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Washintonia in UK


palm789

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I been thinking of getting one of these for some time but debating if I should or not.are they good palms for my climate south east wales uk?it havent snowed in 4 years we get alot of rain and the occasional heatwave in spring summer.I dont want to waste my money and time.if they are bad please recommend me an alternative that has crazy big fan leaves.

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Hmm. I've heard of washies making it in London and places like that. They have to have high heat and like it on the dry side. Filifera is by far the most tolerant of the cold.

Trachycarpus will likely do better, since they don't have to have the summer heat.

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Hi,

there's a lot of washies growing in the UK, check out the http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/ if you haven't seen it yet.

Trachies will probably be a much better bet since they grow without any problems on your side of the sea; they'll outgrow the washies most probably as well. In the ground they can rocket and some specimen have really large leaves, there's lots of variation in the species so just find a nice big leaved plant.

If you go for Washingtonia place it in the hottest place you can, a south faced brick wall will help a lot.

There's some folks in the Netherlands getting away with growing them using minimal protection; we get colder winter but also 'hotter' (ehm..) summers so once it goes it can grow quite fast

 

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If you do use a washy, give it super excellent drainage.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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On May 31, 2016 at 4:21:21 PM, DoomsDave said:

Hmm. I've heard of washies making it in London and places like that. They have to have high heat and like it on the dry side. Filifera is by far the most tolerant of the cold.

Trachycarpus will likely do better, since they don't have to have the summer heat.

The problem with filifera is they really don't thrive in cool, wet places.  Robusta grows along the foggy cool California coast all the way to San Francisco and they don't mind the heavy FL rains.  Filifera get diamond scale in cool cloudy sites, and the rain just leaches nutrients right from their foliage.  So I would try both, but predict robusta to perform better.  If you do try, let us know

Land O Lakes FL, a suburb on the North Side of Tampa, FL

Summers are great, 90f/32c in the day & 70f/21c at night with plentiful rain & sun

Winters are subtropical with occasional frosts and freezes. Tropical cyclones happen.

We have a few Royal palms in the warm microclimates but Coconuts freeze.

I am a Kayaker, Hiker, Bicyclist, and amateur Photographer that loves the outdoors.  

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I have seen pictures of good Washingtonia in shelterd towngardens in The Hague in The Netherlands. When you bake them at a sunny wall they grow very well here! And with the warmer climate and much milder winter we are getting now it could be a nice new adition to the exotic courtyard gardens in at least the milder coastal areas here! Washingtonias at least are fast growing and easely availble.

 

Alexander

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  • 2 weeks later...

Washingtonia robusta will ony grow long term in the mildest parts of the UK, if you get lows every winter below -5C then forget it. The only places where they have a chance are right along the south coast from Cornwall & up round to Essex, around the Thames Estuary and London (apart from the colder outer suburbs)...

Malta - USDA Zone 11a

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This guy over in England managed (at least thru the time of this video in 2009) to grow one. Apparently he used some rope lighting and a large umbrella at times.

Link >>>  UK Washingtonia robusta

Cheers, Barrie.

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Hi Palm789 I live in North Wales and have both types in my garden, seedlings all unprotected over winter, however I am on the coast, Mawddach Estuary which makes a big difference. What are your minimum temperatures were you live? They seem to be able to take any amount of rain,  but do not like wet feet. Fortunatly I garden on sand which helps. What type of soil have you got? If you are ever up this way I could give you some seedlings.:D

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On 6/20/2016, 9:57:49, Las Palmas Norte said:

This guy over in England managed (at least thru the time of this video in 2009) to grow one. Apparently he used some rope lighting and a large umbrella at times.

Link >>>  UK Washingtonia robusta

Cheers, Barrie.

I think he set a record for slowest growing robusta ever.

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