Best palms for Ford city or Agua Dulce (CA)

[Enrq]

First of all, sorry for my English. I am Enrique (Henry) and I am writing from the south of Spain, specifically near Seville. Although I have been reading this forum for more than a year I have never dared to participate, today I have finally decided to create an account, so I greet you all officially.

I am trying to create a tropical environment around a swimming pool (I have about 18 species planted in soil) something that goes against the scorching heat that we suffer in our summers (I think the heat is more limiting for me than the cold). Comparing climate zones I have found that these two sites in California are quite similar to my climate zone, although I doubt that the air is as dry as here in summer. 
I would like to know the experience with palms of other more experienced people who live near these towns if possible and which ones would be the most recommendable.

A big greeting to this wonderful community!

[kinzyjr]

@Enrq Welcome to PalmTalk!

The record low in Seville is -5.5C/22.1F according to Wikipedia. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seville#Climate

This means that you have a lot of choices for palms that can tolerate the worst in history.  Palms in the following genera are a good start: Phoenix species (date palms), Livistona, Bismarckia, Sabal, Chamaerops, Washingtonia, Brahea

Some of the cool-tolerant palms like Archontophoenix and Howea should do OK with the appropriate siting as well.

You have a pretty wide palette to choose from, but these are a great start for a semi-arid Mediterranean climate.

[Enrq]

@kinzyjr thank you very much for your welcome!

I'm scared of the cold... I have lost some palms although I think it was more due to my negligence than to the winter temperatures.

I have some phoenix (loureiroi and rupicola are going to spend their first winter and a roebelenii did quite well last winter and this summer), sabal (umbraculifera, maritima, minor and mexicana in their first winter), livistona (australis one winter without problems, mariae will be its first winter and saribus ready for spring planting), a bismarckia waiting for spring (although I already lost one by planting it in october last year), brahea (armata and nitida, its first winter) and a washingtonia (about 15 years old). I planted an archontophoenix cunninghamiana a year ago and the winter was not too bad, but I suspect it doesn't like our summers as it seems to be completely stopped growing. I have a potted alexandrae which has managed to put out some leaves, but I suspect I need much more shade, as the garden is practically a field without trees (I promise to upload some photos with the species, I have about 18 in the ground and many seedlings germinated from seed).

I am trying to create a good canopy to get shade, I am trying to fight against desiccation although I suspect it will take me more years than I would like, as I only want to have palm trees in that area. And yes, I got palms fever very high and very fast...

[96720]

Welcome to palmtalk!!! I’m I’m phoenix very hoooot and drrrry we don’t get as cold as you I don’t think Bismarckia will make it with that much cold I almost lost one not nearly as cold as you have my favorite palm is a royal takes heat with no problem but don’t think it would take your cold!!!

[Josue Diaz]

Hola Enrique,  compara tu clima con el de Fresno CA. 

I had to look up where Ford City is and Agua Dulce- both are very dry locations (one adjacent to the Mojave desert and the other one in the San Joaquin Valley, both very arid places.) Ford City, being in the southern San Joaquin Valley is very similar in climate to the rest of the valley. In general, the eastern edge of the valley is warmer, and the southern end is drier - but summer and winter temps have very little variation from Bakersfield in the south, all the way north to roughly Stockton. From Stockton northward, summer temps are a few degrees cooler and there tends to be more rain. 

Bismarkia grows well in this area, phoenix of all types, sabal of all types, livistona, brahea, washingtonia of course, jubaea, butia, syagrus... all very proven in this area. Archontophoenix is good only in the warmer parts (generally the eastern parts of the valley). Howea do great with shade and overhead protection from frost. Same with chambeyronia and pritchardia hildebrandii. Caryota urens grows well in Fresno, as does copernicia alba. Beccariophoenix has been incredible for me in Fresno - its not a very common palm in California yet. Parajubaea also grows well. And Jubaeopsis grows well in the warmer parts. I'm missing a lot I'm sure, but that's what comes to mind. 

 

Here is a photo of my front yard in Fresno. 

 

 

 

[Enrq]

@96720 thanks for your welcome! I know that bismarckia is not a safe option... but what the hell, it is one of the most beautiful palms for my taste and I have to try it! I also love the royals but as you say I don't think it will withstand the winter, maybe in the future with more experience I will try it.

 

Hello@Josue Diaz 

I have compared the climates of Fresno and my village and it is true that they are very similar, although the summer seems to be a bit cooler in Fresno, as well as the winter a bit milder. 

The palms that grow in towns near me that I have seen are phoenix canariensis and dactylifera, washingtonia robusta and filifera, syagrus romanzoffiana and some old roebelenii.
I have a small chambeyronia oliviformis, although it will be in pot for a long time for now, and a lot of c. alba seedlings still small. 
Here in Europe unfortunately we don't have the availability of US species, but little by little I hope to enlarge my collection.

Thank you very much for your extensive reply!

[96720]

I agree Bismarckia is a beautiful palm I have I have 12 in the ground and now they are big and we haven’t had a real cold winter in sometime I don’t think the cold will bother big ones so if you could get them some size they might make it same with royals small ones are much more sensitive to cold but the problem is getting them big!!!