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Hardy Palm Suggestion?

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by HarryS, Dec 4, 2020.

  1. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    Next spring I would like to buy a hardy palm for a full sun container location. It would need to be Ok to stand outside all year in a zone 3 location ( -5°c possible). I already have a couple of Mediterranean palms ( Chamaerops Humilis). So would like a nice looking palm that will not grow to big in a container. Any ideas?
    TIA
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Harry, I think whatever palm you choose it will after a few years outgrow a container.

    Your limited because you want a hardy one, only ones I have tried are what you already have and..............

    You could try a Trachycarpus, maybe a Phoenix canariensis, but I dont think that is very hardy in my experience.
    Butia capitata seems fairly hardy.
     
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    • strongylodon

      strongylodon Old Member

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      I agree with Pete, you have two of the three hardy ones, Butia is, but usually more expensive to buy and not so easily obtainable. Phoenix will take -5c but not for long periods.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        The other problem with Butia is that its not until it gets pretty big that it becomes ornamental.
        Similar with Trachy, A young one, can, look very similar to a Chamy until it gets older.
         
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          I've had a Phoenix, in a large pot, on the Patio for 15 years and it's doing fine.
           
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          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            At my last home, I set out an area for palms. I bought a several from ‘Hardy Palms’ and planted them out. We had a hard winter and lost the lot :doh:
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              Unlucky Freddy, were they the two bad winters we had around 2009 (?)
              Thanks all for the advice and suggestions..
              It looks like Phoenix may be a possible,I'll look at that in more detail.
              Also what about the King sago palm, is that ok for outside? Lots of adverts sell them as an indoor plant only?
               
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              • JWK

                JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                The main two I grow here are Trachycarpus and Cordyline australis. The cordylines are less hardy than Trachycarpus and many were lost in the bad winter 10 years ago, but they re-sprouted from the root or half way up the trunk. If you are prepared to throw some fleece over them when the weather is really bad you should get away with it.

                I don't have Phoenix because it has very sharp leaflets and want my garden to be reasonably safe for my little grandkids to wander around.

                I have King sago (Cycas revoluta) that is outdoors from May to October. I over-wintered in an unheated greenhouse for the first few years but it looked very tatty after getting frosted. So I now bring it into my frost free greenhouse over-winter. It needs a little warmth to keep the lush look.
                 
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                • ThePlantAssassin

                  ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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                  Me too!!!!
                  Ive wanted one for ages but dont have a clue where to start. They seen expensive so need to make the right choice. Mine would need to be in a pot outside all year in a sunny sheltered corner on the south coast. I wouldnt even know where to buy it from or what soil to use etc etc etc.
                  I watch Monty on Gardeners World plant and lift/fleece his tree palms every year on the tv and I hanker......positively hanker I tell ya.
                  Having one is kinda on my bucket list. Sounds daft but thats how much I want one.
                   
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                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                    I think I bought mine as a small pot plant from Wilko's all that time ago!:scratch::heehee:
                     
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                    • ThePlantAssassin

                      ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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                      Im no spring chicken so Id like to buy a 'ready made' one so to speak. Also I will admit Im a bit .....if I want it I want it now!!.... Think that's called impatient, which isnt the best way for a gardener to be but hey ho....I is what I is
                       
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                      • Freddy

                        Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                          For a beginner I don't think you can beat either Trachycarpus or Chamaerops, probably the two hardiest, Chamaerops has spines so be careful of that one.
                          On the south coast you can probably get away with Phoenix canariensis
                          Cordyline australis is palm like and grows faster.

                          I think the plant you see Monty covering up is a tree fern which looks like a palm but a totally different kettle of fish. :smile:
                           
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                          • ThePlantAssassin

                            ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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                            sorry @HarryS
                            seem to have hijacked your thread a bit. At least I learnt that what I think Im looking for is something different from what you are asking about. I want a tree like thing that has a course raffia type trunk with fronds of leaves that fan out which I think is as pete says is a tree palm. Ive seen the Rich brothers use them lots of times in the garden makeover programmes with Charlie Dimmock. I never had the common sense to write down what they called them. I think my common sense did a runner several decades ago actually.
                            I just want one to sit in the corner like I did many many times as a child and behave itself. Id like it 5 or 6 feet tall so dont mind if its a bit pricey. Mind you there is pricy and there is pricy!
                             
                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            Dicksonia antarctica.:biggrin:

                            A few hundred, ££££££

                            Usually imported from Tasmania.:yikes:
                             
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