North Houston Palm Species

[Chester B]

I was told St Augustine grass. Not sure if that’s good or bad. 
 

I’ll blow through this space in no time. I have a lot of palms ready for the ground!

[SeanK]

On 5/26/2023 at 2:16 PM, Xenon said:

How far north are we talking? IAH area is a lot warmer than Woodlands or Conroe. 

I'm assuming "marginal" means hardy most winters and often survives for many years (perhaps decades) without protection and "real zone push" means requires light but not extensive protection on a handful of days each year most years. 

100% hardy: all of the zone 8 stuff including CIDP and Butia. Most Caribbean Sabal spp. and S. rosei will burn in the teens but are bud hardy.  Arenga engleri, Rhapis and Acoelorrhaphe wrightii work as perennials, arborescent stems will die in the low 20s. 

Depending on how far north (IAH yes, Conroe probably not) these are pretty much 100% hardy due to bud hardiness: Livistona chinensis, Brahea armata and probably other Brahea spp., Phoenix sylvestris, most seed grown P. dactylifera and mule palms 

Marginal in descending hardiness: Washingtonia robusta, field grown Medjool dates, Livistona saribus, queens, Bismarckia, Livistona decora, L. nítida, L. australis, Copernicia alba, pygmy dates (bud hardiness), Phoenix rupícola (bud hardiness), Ravenea rivularis (bud hardiness). All of these have reached maturity in Houston at some point. Queens and robusta will become weeds, and a freeway was lined with L. decora for over 15 years. 

Real zone push: Dypsis decaryi and the "more hardy" crownshaft palms like Archonotophoenix cunninghamia, royals, foxtails. 9B or borderline 10a stuff in general. For reference I have Chambeyronia, Cyphophoenix, and other tropicals in west Houston that only need protection <5 days a year, even after the second coldest winter in 30+ years. 

What is Houston's zone rating over the past 5 winters?

[Chester B]

14 minutes ago, SeanK said:

What is Houston's zone rating over the past 5 winters?

All I know is that it’s rated 9B. 
 

What the last 5 winters amounted to I’ll leave that for others to comment on. I think during Palmageddon some areas got down to 17F. 

[Meangreen94z]

Nice, that’s a decent sized backyard.

[Swolte]

53 minutes ago, Chester B said:

I was told St Augustine grass. Not sure if that’s good or bad. 

Well, that's certainly easier to get rid of! 

Excited to see what you'll make of the place. It currently looks as bland and unimaginative as can be in terms of design! I am afraid to ask but how many palms did you bring?!

Edited December 20, 2023 by Swolte

[Xenon]

38 minutes ago, SeanK said:

What is Houston's zone rating over the past 5 winters?

Why do you want to look at 5 years in isolation? But since you asked...

IAH (North Houston): 23F

Hobby (Central and South Houston): 25.4F 

Keep in mind this includes BOTH the #1 and #2 coldest lows since 1989 (and coldest by a longshot, #3 does not even come close). 

For comparison here are the warmest 5 seasons (04/05-08/09). 

IAH: 28F

Hobby: 30.2F

There are also numerous microclimates due to UHI and Galveston Bay. On the mainland, areas with the Bay due north around Bacliff, San Leon, and parts of Texas City run warmest (warmer/on par with the east end of Galveston Island).  The "urbanized" area from downtown and extending to areas to the south (TMC, NRG) and southwest (Uptown, Galleria) also typically run warmer than Hobby, especially in advective cold events. 

[Xenon]

1 hour ago, Chester B said:

I was told St Augustine grass. Not sure if that’s good or bad. 
 

I’ll blow through this space in no time. I have a lot of palms ready for the ground!

St Augustine is good, most common grass here. Bermuda is horribly invasive and looks weedy if not mowed often. 

New space needs some 50% off queens and Washies from Houston Garden Center for instant gratification lol 

[_nevi]

On 5/26/2023 at 11:57 AM, Xenon said:

Of course we had the mega freeze of 2021 and 2022 which has pretty much eradicated 30+ years of +/- solid zone 9 growth i.e giant queen palms, citrus, etc.

