Oregon Coast Palm Experiement

[Zach K]

Just writing out some of my thoughts. I noticed that Lincoln City, Pacific City and parts of Seaside fall under 9A designation. 

Would it be feasible to guerilla plant a few experimental palms around those areas to confirm any 9A long term viability? I know by looking at some of the Cordyline australis's (australii? australisies?) in those parts that they seem to grow large, full sized trunks indicating some hope... 

Just curious if anyone else has had this thought and what plants you would like to recommend? (In other words, can we somewhat replicate Brookings OR as far north as seaside?)

 

[Chester B]

15 minutes ago, Zach K said:

Just writing out some of my thoughts. I noticed that Lincoln City, Pacific City and parts of Seaside fall under 9A designation. 

Would it be feasible to guerilla plant a few experimental palms around those areas to confirm any 9A long term viability? I know by looking at some of the Cordyline australis's (australii? australisies?) in those parts that they seem to grow large, full sized trunks indicating some hope... 

Just curious if anyone else has had this thought and what plants you would like to recommend? (In other words, can we somewhat replicate Brookings OR as far north as seaside?)

 

All of the Oregon coast is 9a and warmer, mature Cordylines are always a good indicator.  Brooking is 9B with some bits of 10A so that is a different animal entirely.  North Bend/Coos Bay seems to be the area where you can start doing some more interesting things, its when you start getting into 9B.  The lower 1/3 of the coast is when you'll start to see the mature CIDPs and Washys, Regular Citrus, Agave attenuata and Norfolk Island pines.

I've recently been informed that the most in the plant/nursery trade consider Portland as 9a now, with pockets of 9B.  It makes sense with my observations of no 8B temps since I've lived here, and the fact that if you look around there are very large Cordylines these days, as in over 10 years old.  Now our 9A is still not the same as a Southern 9A so there are limitations.

 

Edited July 29, 2022 by Chester B

[Zach K]

Brookings is a whole nuther' beast for sure.

The nursery trade's are saying that even with the ice/snow events its still a 9a and even possible 9b?? Incredible.

I noticed this year especially that cordylines around PDX and Vancouver are all blooming and many have very sizeable trunks.

Im thinking its safe to say CIDP's and washies can grow all along the coast then.

[Banana Belt]

19 hours ago, Chester B said:

All of the Oregon coast is 9a and warmer, mature Cordylines are always a good indicator.  Brooking is 9B with some bits of 10A so that is a different animal entirely.  North Bend/Coos Bay seems to be the area where you can start doing some more interesting things, its when you start getting into 9B.  The lower 1/3 of the coast is when you'll start to see the mature CIDPs and Washys, Regular Citrus, Agave attenuata and Norfolk Island pines.

I've recently been informed that the most in the plant/nursery trade consider Portland as 9a now, with pockets of 9B.  It makes sense with my observations of no 8B temps since I've lived here, and the fact that if you look around there are very large Cordylines these days, as in over 10 years old.  Now our 9A is still not the same as a Southern 9A so there are limitations.

 

Chester: I agree.  South end areas of Coos Bay are warmer climates because of the many Inlets, Isthmus Slough, Catching Slough, South Slough and others.  North Bend is cooler than Coos Bay because of the wind.  Areas up the Coast like Newport, Garibaldi and places with rivers, lakes or sloughs will also have their micro-climates where Palms and citrus can survive.  I have been informed that there are several Jubaea doing well in and around Coos Bay, over ten years old.

The far nothern Coast of Oregon gets more rain and wind, but even so there should be spots of nice micro-climates.

[Chester B]

19 hours ago, Zach K said:

Brookings is a whole nuther' beast for sure.

The nursery trade's are saying that even with the ice/snow events its still a 9a and even possible 9b?? Incredible.

I noticed this year especially that cordylines around PDX and Vancouver are all blooming and many have very sizeable trunks.

Im thinking its safe to say CIDP's and washies can grow all along the coast then.

Zone 9a is 20F and above. My low temps are usually 25F with this last winter I had one night at 24F. Every other year we get one day that will sit at or just below freezing. I think most cold hardy palm enthusiasts would be happy with those temps. 
 

Back in early Jan 2017 we had the Snowpocalypse event that shut down the city. During that time the ultimate low was 19F. So just barely 8B. 
 

I have a neighbor within a garden older than mine and he gots a decent mule, two pretty big tree ferns and some other goodies. He’s never protected them. The only thing he does is his queen. 
 

This year I also noticed all the big Cordylines in bloom around here. Plus the garden centers have brought in so many different types this year and big ones too. 

[Shelia]

Feel free to guerilla send me palms to grow here anytime you'd like.  :).  I'm Cape Blanco, hour south of Coos Bay.

[Zach K]

Sure thing. Right now I don't have anything to send out but if anyone reading does, it would be cool to experiment in the Langlois/Port Orford region!

From the couple times ive driven by Port orford, I only know of one Washingtonia, a eucalyptus and mature cordyline tree. What else is growing there?

[Chester B]

I would expect Washingtonia robusta, CIDP and maybe queens would be fine there.  You’re in 9b so it opens a lot of possibilities. 

[NBTX11]

How about coastal southern Washington.  Anyone tried there.  Perhaps they should.