Calgary into zone 10b for 99 days!?

[Cowtown Palm Society]

Hi from Calgary Hardy Palm Lovers!

Thought I'd give you an update on the hardy palm / yucca cause from Calgary. Nothing special compared to what many of you innovators are putting together, but I'd like to show-off my plants anyway! Northwest facing yard in zone 3b has its challenges for this hobby.

I had my Needle out in mid April before we were bombarded with an arctic front, bad even for Calgary (-20 Celsius windchills). Finally got the Needle out for good in early May where he endured a few light freezes and a blizzard (cool picture, I think, of him at night with lots of snow beside on the sidewalk) and finally a week of cold rain. I re-potted him yesterday (also pictured in gallery). Hopefully it responds well to that.

I've been happy that our Golden Acres garden store has brought in some interesting plants this / last season (hopefully they'll start to bring in trunking yuccas someday!). Last year I picked up a Trachy Fortunei (the one is pictured here seems to be recovering from an ill-timed fall re-potting last year-I had to remove several brown fronds this winter). Yesterday I was thrilled to see a one gallon Washy Robusta, which seemed bigger to me. I promptly purchased him for $12.99 (included in the picture gallery). If you reside in a warm (relatively speaking) climate, please don't tell me that they are weeds or that I got ripped off...lol-it's new territory in Calgary! I also picked up a Yucca Filamentosa (pictured), which should easily be hardy to Calgary (the store also had Glauca: native to Alberta). Finally, there's a picture of my little Yucca Rostrata (purchased from Broadway in St. Catherines) which hasn't appeared to particularly care for its winter confines. Hopefully it responds to its outdoor home.

Please check out my plants! Good luck this season everyone!

Duncan


http://www.imagehostdirect.com/galler ... wn-Gardens

[Dean W.]

Duncan,

Looking good.

Dean

[DesertZone]

Nice, brings a warm feeling to the deck.

[Okanagan desert-palms]

Duncan very nice. That W. robusta should be a fast grower this summer. Nice to see Calgary getting the palm and yucca bug.

John

[Jay-Admin]

Looks good Duncan.

[oppalm]

Duncan - nice work. I think you got a heck of deal on the Washy. They aren't any cheaper where I live. The only problem you may have is that in a few years it may be casting too much shade on your patio and you'll have to relocate out to the yard and then you can plant some shade loving hostas or impatiens under it. Keep up the good work.

[Cowtown Palm Society]

Thanks All!

Kent,

The Washys grow that fast eh? Wow, cool, not sure what my wife will think!


Duncan

[lucky1]

Hey Duncan, nice pics.
$12.99 dirt cheap...good deal!
Excellent buy.

Like you, we Okanagan folks had a lousy April, setting things back considerably.
And 3b couldn't be easy.
Great shot of that Needle, it'll do well for you.

Trunking Yuccas! music to our ears. Hoping other stores will catch on.
My Y.rostrata seedlings (5 made it) are tiny and look like grass, ha ha.
I'll be 110 years old before they trunk

Your Y.rostrata and filamentosa should do well with your care, just keep them from soggy conditions in winter.
I'd still give them winter protection beyond that.

Barb

[nucci60]

pretty good deal now on ebay. 3 gallon washies, $7.50 plus $15.00 shipping in U.S.