You know, I've been focused on palms — but I wasn't as much focused on what happened to the citrus (as well as any recoveries that might have happened). I saw some sort of citrus tree full of yellow fruit some weeks ago in the Sugar Land area — not sure the exact identity though (as it was while I was driving).

I know that there are options, but it really does feel like you are just stuck with palmettos and mexicanas in terms of zone 8 temps. There are new queen palm plantings I believe closer to Museum District Houston, and any survivals from the recent freezes are being documented on the "Texas Palm Photos" thread — otherwise, it looks as if NOLA area is the last "bastion" on the Gulf Coast regarding "unaffected post 80s plantings" (though NOLA actually dipped down to 16°F during 1996, for some reason).

Edited December 20, 2023 by _nevi

[Allen]

16 hours ago, Chester B said:

I was told St Augustine grass. Not sure if that’s good or bad. 

I’ll blow through this space in no time. I have a lot of palms ready for the ground!

Well congrats!  Change that profile zone.  Looking forward to plantings!

[Xenon]

8 minutes ago, _nevi said:

You know, I've been focused on palms — but I wasn't as much focused on what happened to the citrus (as well as any recoveries that might have happened). I saw some sort of citrus tree full of yellow fruit some weeks ago in the Sugar Land area — not sure the exact identity though (as it was while I was driving).

I know that there are options, but it really does feel like you are just stuck with palmettos and mexicanas in terms of zone 8 temps. There are new queen palm plantings I believe closer to Museum District Houston, and any survivals from the recent freezes are being documented on the "Texas Palm Photos" thread — otherwise, it looks as if NOLA area is the last "bastion" on the Gulf Coast regarding "unaffected post 80s plantings" (though NOLA actually dipped down to 16°F during 1996, for some reason).

99.9% it was citrange, the most common citrus rootstock here. It's a hybrid of trifoliate and navel orange. May also be Swingle citrumelo, a trifoliate and grapefruit hybrid. They all taste nasty! Most all grafted citrus died, even the 25 year old satsumas etc - freeze duration in 2021 was just too long and there was almost zero hardening/dormancy due to the 80 degree days/60 degree nights preceding the deep freeze (pretty much worst case scenario). Retail citrus is flying off the shelves though so it seems people are replanting. 

There are new queens everywhere, never a shortage of them at the big box or HGC  . 

Yep, NOLA still looks great. Lots of queen palms. NOLA did hit around 20F several times in the past 10-15 years so no zone 10 holdovers from the 2000s. Bayfront Houston suburbs and Galveston managed till 2021...I think Grand Isle might still be slipping by? 

 

[RFun]

19 hours ago, Xenon said:

St Augustine is good, most common grass here. Bermuda is horribly invasive and looks weedy if not mowed often. 

New space needs some 50% off queens and Washies from Houston Garden Center for instant gratification lol 

I was going to say the same thing.  Can't go wrong with that.  Nice texture to it as well.

[MarcusH]

4 hours ago, Xenon said:

99.9% it was citrange, the most common citrus rootstock here. It's a hybrid of trifoliate and navel orange. May also be Swingle citrumelo, a trifoliate and grapefruit hybrid. They all taste nasty! Most all grafted citrus died, even the 25 year old satsumas etc - freeze duration in 2021 was just too long and there was almost zero hardening/dormancy due to the 80 degree days/60 degree nights preceding the deep freeze (pretty much worst case scenario). Retail citrus is flying off the shelves though so it seems people are replanting. 

There are new queens everywhere, never a shortage of them at the big box or HGC  . 

Yep, NOLA still looks great. Lots of queen palms. NOLA did hit around 20F several times in the past 10-15 years so no zone 10 holdovers from the 2000s. Bayfront Houston suburbs and Galveston managed till 2021...I think Grand Isle might still be slipping by? 

 

We have St Augustine. It's too hot and too dry for St Augustine here in San Antonio also crab grass loves that type of grass. I wish we would have something different more drought resistant.  Will be better off growing in areas with more rain like Houston.  

[Xenon]

Just now, MarcusH said:

We have St Augustine. It's too hot and too dry for St Augustine here in San Antonio also crab grass loves that type of grass. I wish we would have something different more drought resistant.  Will be better off growing in areas with more rain like Houston.  

