My new front yard look - Pictures inside!

[ScottyON]

I agree with you guys.. Trachy's are much easier for us to grow up north but still, if you saw Bill's Washies in person you would S$%^ your pants! They look great, but a lot of work! You place would like nice with a few big Trachy's Tim... My washie looks pretty crappy and growing soooo slowly!

[TerdalFarm]

I like Washy as much as the next, but they are not easy. For the same work you put into a Washy, you could grow a Butia which I think are even better looking, and perhaps a little hardier to boot.
So, yes, get the big Trachy. If you decide to make an effort for a marginal palm, I suggest a big Butia. --Erik

[hardyjim]

My idea when I got into this was to display the palms(unprotected)as long as possible.
Butias,Trachys and Sabals should allow me to do that,Washys should also allow this to some extent but
the problem(at least where I live and probably most areas)is that temps have been below normal the last 3+
years.
This make growing Washys a problem if there isn't enough heat in the summer,we were all led to believe that
Washys grow a couple feet of trunk every year,I am sure we all would be in if that were the case because it would be worth it.


Anyway..........it will be interesting if we get some hot summers and warmer springs to see just how far north it's worth it to grow them.
You really do need some summer heat for these to store enough nuts for winter!

[TerdalFarm]

Cheer up, Jim: 2010 is shaping up to be very warm.
Here is a summary from NOAA:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/?report=g ... ort#strato
As El Nino fades and a La Nina comes on, the year may not finish quite so well.

As for palms, going Rhapidophyllum/Sabal/Trachycarpus in the ground makes the most sense to me, with special efforts for Butia. No harm in keeping the rest in pots.
I'm already regretting planting my Brahea. --Erik

[hardyjim]

Did I sound sad or something

I am not,my Washys are exploding!
It remains to be seen if there is enough GDD here for Washys to survive,
my thought has always been-save some leaves and summer heat should do the job.

These 2 enter their 2nd summer with flying(green)colors!