Palms in Northern Virgina

[VirginiaPalms]

I finally broke down a bought a Needle Palm at Home Depot this week. Planted it along a patio wall of my northeast facing condo. Really hoping I can make this work!

It seems a given that I will have to cover up in the winter, even though the palm itself is against a wall and there is a retaining wall about 8 ft away protecting it further.

I'm in Zone 7A, the label says hardy to zone 6, which I can't imagine. I see a few palms around Northern Virginia and the DC area, a lot more in Virginia Beach than I used to.

Any advice is really appreciated!

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

This might soon become an addiction for you!

If you purchased the palm from HD, there's a good chance that it was in a blue pot. With these "blue pot" palms, you will want to provide extra care for the first few winters, as they have been grown in and are used to a very southern location.

[seedscanada]

Welcome to palmsnorth.

Cameron is right. But after the first couple of winters,you may not need much if any protection. These are zone six hardy. Once established and properly sited.

[VirginiaPalms]

Yes, it was in a blue pot alrighty...

Hardly picture worthy yet, but I will post some soon.

[lucky1]

Welcome aboard, Virginia Palms

The planting site sounds like a great microclimate, as long as there's enough sun.

Might be enough space for other stuff too?

Barb

[miketropic]

my blue pto one sailed through last winter with nothing more than a bag of straw over top and it was only a half done job at that..2 burnt leaf tips and its pushing a new spear now. they need a little protection but you don't have to do alot to keep needles alive even in zone 6/7

[TerdalFarm]

Welcome!
I too have grown "blue pot" needle palms. And they are pretty good. Yes, give it a little extra TLC this first winter. If possible, avoid snow/water down in the crown, which can lead to rot.
But realistically, in a couple of years, you will have a nice, big healthy palm you can forget about if you wish.

[sidpook]

Good luck! Should do well in your area. My trachies do well here in South Jersey. Most winters I just try to keep them dry. Throw a trashcan over them if there is a threat of snow or rain and then a cold spell after that (low 20's and teens at night) in teh forecast. I have found the key si to keep them dry int he coldest part of winter and let them get sun , air and breathe on the bright winter days. This winter for example was chilly and rainy (not snowy) so I just covered them a few times with a trash can and did also use a blanket and old pillows on the three nights we got into the teens. Enjoy! Post pics!

[TimMAz6]

my brother is in Fairfax, VA and has great success with S. minor 'NE Texas ecotype'............they are self seeding all over this yard. He also has success with needle palm. S. louisiana in not hardy enough and will die back in normal to cold winter. Trachycarpus is also not really hardy enough and many die in colder than normal winters (mostly due to severe spear pull where it can't recover). I think he's down to one Trachy still alive and it's probably 8ft tall or so.

Here's an older post.....many of the Trachy's are now dead.

viewtopic.php?p=29666

[VirginiaPalms]

OK pretty lightweight and nothing to brag about, but since it is close to the house, I hope it will live prosper and live long.

Looking to fertilize in a couple of weeks.

Soil was Virginia clay but I replaced with top soil and a little bit of sand.

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[JackLord]

I live near you and presently have 6 Needle Palms growing. Never gave them any protection beyond a good layer of mulch in the Winter. They are pretty tough.

My only concern with yours would be its NE siting. Mine are all S to SW.