Still the best grass for San Antonio when overall hardiness and aesthetics are considered. Of course you have to irrigate, feed, and mow properly... nobody said beautiful lawns are low upkeep or environmentally friendly. Welcome to USA 😂

[_nevi]

5 hours ago, Xenon said:

99.9% it was citrange, the most common citrus rootstock here. It's a hybrid of trifoliate and navel orange. May also be Swingle citrumelo, a trifoliate and grapefruit hybrid. They all taste nasty! Most all grafted citrus died, even the 25 year old satsumas etc - freeze duration in 2021 was just too long and there was almost zero hardening/dormancy due to the 80 degree days/60 degree nights preceding the deep freeze (pretty much worst case scenario). Retail citrus is flying off the shelves though so it seems people are replanting. 

There are new queens everywhere, never a shortage of them at the big box or HGC  . 

Yep, NOLA still looks great. Lots of queen palms. NOLA did hit around 20F several times in the past 10-15 years so no zone 10 holdovers from the 2000s. Bayfront Houston suburbs and Galveston managed till 2021...I think Grand Isle might still be slipping by? 

 

I saw from other threads on this forum that some of those GFS runs for Feb 2021 were actually spitting out hardcore single-digits, even subzero (!!!) down to central Houston/south of I-10 (and similar for San Antonio). Hence, as bad as the freeze was, Houston area, for the most part, was "lucky" to bottom out "only in the teens" — makes all the difference between clear percentages still surviving, versus complete annihilation of EVERYTHING (even native live oaks would start having problems had the sub-zeros verified).

I think part of it was high-cloud cover — Del Rio, for instance, actually did not get as cold as Houston during that Monday night/Tuesday morning period as clouds streamed in over from Mexico (but, they ended up dropping down to 11°F later that week since they got hit with a second winter storm, which Houston area dodged). 

Interestingly, Hooks Airport (northwesterly portion inside 99, just southwest of Tomball) was actually slightly milder than Bush Airport (more southerly location just outside BW8) during the event's ultimate low.

As for Louisiana, NOLA is obviously the best case scenario — but, I'm not the most familiar with the rest of the state as far as growing climate the past 30 yrs. I assume that areas like Lake Charles, Lfayette, New Iberia, etc wouldn't be that different from Beaumont/Port-Arthur as far as cold. New Iberia is near Avery Island (infamous "Jungle Gardens") — I wonder how that is doing.

[CTX Palm King]

@Chester BOh very cool. Welcome to Texas. I watch your videos from Oregon and was wondering what happened as I was looking forward to how your yard fared after that crazy winter this last year. Do you plan to make a video before fully moving?

I’m over in New Braunfels TX. I did not have palms planted in 2021 but I did the last 2 winters. I’ve learned a lot. So far I have the following and they mostly all survived 3 cold events as low as 16F for 3 days and a major ice storm.

1 CIDP “Died Last winter, replaced for a 2nd shot. So far its doing amazing this winter.”

2 Mexican Filifera’s. I had a small one Bite it during the summer due to fungus.

2 Large Texas Sabals, 2 Small Texas Sabals

4 Trachys

2 Mediterranean Fan’s

1 Pindo

5 Sabal Minors

5 Needle Palms

[MarcusH]

3 hours ago, Xenon said:

Still the best grass for San Antonio when overall hardiness and aesthetics are considered. Of course you have to irrigate, feed, and mow properly... nobody said beautiful lawns are low upkeep or environmentally friendly. Welcome to USA 😂

Lol . I do like the looks of St Augustine grass but in our dry hot climate it needs a lot of water.  The problem we have in our area that crab grass is really a pain in the butt and hard to get rid of unless you keep pulling it out . Special thanks to our neighbors that let that weed grow 

[strongbad635]

My favorite Houston palms from the pre-2021 era were this gorgeous row of Ribbon Palms (Livistona decipiens) located just south of Richmond Ave and just west of Chimney Rock, south of Uptown.  Would love to see these beauties being tried around town again! 

