Most preferred Cold Hardy palm

[ghar41]

Wal great idea.

Ok...Cold Hardy palm growers, our turn....what is the ultimate Cold Hardy Palm species/hybrid?

[_Keith]

Finally, a poll for me.

[Mutnaum]

I voted for Trachycarpus takil because it grows so fast and actually has a chance to survive in my climate with protection. Now if we were talking about the most sought after cold hardy palm that would have to be Butia x Parajubaea for me, I can't fine one anywhere.

[SunnyFl]

I voted for Butia x Syagrus based on seeing a very impressive one.  But was also tempted to vote for B. decumbens - a palm I've never seen "in person," and doubt it's even available here.  But the photos I've seen of it are quite striking.

This is a great poll, btw.

[NBTX11]

It has to be Butia X Syagrus.  Can't beat if for looks and cold hardiness.

[palmsrgreat]

Sold on the xButyagrus...second up for me would be D. decipiens

[FRITO]

Rhapidophylum hystrix is a true champion.

but I voted for butiagrus for most stunning cold hardy on the list.

[Exotic Life]

I've voted for Trachycarpus wagnerianus, because they are easy too grow over here.. Rhapidophylum hystrix and Tritrinax campestris are the true winners for the hard frost lower then -15C i think, but when they are having damage, they can't grow so much over here... so then you have a damaged palm for a year in the garden.

If i must too choose my favorite of the list then is Butia x Syagrus, but they are not selled over here...

Robbin

[The Germinator]

I voted for Butia x Syagrus because it is so expensive and hard to find. I want one but am to cheap to fork out the pesos for one.

What about the nannorhops family, My 2 strap seedlings survived the cold snap last year here in Cali. I had 3 varieties and they all did fairly well for being less than 6 month old.

[Paul S]

I voted for Brahea decumbens because it is all but impossible to find available in England but should be growable.

I either have currently got, have previously tried and lost, or don't want any of the others.

[Kathryn]

(palmsrgreat @ Feb. 14 2008,20:52)

QUOTE

Sold on the xButyagrus...second up for me would be D. decipiens

I agree!

[Gileno Machado]

hey Wal...where's the Jubaea chilensis?

From all the almost impossible to grow palms in my climate, I'd take the Jubs anytime...

As a matter of fact, I haven't given up yet...just received another batch of seeds...let's see...

[PalmGuyWC]

I would be hard pressed to vote for any particular palm on the list, as I have them all except the

[PalmGuyWC]

Woops, wrong key...I have them all except the "true" T. takil. I like them all, but of course as Gileno mentioned, Jubaea would be high on my list, as well as some of the new hybrids, such as Butia X Parajubaea, Bujubaeagrus and Jubaeagrus. There are other new cocoid hybrids but they are to new and small to judge yet, but they all should be cold hardy.

For understory, there is Chamaedorea's Radicalis and Microspadix, both very cold hardy, also Rhapis. I like them all.

Dick

[iwan]

(The Germinator @ Feb. 15 2008,02:57)

QUOTE

I voted for Butia x Syagrus because it is so expensive and hard to find. I want one but am to cheap to fork out the pesos for one.

What about the nannorhops family, My 2 strap seedlings survived the cold snap last year here in Cali. I had 3 varieties and they all did fairly well for being less than 6 month old.

Ed,

Butia x Syagrus is not bad compared to (Jubaea chilensis x Butia capitata) x S. romanzoffiana or Butia capitata x Parajubaea cocoides.

Wish I could afford to line my 200' driveway with butiagrus though.

[iwan]

Glenn,

Tough to answer this.  I have about half of the palms you mentioned and I would love to obtain a "vulcano".  I would say my favorite (moste prized) palms from the list are Brahea moorei and  Trachycarpus princeps (hopefully I have the real thing).  My rarest cold hardy palm (aside from possibly some of the hybrids) is Dick's mutant Chamaerops.  As mentioned, there are too many others not included.  Most expensive, the hybrids noted previously.

