Sabal minor

[John in Winston]

I was visiting a friend in Wilmington and saw a mass planting of the greenest Sabal minors I’ve ever seen. They were as green as a Chinese fan palm and I’m wondering if anyone knows what variety they may be.they were about 2’ tall with many fronds and a “lobster tail”.

[Joe NC]

@John in WinstonAre they at a private residence or someplace public like a shopping center?  I'd take a look if they were nearby.

[John in Winston]

They are in an apartment complex called Arboretum West and are near the pool. There are at least 2 plantings with about 20 plants each. They are stunning. I can’t get anyone to talk to me about where they got them.

[SeanK]

44 minutes ago, John in Winston said:

They are in an apartment complex called Arboretum West and are near the pool. There are at least 2 plantings with about 20 plants each. They are stunning. I can’t get anyone to talk to me about where they got them.

Hmm. I'd lay money they came from New Bern.

[John in Winston]

I talked to Gary’s Nursery and they don’t know what they are.

[Joe NC]

I did a drive by on my way home from work.  I would have snapped a photo but there were some people standing around with dogs, and I didn't want to be that weird guy. 

The minors there look very nice, but don't strike me as anything other than a typical minor.  I was expecting a "grass green", but they seemed as green as I would normally expect. They are not "blue" for sure, but neither are most of the other minors I see/have. 

[John in Winston]

If they are just regular minors why are they planted so close together. I have a 20 year old S. Brazoria at my old house in Charlotte with a trunk over 1’ in diameter…boy do I wish I had one of these now! I got it from Gary’s Nursery 20 years ago on a 3 gallon pot. They were not damaged after 5 degrees F and 3 consecutive days below freezing!

[Joe NC]

Photo attached of what I suspect are the palms in question.  (I took a trip through there on my way to grab lunch).

[SeanK]

Look pretty standard, although could have planted half as many.

[John in Winston]

Too bad you didn’t see the other planting where they had been trimmed and looked beautiful. My 30 year old minors are huge and I wonder how this is going to look after a few years.

Thisb is my 20 year old S. brazoria…

[John in Winston]

Thanks Joe for your interest and the photo!

[VA Jeff]

Sabal palmetto are native right close to there.  Why bother with sabal minor?  (no offense Gary)

I used to grow many varieties of sabals at old houses.   When you are surrounded by them, them become blasee.  If my wife forces me to move back to Virginia, they will be my favorite local palm again.

[John in Winston]

Because I live in Winston-Salem, NC. I want them to grow under a Sabal brazoria.

[SeanK]

7 hours ago, VA Jeff said:

Sabal palmetto are native right close to there.  Why bother with sabal minor?  (no offense Gary)

I used to grow many varieties of sabals at old houses.   When you are surrounded by them, them become blasee.  If my wife forces me to move back to Virginia, they will be my favorite local palm again.

Ahh, I will say that palmetto vs. minor - each fills a different role in the garden. I would plant 6 to 10 minors and only one or two trunking palmettos.