 

[Chester B]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:53 PM, Xenon said:

New space needs some 50% off queens and Washies from Houston Garden Center for instant gratification lol 

I have some littoralis and silver queens that I'm bringing, but probably will pick up some regular queens for instant gratification.  Big box have them in for next to nothing and Houston Garden Centers have 10 footers at 50% off right now.  Probably break down and get some Washies too.

 

On 12/20/2023 at 8:55 AM, _nevi said:

I know that there are options, but it really does feel like you are just stuck with palmettos and mexicanas in terms of zone 8 temps.

There are quite few other Sabal species that will do well, but it is true many Sabals are hard to tell apart.  The only one that really stands out from the rest is uresana, which are currently in stock at John Fairey Gardens and are a must have for me.

 

23 hours ago, Allen said:

Well congrats!  Change that profile zone.  Looking forward to plantings!

Thanks Allen.  I have three weeks to go, so I'm gonna wait.  

 

15 hours ago, CTX Palm King said:

@Chester BOh very cool. Welcome to Texas. I watch your videos from Oregon and was wondering what happened as I was looking forward to how your yard fared after that crazy winter this last year. Do you plan to make a video before fully moving?

I’m over in New Braunfels TX. I did not have palms planted in 2021 but I did the last 2 winters. I’ve learned a lot. So far I have the following and they mostly all survived 3 cold events as low as 16F for 3 days and a major ice storm.

1 CIDP “Died Last winter, replaced for a 2nd shot. So far its doing amazing this winter.”

2 Mexican Filifera’s. I had a small one Bite it during the summer due to fungus.

2 Large Texas Sabals, 2 Small Texas Sabals

4 Trachys

2 Mediterranean Fan’s

1 Pindo

5 Sabal Minors

5 Needle Palms

Ah very cool.  Yes I've been busy putting this move together, it takes a lot to move cross country.  I've already done it once so at least I have some experience.  

Definitely not the best time for you to start a palm garden, hopefully no more real cold events in the future.  Bigger palms tend to be hardier so once yours get some size, that can make all the difference.

[Xenon]

18 minutes ago, strongbad635 said:

My favorite Houston palms from the pre-2021 era were this gorgeous row of Ribbon Palms (Livistona decipiens) located just south of Richmond Ave and just west of Chimney Rock, south of Uptown.  Would love to see these beauties being tried around town again! 

 

 

Very nice! I think those are actually Livistona nitida. 

I miss the dozens of Livistona decora mixed in with the Washies on my commute to UH 😐. I have some seeds sprouting right now, hoping to share in a few months 

MAKE HOUSTON PALMY AGAIN ~ 

[Chester B]

Livistona nitida and Livistona australis seem to be hardy here in Oregon, so these are ones I will try and get ahold of to plant at my new place.

I do have a Livistona rigida x decora that was given to me and will make the trip.

[Fusca]

On 12/19/2023 at 6:31 PM, Chester B said:

I was told St Augustine grass. Not sure if that’s good or bad. 

Definitely plenty of pluses and minuses with St. Augustine.  Looks nice, grows fast and spreads well if kept irrigated in summer.  Prone to fungus issues and damage from grubs and not drought tolerant.  It will crawl onto your sidewalk/driveway and try to take root in concrete but it won't crawl onto bare spots where you want it to!  😅  You'll probably want an edger or else go through rolls of trimmer line trying to keep it in check.  And you'll need to continually pull it up from around your young palms.

[MarcusH]

On 12/21/2023 at 11:10 AM, Chester B said:

I have some littoralis and silver queens that I'm bringing, but probably will pick up some regular queens for instant gratification.  Big box have them in for next to nothing and Houston Garden Centers have 10 footers at 50% off right now.  Probably break down and get some Washies too.

 

There are quite few other Sabal species that will do well, but it is true many Sabals are hard to tell apart.  The only one that really stands out from the rest is uresana, which are currently in stock at John Fairey Gardens and are a must have for me.

 

Thanks Allen.  I have three weeks to go, so I'm gonna wait.  

 

Ah very cool.  Yes I've been busy putting this move together, it takes a lot to move cross country.  I've already done it once so at least I have some experience.  

Definitely not the best time for you to start a palm garden, hopefully no more real cold events in the future.  Bigger palms tend to be hardier so once yours get some size, that can make all the difference.

