Trachycarpus‘Bulgaria’ vs. Wagnerianus x ‘Nainital’

[Stevejr]

I’m growing both of these varieties outdoors in zone 7b New York with just a frost cover when needed. I would like to know which variety is the hardier one. Thank you.

[RJ]

Most folks around here don’t think Bulgaria is any hardier the standard variety.  Waggy is generally considered less hardy, no idea what nanital is so I can’t help there, sorry 

[SeanK]

28 minutes ago, RJ said:

Most folks around here don’t think Bulgaria is any hardier the standard variety.  Waggy is generally considered less hardy, no idea what nanital is so I can’t help there, sorry 

I had thought the same of Waggies, but after 5°F here 13 months ago I don't see a difference. I saw a lot of variation among fortuneis.

[Jimhardy]

7 hours ago, Stevejr said:

I’m growing both of these varieties outdoors in zone 7b New York with just a frost cover when needed. I would like to know which variety is the hardier one. Thank you.

The one that survives.

[ChicagoPalma]

42 minutes ago, Jimhardy said:

The one that survives.

He's right, but they should all do well If properly protected.

[Swolte]

Hey Steve, those are some nice varieties. Always good to mix up some genetics! With those, I am not sure which one is hardier given the multitude of factors (age, size, weather, individual genetics, soil, light etc... and their interactions) influencing the extent of the damage. In my experience, when young, I have trouble getting "Bulgaria", Waggies, and Nainitals through winters here. I guess we all need some more experience to tell them apart and declare a winner so please keep reporting your experience. Thus far it seems that meaningful differences in hardiness, if any, are small. 
:) 

[Chester B]

Nainital is the hardiest on paper.   It's a variety of fortunei from the mountains in India, and was mistakenly sold as takil for a number of years.  Now is Nainital hardier than a regular fortunei? - Probably not.

Bulgaria means nothing - Its a horrible sales gimmick that keeps getting perpetuated.  Any fortunei with slightly stiffer fronds people like to identify as bulgaria, but there is a wide variation in Trachycarpus fortunei.  Some have slightly stiffer and shorter fronds, some longer and messier.

You will read waggie are 5f less cold tolerant than fortunei.  I've never had to put them to the test, so have no experience.

I agree with others I think the cold hardiness is negligible between these three.  Siting will probably play the biggest factor in success in your location.  

[ChicagoPalma]

My trachycarpus fortunier var bulgaria is for some reason a really fast grower, my little irrigation I only turned on once a week for like 10 minutes really did nothing, but I did fertilize it really well when I planted it. 5-6 Fronds more since planting June 15th, only started growing around a month later and shot up with growth. For cold hardiness it has only seen 15F unprotected.

1 hour ago, Chester B said:

Nainital is the hardiest on paper.   It's a variety of fortunei from the mountains in India, and was mistakenly sold as takil for a number of years.  Now is Nainital hardier than a regular fortunei? - Probably not.

Bulgaria means nothing - Its a horrible sales gimmick that keeps getting perpetuated.  Any fortunei with slightly stiffer fronds people like to identify as bulgaria, but there is a wide variation in Trachycarpus fortunei.  Some have slightly stiffer and shorter fronds, some longer and messier.

You will read waggie are 5f less cold tolerant than fortunei.  I've never had to put them to the test, so have no experience.

I agree with others I think the cold hardiness is negligible between these three.  Siting will probably play the biggest factor in success in your location.  

 

Edited January 30, 2024 by ChicagoPalma

[Las Palmas Norte]

1 hour ago, Chester B said:

Nainital is the hardiest on paper.   It's a variety of fortunei from the mountains in India, and was mistakenly sold as takil for a number of years.  Now is Nainital hardier than a regular fortunei? - Probably not.

Bulgaria means nothing - Its a horrible sales gimmick that keeps getting perpetuated.  Any fortunei with slightly stiffer fronds people like to identify as bulgaria, but there is a wide variation in Trachycarpus fortunei.  Some have slightly stiffer and shorter fronds, some longer and messier.

You will read waggie are 5f less cold tolerant than fortunei.  I've never had to put them to the test, so have no experience.

I agree with others I think the cold hardiness is negligible between these three.  Siting will probably play the biggest factor in success in your location.  

^^^ Exactly ^^^ Well stated @Chester B