wes North Van on August 29, 2005 at 10:35 pm PST.
Takils are definately the hardies trunking palm. Mine have done awesome with just a little protection in zone 7a
The above followup was added by Kenton on August 30, 2005 at 10:02 am PST.
Great list indeed! So, I have narrowed it down to two. The Sabal Minor and the Needle Palm. My questions is, what is the biggest difference? Is there an opitmal planting time, or is that not a concern with either of these?
The above followup was added by BryceS on August 30, 2005 at 9:41 pm PST.
I assume that "biggest" difference means "most significant"--and that would seem to be relative to the observer.
Both of them are distinct. They are both Coryphoid palms, but Sabal is in its own Alliance, while Rhapidophyllum shows similarities to genera like Trithrinax.
Sabal minor has fairly good sized leaves for a trunkless palm. It also happens to have costapalmate leaves, which are unusual. Rhapidophyllum has small and undistinguished leaves.
I think Rhapidophyllum is tougher and more adaptable. Sabals are picky, especially up here. After losing a lot of plants to a mysterious fungul disease, I suspect that this is what killed my Sabals. Rhapidophyllum was tougher. It lasted until run over. Hmmm, now that I don't have any Bigleaf maples I could re-try one or both.
Rhapidophyllums are spiney little devils. The spines are quite long if I remember correctly. I don't remember any spines on Sabals.
Rhapidophyllum is rather shade-tolerant. Sabals are more sun-loving, and this far north can't really tolerate shade.
Sabals are generally coastal plants. They can occur in semitropical rainy climates, sometimes in marshy areas, or oddly enough in desert too, but never really far from the sea. Even the ones in rainy areas are surprisingly xeric. Sabal minor is known to thrive in the desert southwest.
Rhapidophyllum occurs quite far inland.
Sabals can be hermaphroditic. Rhapidophyllums are rarely so. Female Rhapidophyllums bear a small fruit which is eaten by those animals willing to go after it. The spines are problematic for its own reproductive strategy--perhaps for which reason it is naturally rare in habitat!
The above followup was added by Rob Wagner on August 30, 2005 at 11:16 pm PST.
Thanks Rob. That was a great reply and it pretty much made up my choice. I think it is going to be the Rhapidophyllum.
Althought the larger leaves of the Sabal would be pleasing, the location does have a certain ammount of shade. Not being the best with palms/plants and pretty much have recently found this to be a captivating hobbie, I feel the less finiky the better. Heck, maybe I will pull something out and put in a Sabal also.
If I may, last question. Can I plant this at anytime of the year? I am in the South Sound of WA, Olympia. Zone 8a?
The above followup was added by BryceS on August 30, 2005 at 11:38 pm PST.
In the colder zones I always recommend planting palms of great hardiness right after the last possible deep freeze. In southern Eastern Washington, if you can get past Feb. 15th without a deep freeze, you're pretty much in the clear...
Kenton
The above followup was added by Kenton on August 31, 2005 at 8:33 am PST.
I suppose this weekend would not be a good choice then?
The above followup was added by BryceS on August 31, 2005 at 6:51 pm PST.
I would keep it in a container over the winter if it is not a cold hardy species.... Even Trachycarpus fortunei I would wait until spring. Those roots need to get established......
The above followup was added by Kenton on September 03, 2005 at 10:21 am PST.
Will wait. I hate that part!
The above followup was added by BryceS on September 03, 2005 at 10:41 am PST.