Queen palms are nice but unless you live in Texas zone 10a/b they are borrowed on time.  Almost all ,except in RGV , Queen palms were killed in 2021 and some earlier in the 2010s . They're cheap and fast growing I have two in my yard for experimental reasons not that I was thinking to keep them forever.  One of mine I planted in 2022 defoliated completely.  The recovery process is very slow . So whenever you get temps in the mid to low 20s which isn't that uncommon in North Houston your Queens can look pretty ugly for a awhile.  This palm is not hardy in Houston.  

[MarcusH]

1 hour ago, MarcusH said:

Queen palms are nice but unless you live in Texas zone 10a/b they are borrowed on time.  Almost all ,except in RGV , Queen palms were killed in 2021 and some earlier in the 2010s . They're cheap and fast growing I have two in my yard for experimental reasons not that I was thinking to keep them forever.  One of mine I planted in 2022 defoliated completely.  The recovery process is very slow . So whenever you get temps in the mid to low 20s which isn't that uncommon in North Houston your Queens can look pretty ugly for a awhile.  This palm is not hardy in Houston.  

On borrowed time I mean .  Correction 

[Xenon]

1 hour ago, MarcusH said:

Queen palms are nice but unless you live in Texas zone 10a/b they are borrowed on time.  Almost all ,except in RGV , Queen palms were killed in 2021 and some earlier in the 2010s . They're cheap and fast growing I have two in my yard for experimental reasons not that I was thinking to keep them forever.  One of mine I planted in 2022 defoliated completely.  The recovery process is very slow . So whenever you get temps in the mid to low 20s which isn't that uncommon in North Houston your Queens can look pretty ugly for a awhile.  This palm is not hardy in Houston.  

We get it Marcus, stop raining on our Houston palm parade! It is hardy in Houston, huge 20 year old queen palms in his area. Everything is on borrowed time unless you get something zone 7 hardy 😆. Full recovery from defoliation in just a year, they thrive (must be the rainfall and clay/gumbo soil) in much of Houston other than the odd freeze every few decades. This part of "north" Houston is still warmer than just about anywhere in San Antonio. Queen palms don't brown until 22-23F and aren't completely brown until around 20F, this area can easily go a decade without seeing that temp. 

Yes I'm pro-queen palms lol 

random streetview queens in the area

Edited December 22, 2023 by Xenon

[Chester B]

I'm not too concerned about the queens making it.  The risk is low and really I'm planting these because they are cheap and fast growing.   Will they last years and years?  - Most likely

The idea which I employ with any new garden area is to bring in fast growing items to help look the garden filled out in its earlier years.  Examples include Queen palms, Bananas, Cannas, etc.  In conjunction with these faster plants I will be planting the much slower and hardier palms like Braheas, Sabals, Mules, Trachycarpus, etc, and other slower growing BLE's which will ultimately be the real backbone of the garden.  In time if weather doesn't take out the queens I may.  

Losing palms and other plants is just part of having a garden.  I've killed many things over the years and I won't be upset if a $20 queen dies, I could easily spend that much on an annual plant.  Palms are only one aspect of my garden, I go for the overall aesthetic, so I have plenty to keep the garden interesting in the event of a plant death.

Btw @Xenon  I bought in Summerwood which borders Alexander Deussen park and Eisenhower park.  House is 750 feet from the water.  I figure if I have Alligators in my neighborhood I should be able to grow palms.

[Fusca]

44 minutes ago, Xenon said:

We get it Marcus, stop raining on our Houston palm parade! It is hardy in Houston, huge 20 year old queen palms in his area. Everything is on borrowed time unless you get something zone 7 hardy 😆.

Exactly!    My sister has lived in Kingwood/Atascocita since 1995 and I've never witnessed mass destruction of queen palms until February 2021 including 2010.  There were always some survivors in some areas.  There were huge queens in Austin and even Giddings before 2018.

[Xenon]

3 minutes ago, Fusca said:

Exactly!    My sister has lived in Kingwood/Atascocita since 1995 and I've never witnessed mass destruction of queen palms until February 2021 including 2010.  There were always some survivors in some areas.  There were huge queens in Austin and even Giddings before 2018.

