By
GregVirginia7
Good morning! Don’t want to be boring on such a beautiful day but wanted to update on my zone 7 palms here in Northern Virginia. So far, no long, oppressive stretches of heat, somewhat cool nights, beneficial rains…not your typical NOVA experience…
Named it Sasquatch…it’s trunk is about 9 feet tall now and that furry top 2 feet reminds me of a Sasquatch head. I do think it’s genetically engineered for the winter cold. It’s been a great palm.
Sunny, wetter Needle…
Shady, drier Needle…
Brazoria really busting out and I’ll have seeds for the first time in 8 years or so…will definitely sprout some and share some if the damn squirrels don’t get to them first.
Newest Trachy with some insect damage I’ve never seen before but it’s growing fast…stop yawning…
Medi really doing well with a 2’ trunk but practically no protection. This past mild winter did yield some frond damage so guess I’ll just be cautious and ready to shroud it as long as that is possible…it’s really not a lot of damage, just enough to set off my neurotic urge to cut fronds off that otherwise should be left alone…but I’ve left them alone and, of course, my eye is drawn to the brown segment distractions but I’m getting better at accepting it.
Mr. McCurtain…nice bluish cast to it but blue doesn’t grow it, so it remains as it is…maybe one frond a season…I’m sure it’s just way too shaded…
Sabal minor seedling…have 3 of them on the bank…about as energetic as the McCurtain but no-protection wonders in their little microclimate…
My miracle of the season…Butia catarinensis found growing off the deck in total shade…tried sprouting several with the bag method a year or so ago. Seeds molded so I laid them out on the garden bench to dry and a squirrel stole them all and this one managed to sprout…went through a winter and spring of total shade, no heat from the sun and here it is. Proof that not all squirrels are bad. There is one that knows what it’s doing. This was a really exciting find!
Small pond facing south…never freezes as long as the water is moving…kind of the center of the south-facing microclimate…maybe adds a bit of heat in the winter as rocks and water catch the winter sun? Anyway, we zone 7 enthusiasts may be limited, but the enjoyment of getting these odd things to thrive here is very gratifying…and anyone who comes over for the first time is amazed…one day a tree removal guy told me he thought Sasquatch was fake…made me laugh.