Palms in Augusta, GA

[JLeVert]

Augusta, GA is right on the Fall Line - that is, the elevation drops quickly from the Piedmond area of Georgia which goes up over 1,000' to the Lower Coastal Plain. Downtown Augusta is 135' above sea level, but only a mile or so away, the elevation goes up to 440'. Those upper elevations are actually hugh sand dunes from when the ocean was up to Augusta. I don't remember that time since it was 40,000,000 years ago, but the climate and soils still reflect the unique situation of the area. Lots of palms can grow here, but the number of species is limited because we are far enough inland to allow for severe freezes every 25 years or so. S. minor is native. Serenoa and Rhapidophyllum are native about 1 hour south of town. S. palmetto has been growing here at least 100 years. Butias are all over the place. Phoenix won't make it long term. A few pictures follow from the school where I teach:

Sabal mexicana:

Brahea armata

Rhapidophyllum, Chamaerops and Butia odorata

[Mandrew968]

Amazing. My cousin lives in Bainbridge and I am trying to get him to grow some domingensis--you think they would grow there? have you tried other types of Butia? How about a Jubaea--maybe that would grow for you guys...

[Zeeth]

Have you seen this variety of saw palmetto that was sold on RPS at one point called 'Georgia Silver'?

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/SerGeoSil.shtml

[Mandrew968]

The silver ones are native to Luisiana... probably just a sales gimmick.

[Alicehunter2000]

Silver S. reopens are native to Merritt Island area of East Coast of Fl. ..... Louisiana ? .... never herd of that one.

The Brahea armata in Georgia is a hopeful sign. Gotta be humid up there.

[Mandrew968]

Well, I guess the best way to know is to find some there that are 20 feet high--Florida has green ones that tall(green are native) but I have never heard or seen of any silver ones that tall... You may be right--I am just repeating what I heard, which can make ya look stupid sometimes... I am interested now; this palm is native to Louisiana but you still may be right.

[JLeVert]

There are silvery Serenoa even on the coast of Georgia mixed in with the green, but the most silver ones are from Hobe Sound in Florida. I have one at the school and it is growing just fine. It made it through 13F last winter with minimal damage. I also have Butia eriospatha, yatay and purpurescens growing at the school. They are all doing well even after last winter.

A few more pictures:

Trachycarpus nanus

Silver Serenoa

Local S. minor in Gum Swamp across the Savannah River from Augusta in South Carolina

Another Trachy. nanus

[Alicehunter2000]

Really nice S. reopens (silver)!!!

[Bigfish]

Joe, always love seeing your pictures! One of these days I hope to make it down there to see it all in person. The T. nanus that I got from you from your seeds many years ago bit the dust this spring after spitting out a few weak leaves. I still have several others left though.

[JLeVert]

Frank -

I always wondered how those seeds did for you. I may have to plant a few myself. T. nanus would make a nice large groundcover, I think. They don't sucker and the blue-green leaves would light up a lightly shaded area.

[Palm crazy]

Lots of great looking palms in the deep south, glad you’re posting more pics.

[Josh-O]

I agree, that's a real nice silvery blue SR!! awesome pictures

[JLeVert]

Here are a few more from the Augusta area:

Chamaerops humilis 'Argentea'

Sabal uresana (old picture; this palm has about 5' of clear trunk now)

Guihaia argerata

Serenoa repens from Hobe Inlet in Florida. This is supposed to be the most silver clone of Serenoa.

Sabal etonia (left) and Sabal minor (right)

[tank]

Terrific plants Joe, thanks for posting. How old is that Guihaia? Would love to see an updated picture of your S. uresana.

[Mandrew968]

Guihaia grows for you?! Holy Bejoly! I thought it was only good to low 20's?

[Mandrew968]

As far as I know, this is the biggest saw palmetto in my area--pretty big for anywhere, I would guess...

You can't tell but the two large trunks creep on the ground for about ten feet, before shooting upward.

[JLeVert]

Beautiful Serenoa. Here are a few from Matanzas Inlet just south of Saint Augustine.

These were recovering from a brush fire near Saint Augustine:

That Guihaia pictured above has survived 13F. It didn't like it, but then, who does. Rocks grow faster!! I'll have to find a more recent picture of the Uresana.

[Scot from SC]

Great pictures Joe! I hope my Uresana looks like that one some day.

[Alicehunter2000]

Really liking these pictures...........Guihaia.....huh....guess need to try that one.

Chamaerops humilis 'Argentea' is outstanding!

[smithgn]

Great pics. Guihaia argerata, I've heard those are difficult to germinate, difficult to grow and on top of that, difficult to find. Phil said he "hates those things", when I spoke to him not too long ago. I've heard stories of those things up and dying out of the blue for seemingly no reason. They're a pretty palm and props to you for having one!

[JLeVert]

I had one that up and died....probably because it was in too much shade and stayed too damp in the summer. The one that lived is in a very dry place at the base of an Incense Cedar.