2010 actually wasn't that bad, 2011 and 2018 were worse. 2010 was only significant becuase it ended a 13 year warm streak, it was the first sub-25F freeze since 1996 for much of Houston. Parts of urban Houston hadn't even seen below 28F since 1996 and parts of the bay/coast hadn't seen below 30F. So yes, it can be mild for long stretches of time! 

[Xenon]

12 minutes ago, Chester B said:

I'm not too concerned about the queens making it.  The risk is low and really I'm planting these because they are cheap and fast growing.   Will they last years and years?  - Most likely

The idea which I employ with any new garden area is to bring in fast growing items to help look the garden filled out in its earlier years.  Examples include Queen palms, Bananas, Cannas, etc.  In conjunction with these faster plants I will be planting the much slower and hardier palms like Braheas, Sabals, Mules, Trachycarpus, etc, and other slower growing BLE's which will ultimately be the real backbone of the garden.  In time if weather doesn't take out the queens I may.  

Losing palms and other plants is just part of having a garden.  I've killed many things over the years and I won't be upset if a $20 queen dies, I could easily spend that much on an annual plant.  Palms are only one aspect of my garden, I go for the overall aesthetic, so I have plenty to keep the garden interesting in the event of a plant death.

Btw @Xenon  I bought in Summerwood which borders Alexander Deussen park and Eisenhower park.  House is 750 feet from the water.  I figure if I have Alligators in my neighborhood I should be able to grow palms.

Are you looking to add Bismarckia, Copernicia alba, and most of the Livistona (L. chinensis is actually bulletproof)? Maybe some actual zone pushes as well?...Archontophoenix, Roystonea, foxtail palm, Euterpe edulis, maybe some Newcal palms 😛

[Fusca]

16 minutes ago, Chester B said:

Btw @Xenon  I bought in Summerwood which borders Alexander Deussen park and Eisenhower park.  House is 750 feet from the water.  I figure if I have Alligators in my neighborhood I should be able to grow palms.

Nice, you're not but a few miles south of my sister.  She teaches clarinet/oboe lessons at Summerwood (elementary or middle).

[Chester B]

4 minutes ago, Xenon said:

Are you looking to add Bismarckia, Copernicia alba, and most of the Livistona (L. chinensis is actually bulletproof)? Maybe some actual zone pushes as well?...Archontophoenix, Roystonea, foxtail palm, Euterpe edulis, maybe some Newcal palms 😛

I can't not have a Bismarckia!  This will be the one I protect if needed.

I found some nice C. alba at Natius nursery for $196 so definitely will add that one based on other people's recommendations.

Livistona species - check!  In my house hunting adventures I did see a fair amount of trunking L chinensis including two big ones at Natius.

Yeah I may get brave and attempt some others.  I need to get an understanding of the property, in regards to where the sun is throughout the day/year, differences in soil composition around the yard,  what areas are drier/wetter and any of the microclimates.  It's going to take 2-3 years to get a good feel for what I'm dealing with.  My current property I know every inch of it, after 8 years.   I also would think some of those palms might benefit from some mature plants around them for shelter.  Currently the yard is pretty barren aside from some Crepe myrtles along the fence and one Live Oak in a corner.

So much to learn going forward.  Stopping in at a couple of nurseries and I saw so many new to me plants, but the good thing is there is a decent overlap with what I can grow here and what works in Houston.

11 minutes ago, Fusca said:

Nice, you're not but a few miles south of my sister.  She teaches clarinet/oboe lessons at Summerwood (elementary or middle).

Ah very cool.

[Chester B]

Copernicia alba at Natius Nursery - They were labelled Copernicia and I asked and he said "alba" but they look very Bismarckia-like in this photo.  No presence of spines so maybe mislabelled.

Bismarckia nobilis at Palm Professionals

and a few of the local native Sabal minors. These are about 7’ tall so a larger variety. 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Chester B

[thyerr01]

Agree on Bismarckia in the first photo.

