Phoenix dactylferia in fort mill?

[Haddock]

Hi I live in the fort mill ( SC )area. I was wondering if Phoenix dactylferia could survive here and grow to be fully mature as it usually never gets cold enough to damage them in January( the few times it gets into the 20s is only for a few hours and not a hard freeze). If that won’t grow here could you suggest a few other tall palms that would grow here without protection ( other then palmetto, pindo, and windmills). Thanks.

[climate change virginia]

go for a sylvestris and give it protection every year

[NCFM]

Dactys don't seem to do very well in the 8a regions of the Southeast. They usually succumb to the mixture of humidity and freezing winter temps. But, still worth a shot if you're okay with the possibility of it croaking. You might have better luck attaining that "big and tall" look with washingtonia filibusta, mule palm, sabal causiarum, or even pheonix canariensis, Those species are better suited for our climate, though they still aren't bulletproof in 8a like the sabal palmetto or trachycarpus you're trying to avoid, so without occasional protection they are still iffy. Definitely still worth trying, though. Best of luck to you 

Edited February 22, 2021 by NC_Palm_Enthusiast

[Xerarch]

Isn't Phoenix theophrasti supposed to be a little hardier than the other large Phoenix palms? Would it do ok-ish in humid 8a?

[climate change virginia]

48 minutes ago, Xerarch said:

Isn't Phoenix theophrasti supposed to be a little hardier than the other large Phoenix palms? Would it do ok-ish in humid 8a?

yes they are but still require protection

[Teegurr]

16 hours ago, Haddock said:

Hi I live in the fort mill ( SC )area. I was wondering if Phoenix dactylferia could survive here and grow to be fully mature as it usually never gets cold enough to damage them in January( the few times it gets into the 20s is only for a few hours and not a hard freeze). If that won’t grow here could you suggest a few other tall palms that would grow here without protection ( other then palmetto, pindo, and windmills). Thanks.

It will be quite dicey, as you are in a cold-middle 8a with average winter lows in the low 30s, right? With that, you probably can't expect any Phoenix to get to maturity. Definitely, I do encourage to try with protection, but it gets harder to protect when the palm gets huge. As for other tall palms, maybe try a Washingtonia filifera or filibusta. Filifera, although uncommon in the Southeast, have been known to grow there and should be pretty much fully hardy to your zone. Filibusta will like your wet winters better, but may not be as hardy, but it's definitely worth a shot in your zone. Although hard to find, you may want to try other Trachycarpus species, there are some really nice ones like princeps and takil that are fully hardy in your zone. Try a sabal uresana, too. Beautiful blue-green color, very hardy. Maybe try a Brahea armata. They grow very slowly, though (especially in humid environments), but they have been known to grow in quite humid spots like New Orleans. 

[Haddock]

On 2/22/2021 at 11:36 PM, Teegurr said:

It will be quite dicey, as you are in a cold-middle 8a with average winter lows in the low 30s, right? With that, you probably can't expect any Phoenix to get to maturity. Definitely, I do encourage to try with protection, but it gets harder to protect when the palm gets huge. As for other tall palms, maybe try a Washingtonia filifera or filibusta. Filifera, although uncommon in the Southeast, have been known to grow there and should be pretty much fully hardy to your zone. Filibusta will like your wet winters better, but may not be as hardy, but it's definitely worth a shot in your zone. Although hard to find, you may want to try other Trachycarpus species, there are some really nice ones like princeps and takil that are fully hardy in your zone. Try a sabal uresana, too. Beautiful blue-green color, very hardy. Maybe try a Brahea armata. They grow very slowly, though (especially in humid environments), but they have been known to grow in quite humid spots like New Orleans. 

Hmm. Are there any Phoenix species that would be hardy here?

[DAVEinMB]

46 minutes ago, Haddock said:

Hmm. Are there any Phoenix species that would be hardy here?

Any phoenix is going to be a gamble in the piedmont. Canariensis is probably your best bet from a non-hybid standpoint but crosses seem to be tougher than their pure-blooded counterparts. If you can get your hands on a canariensis x dactylifera, canariensis x sylvestris, or dactylifera x sylvestris they may live long enough to enjoy. 

Edited February 24, 2021 by DAVEinMB

[Haddock]

On 2/24/2021 at 5:03 PM, DAVEinMB said:

Any phoenix is going to be a gamble in the piedmont. Canariensis is probably your best bet from a non-hybid standpoint but crosses seem to be tougher than their pure-blooded counterparts. If you can get your hands on a canariensis x dactylifera, canariensis x sylvestris, or dactylifera x sylvestris they may live long enough to enjoy. 

Which one of those hybrids has the best chance?

thanks 

[climate change virginia]

3 hours ago, Haddock said:

Which one of those hybrids has the best chance?

thanks 

dacty x sylvestris because a dacty probably has the most cold tolerance in dry climates and sylvestris is good for wet climates so if you cross that you get a hybrid vigor

Edited February 27, 2021 by climate change virginia

[DAVEinMB]

@Haddock this thread might be of interest to you

 

[WSimpson]

On 2/22/2021 at 6:51 AM, Haddock said:

Hi I live in the fort mill ( SC )area. I was wondering if Phoenix dactylferia could survive here and grow to be fully mature as it usually never gets cold enough to damage them in January( the few times it gets into the 20s is only for a few hours and not a hard freeze). If that won’t grow here could you suggest a few other tall palms that would grow here without protection ( other then palmetto, pindo, and windmills). Thanks.

Sabal Birminghams will survive down close to 0F . Most people don't think of them as a trunking palm because they are so slow , but they do trunk up .