Last fall I bought a 5g Butia archeri and regret not buying more after seeing pictures of them in habitat.  I plan to get a couple more soon.

[Neofolis]

I haven't voted yet.  I'd like to vote for Butiagrus, but they are too variable.  I don't like Syagrus romanzoffiana at all, so a hybrid with mostly Syagrus traits really wouldn't appeal to me.  I have a Jubaea X Butia, which would be top for me if it were on the list or certain other cocoid hybrids that I also like.  Those aside, it would be a tough call for me between Trachycarpus princeps and Brahea decumbens.

From the list takil and Butiagrus are maybe the most sought after, based on availability, but that would probably be locality dependent.

[Kai]

I voted for Butia x Syagrus, I find this a truly stunning palm. It has yet to be added to my collection but they are not very available here. Jubaea chilensis would have gotten my vote, but it's not in there. Why not? I know it's a slow grower, but it's a beauty!

[Walter John]

(Gileno Machado @ Feb. 15 2008,23:36)

QUOTE

hey Wal...where's the Jubaea chilensis?

From all the almost impossible to grow palms in my climate, I'd take the Jubs anytime...

As a matter of fact, I haven't given up yet...just received another batch of seeds...let's see...

Nothing to do with me Gileno.

I don't like cold weather and choose not to live in it.

[ghar41]

Great responses, all.

I left Jubea Chilensis off the list even though it certainly belongs on any list of palms.  I guess the only reason I left it off was that it didn't quite fit the "most sought" after palm IMHO as Ive always been able to find seed and/or seedlings quite easily.  It size can be prohibitive and add the fact that I could only list ten.  Maybe I should have left off....?  ::

I had Dypsis decipiens on the list, then took it off because at @ 18F it might not be a possibility to many of our cold hardy friends.  It would, however, be number 1 for me, in fact im sort of obsessed about it..I have at least 10 planted!

I chose Brahea moorei.  It's so cold hardy,  beautiful and versatile.  It can take shade, filtered, morning sun...it's size allows it to be planted anywhere...even close to walkways (no spines.)  It's both rare and highly sought after.

[Alberto]

My most prized palm from the list is the palm I don´t have: Brahea decumbens. I also have C. vulcano,(BxJ)xqueen, Butia x Parajubaea and also Dick's mutant Chamaerops. I´d like a Juania australis and also a Lytocarium x Queen ,but this I´ll have to´make´´it myself !!!

[Turtile]

Where is the Sabal Genus?!!!

[NCpalmqueen]

Living up here in the Arctic North Carolina, Jubaea is by far my best cold hardy palm.   One of my jubs has been thru 4 NC winters now, and is the greenest palm in the yard at the moment.  It is really turning into the most beautiful palm in my yard as well.  

This was my first winter for my trithrinax campy and I did not know what to expect.  Not even a hint that it was winter.  Great cold hardy palm.  Still as lethal as ever...gotta watch my eyeballs when checking him out!  

I chickened out   and kept my mule palm covered all winter.  I peek occasionally under the cover and it seems to be handling winter fine.   Fingers are crossed.

Can anyone tell me the lowest low that their mule has experienced?  

And Matt, if you're out there, your Jub just laughed at our winter.  He's looking really good after the hottest summer on record here and a normal (sort of) winter.  I had two nights with lows of about 16.  Still a z8 winter.

Someone mentioned sabals...they are extremely hardy here as well.

[Carlo Morici]

I voted T.wagnerianus because it is a different looking palm, especially when young.

I live in a warm climate and I like quite a few of the listed palms, but not for their hardiness, just for aesthetics or general interest. J X S is not on my wishlist, just because I see enough of both parents around and I am not much fond of them.

But I do like and grow some Trachy species. I also have a few B.decumbens.

Carlo

[Carlo Morici]

I voted T.wagnerianus because it is a different looking palm, especially when young.

I live in a warm climate and I like quite a few of the listed palms, but not for their hardiness, just for aesthetics or general interest. J X S is not on my wishlist, just because I see enough of both parents around and I am not much fond of them.