How much were those large Bismarckia (at either place) if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MarcusH]

Omg everyone gets easily butt hurt when you just tell they aren't hardy.  I say it in a funny way not to upset everyone.  From my experience with dead palms they look ugly and Texas has a lot of sympathy for dead palms as I see them in San Antonio and each time I go to Houston that's my observations since 2021. The state isn't the prettiest one and dead palms here and there doesn't really make it better.  I was just thinking ahead when a palm gets tall where you need to hire someone to remove it and that comes with a price tag but when money isn't a concern go for it.  By the way even when San Antonio is a "few degrees colder " in winters we actually had 20 plus year Queens too according to some other users but this shouldn't be a competition because I'm too old for that lol. 

 

 

[CTX Palm King]

@MarcusH To your point thats why I did my research and planted Palms that were rated a Zone or two cooler from a hardiness perspective. The only palm I need to ensure makes it a few years is the CIDP as it is still an infant LOL. But tons of dead palms does look trashy.

Edited December 22, 2023 by CTX Palm King

[Xenon]

11 minutes ago, MarcusH said:

Omg everyone gets easily butt hurt when you just tell they aren't hardy.  I say it in a funny way not to upset everyone.  From my experience with dead palms they look ugly and Texas has a lot of sympathy for dead palms as I see them in San Antonio and each time I go to Houston that's my observations since 2021. The state isn't the prettiest one and dead palms here and there doesn't really make it better.  I was just thinking ahead when a palm gets tall where you need to hire someone to remove it and that comes with a price tag but when money isn't a concern go for it.  By the way even when San Antonio is a "few degrees colder " in winters we actually had 20 plus year Queens too according to some other users but this shouldn't be a competition because I'm too old for that lol. 

 

 

Just teasing all the same amigo, but do you really need to be all doom and gloom everytime someone mentions queen palms? 😆 Watch Mother Nature curse you with warm winters and a rapidly growing queen that won't die lol 

[Chester B]

20 minutes ago, thyerr01 said:

Agree on Bismarckia in the first photo.

How much were those large Bismarckia (at either place) if you don't mind me asking?

 

As long as you don't buy them all....

$196 at Natius

$300 at Palm Professionals - These ones were larger, but I think in the same size of pot

19 minutes ago, MarcusH said:

I was just thinking ahead when a palm gets tall where you need to hire someone to remove it and that comes with a price tag but when money isn't a concern go for it. 

Chainsaw my friend.  I have prior experience cutting down large trees, I used to live on 7 acres and grew up in the country.  I like to do things myself.    

As far as why people haven't cut down all the telephone poles, it puzzles me too.

[Xenon]

5 minutes ago, Chester B said:

As long as you don't buy them all....

$196 at Natius

$300 at Palm Professionals - These ones were larger, but I think in the same size of pot

Oh that's ridiculous, many Houston Lowes sell Bismarckia near that size for like 1/3 of the price 

*edit, oops that must be pre inflation price LOL, they were for $60-70 as recently as 2021 

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Xenon

[thyerr01]

@Xenon I keep seeing pics/mentions of Bismarckia at the big box hardware stores, but I have never seen them in Houston. Are there particular locations which often have them or just better palm selections in general? I'd gladly pick some up in that price range.

[Xenon]

On 5/11/2023 at 3:59 PM, Xenon said:

Fresh shipment of bizzies, much more $$$ than before 😭
 

$149

$249

Chamaedorea seifrizii $84

4 minutes ago, thyerr01 said:

@Xenon I keep seeing pics/mentions of Bismarckia at the big box hardware stores, but I have never seen them in Houston. Are there particular locations which often have them or just better palm selections in general? I'd gladly pick some up in that price range.

Historically, Webster/Clear Lake has them every season. My nearest location on Fry/I-10 had them for most of the summer, somebody must have grabbed them recently. 

[MarcusH]

25 minutes ago, Xenon said:

Just teasing all the same amigo, but do you really need to be all doom and gloom everytime someone mentions queen palms? 😆 Watch Mother Nature curse you with warm winters and a rapidly growing queen that won't die lol 

Lol I'm German buddy . We're very critical people I know it's not always a good thing.  I do have two Queens and I'll enjoy them as long as possible but the one in front I'm going to dig out and plant it in the back . Will replace it by a mule. The frond yard is facing northeast