But I do like and grow some Trachy species. I also have a few B.decumbens.

Regarding, Trithrinax campestris... that is a cactus, not a palm  ::

Carlo

[ghar41]

(Turtile @ Feb. 17 2008,19:05)

QUOTE

Where is the Sabal Genus?!!!

Point well taken.    

There are plenty of great Sabal's that would have been very worthy of this list.  My favorite is S. mauritiiformis and Ive also been very impressed with the Sabal "Lisa."  

Which Sabal(s) would you write in?

Jubaea chilensis continues to make a strong showing as a write in candidate...it certainly would have faired better than the trio of palms in the poll with one vote each.

[Turtile]

(ghar41 @ Feb. 17 2008,20:37)

QUOTE

There are plenty of great Sabal's that would have been very worthy of this list.  My favorite is S. mauritiiformis and Ive also been very impressed with the Sabal "Lisa."  

Which Sabal(s) would you write in?

Jubaea chilensis continues to make a strong showing as a write in candidate...it certainly would have faired better than the trio of palms in the poll with one vote each.

If I could only plant one palm, it would be between Sabal Minor and Sabal sp. Birmingham.

Sabal Minor is tolerant of drought, floods, poor soil, and has good resistance to disease.  Its also one of the only palms that can withstand temperatures below 0F without damage.

Sabal sp. Birmingham may be the hardiest trunking palm in our climate (needs heat just like all Sabal).  One has withstood -11F with only 40% tip burn but it looks like its in a good sheltered location.  The only bad thing about this palm is that the true hardiness of a Birmingham with a significant trunk has not been proven so far.  The leaves are much hardier than Palmetto but the bud tissue is what matters the most.

I'm thinking about trying a Jubaea as well but I don't want to kill it since they are so expensive.

[BobbyinNY]

Hey...... What about the Sabal Xtensis?....  I KNOW that one is definitely cold hardy because I have one that's been outside all winter long with no protection and it is shining like a champ.....

But I did vote for the Butia X Syagrus for it's more "tropical" appearance of all the cold-hardy species.... T. Wagnerianus would be next.

[PalmGuyWC]

After reading all your comments........here is my 2 cents again. Glenn, you can write off Sabal mauritiformis as it is tropical and probably the most cold sensitive of the Sabals. A good frost will defolliate it or kill it. There are lots of hardy Sabals, but my vote would be for S. Riverside. It's not the most hardy, but mine survived 14F with foliage damage, but no permanent damage. It is also the fastest growing Sabal I have and it's very attractive.

Some of the palms listed are so rare, they are hard to obtain. While T. wagnerianus has been around and available a long time, it's still one of my favorites. It's extreamly cold hardy, and it's tough and durable and will take a lot of wind without damage. As mentioned, it's very attractive as a small palm. The new T. princeps recently introduced might be a close contender with the Waggies. Does anyone have one larger than a 1 gal size? If so, show a picture.

The Butia X Syagrus came in No. 1 and for good reason. It's pretty darn cold hardy, is available, and looks very tropical and it grows fast. Carlo, they look quite different from either of it's parents. Of course there is the very common Butia, still a stunning palm if not crowded, and one of the hardiest  to cold and wind. Sometimes the old tried and proven is one of the best choices for cold winters.

Jubaeas are a different animal. They require plenty of space and they do best in a Mediterranian climate, but probably the most cold hardy feather palm.

Ed:  Don't waste your time with T. wagnerianus X fortunei as they look just like T. fortunei. I have two that I'm digging up as they are taking up valueable space and T. fortunei is not one of my favorites.  I'm putting a T. princeps and a T. nanus in their places.

Dick

[BobbyinNY]

Hey everyone....

Here is a pic of my Sabal Xtensis - outside since May of 07 with absolutely no protection whatsoever - it has seen 12f....

[Kai]

(Alberto @ Feb. 16 2008,01:21)

QUOTE

My most prized palm from the list is the palm I don´t have: Brahea decumbens. I also have C. vulcano,(BxJ)xqueen, Butia x Parajubaea and also Dick's mutant Chamaerops. I´d like a Juania australis and also a Lytocarium x Queen ,but this I´ll have to´make´´it myself !!!

Is there such a thing as Lytocaryum x Queen? Drrreeewwwll!  

[Kai]

Am I correct if I have found nobody to mention any form of Parajubaea? Or am I becoming slowly senile and am I missing parts I shouldn't have missed? I might have voted for Parajubaea...

[Turtile]

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 18 2008,09:01)

QUOTE

Hey...... What about the Sabal Xtensis?....  I KNOW that one is definitely cold hardy because I have one that's been outside all winter long with no protection and it is shining like a champ.....

I have a xTexensis as well.  I planted it out in September and it has seen 3 nights @ 14F.  It has no damage if you don't count the wind.

[ghar41]

(Kai @ Feb. 18 2008,12:38)

QUOTE

Am I correct if I have found nobody to mention any form of Parajubaea? Or am I becoming slowly senile and am I missing parts I shouldn't have missed? I might have voted for Parajubaea...

Another great choice!  

My intention was to try and include as many of our USDA zone 7 and 8 growers as possible so I left off some great palms like the Parajubaea's.  I was seeking palms rated @15F and below...just an estimate.

Any 7 or 8's growing Parajubaea's?  Or Dypsis decipiens?  We'd like to hear from you.

[BobbyinNY]

Any 7 or 8's growing Parajubaea's?  Or Dypsis decipiens?  We'd like to hear from you.

Ooooh, I didn't think that I could grow those here....  What's the lowest  rating on a D. Decipiens? and can it take wet,soggy soil?

[ghar41]

(BobbyinNY @ Feb. 18 2008,15:16)

QUOTE

Any 7 or 8's growing Parajubaea's?  Or Dypsis decipiens?  We'd like to hear from you.

Ooooh, I didn't think that I could grow those here....  What's the lowest  rating on a D. Decipiens? and can it take wet,soggy soil?

I've seen 18F listed more than once...I can say that some small 3 gallon size plants weathered my North facing, shaded front yard this winter.  They were exposed to the North...probably 20 or more frosty morni ngs...and they hung in there with the best of my cold hardy plants, even though the Dyppys have a few spots on em.

I am told that they like it kinda dry in the summer...Floridans may want to help out here if Im wrong...

[Alberto]

(Kai @ Feb. 18 2008,12:36)

QUOTE

(Alberto @ Feb. 16 2008,01:21)

QUOTE

My most prized palm from the list is the palm I don´t have: Brahea decumbens. I also have C. vulcano,(BxJ)xqueen, Butia x Parajubaea and also Dick's mutant Chamaerops. I´d like a Juania australis and also a Lytocarium x Queen ,but this I´ll have to´make´´it myself !!!

Is there such a thing as Lytocaryum x Queen? Drrreeewwwll!  

Jazeker! Prachtig!!!!

[_Keith]

I'd say these are pretty cold hardy.  From Georgia (formerly USSR).

[Kai]

(Alberto @ Feb. 19 2008,18:50)

QUOTE

(Kai @ Feb. 18 2008,12:36)

QUOTE

(Alberto @ Feb. 16 2008,01:21)

QUOTE

My most prized palm from the list is the palm I don´t have: Brahea decumbens. I also have C. vulcano,(BxJ)xqueen, Butia x Parajubaea and also Dick's mutant Chamaerops. I´d like a Juania australis and also a Lytocarium x Queen ,but this I´ll have to´make´´it myself !!!

Is there such a thing as Lytocaryum x Queen? Drrreeewwwll!  

Jazeker! Prachtig!!!!

Hey Alberto!

I didn't know you were on this forum too! Great! Now About those Lytoagrus hybrids... Are they really cold-hardy?

Groeten,

Kai

[tjwalters]

Why wasn't Wodyetia bifurcata on this poll?