Diminutive palms

[Keys6505]

Since I'm running out of space for full-sized trees in my yard my interest has been slowly turning to smaller species that I can use to fill in the gaps.  There's the obvious S. Minors, chamaedorea, etc but I'm hoping someone could recommend some more obscure small palms that may be z9 hardy, even if it's a slight zone push.  I just ordered seeds for Phoenix Acaulis which fits the undersized bill, but can't find much info online regarding proven hardiness.  I have been searching for Brahea Decumbens but the only one I can find for sale is at Jungle Music and it's $145 for a 3gal.  I'm hoping I can find one a little cheaper as I don't know for sure if they'll like the humidity here.  I reached out to John Fairey Gardens to see if they have any Brahea Moorei left for sale but haven't heard back.  I know there are some short rhapis out there.  I have been told that once a full sized rhapis freezes down it stays dwarf but I'm not sure if that has any kind of truth to it.  Any others im missing?

[PalmatierMeg]

Chamaedorea microspadix

Chamaedorea radicalis

Sabal minor ‘Uber Dwarf’ cultivars: Blountstown, Wakulla, Chipola

[thyerr01]

@Keys6505 JFG said they would have some B. moorei at the Budding Out festival next month.

For small maybe Z9 hardy palms, things like Licuala fordiana and L. spinosa, Lanonia dasyantha, Chuniophoenix nana, Wallichia oblongifolia, and any of the commonly available Rhapis. More Chamaedorea is also a great option. JFG should have some larger C. radicalis next month too. I also recommend C. cataractum.

Edited February 17, 2024 by thyerr01

[Xenon]

I have Chuniophoenix nana, Chuniophoenix hainanensis, Lanonia dasyantha, Licuala fordiana, and Lytocaryum hoehnei since 2021. I've protected them for a few days each year but otherwise pretty low maintanence. I'm convinced most of them are bud hardy anyways, since the buds are at/near ground level. I had Geonoma schottiana growing well for almost a year before some nearby construction killed them, would love to try it again if I ever do another Floribunda order. 

I've been looking for a Butia catarinensis. There are some other smaller Butia and Syagrus spp too.  Allagoptera arenaria is another one that should do great for you. 

Edited February 17, 2024 by Xenon

[Fusca]

25 minutes ago, Xenon said:

I had Geonoma schottiana growing well for almost a year before some nearby construction killed them, would love to try it again if I ever do another Floribunda order. 

I'm surprised that the Geonoma didn't mind the high heat and humidity!  I had pretty much given up hope of growing any Geonoma here.  

@Keys6505, I would add any of the Trithrinax, Rhapidophyllum hydrix, Nannorrhops ritchiana as medium sized palms that take a long time to get much height but the latter two might take up more horizontal space.  Syagrus campylospatha is a good example of a cool looking mini-Syagrus that can handle a lot of cold.

[Xenon]

4 minutes ago, Fusca said:

I'm surprised that the Geonoma didn't mind the high heat and humidity!  I had pretty much given up hope of growing any Geonoma here.  

 

it's from rather low elevation in southern Brazil. others have had success in Florida. You should give it a go under moderate shade/east facing spot. 

[Keys6505]

5 hours ago, thyerr01 said:

@Keys6505 JFG said they would have some B. moorei at the Budding Out festival next month.

For small maybe Z9 hardy palms, things like Licuala fordiana and L. spinosa, Lanonia dasyantha, Chuniophoenix nana, Wallichia oblongifolia, and any of the commonly available Rhapis. More Chamaedorea is also a great option. JFG should have some larger C. radicalis next month too. I also recommend C. cataractum.

Good to know about the Moorei, thanks.

 

I have a lot of the plants you mentioned on my Floribunda order that I'm just waiting for them to ship.  There's a few of these that I just wanted that will be relegated to forever pot life, but I think many have a chance to last awhile as long as I don't slack on protection when we get these seemingly regular polar vortex freezes.  I have some L. Spinosa seedlings on the way from Charlene as well.  I have a Cataratum in-ground that's come back from 17° and 20°, so I agree with your recommendation.  This is my Floribunda order, I'm most excited about the Chuniophoenix and the L. Benthamii.

Actinokentia divaricata
Caryota mitis (variegated)
X Chamaedorea costaricana
Chamaedorea ernesti-augustii
Chamaedorea frondosa
Chamaedorea hooperiana
Chamaedorea woodsoniana
Chuniophoenix nana
Cyphophoenix Alba
Cyphophoenix elegans
Cyphophoenix nucele
Lanonia calciphila
Lanonia magalonii
Licuala Maculata
Licuala elegans
Licuala fordiana
Licuala ramsayii
Licuala peltata v. peltata
Livistona benthamii “Golden Form”
Synecanthus fibrosus

[Keys6505]

5 hours ago, Xenon said:

I have Chuniophoenix nana, Chuniophoenix hainanensis, Lanonia dasyantha, Licuala fordiana, and Lytocaryum hoehnei since 2021. I've protected them for a few days each year but otherwise pretty low maintanence. 

How are these looking after last months blast?  Just blanket and lights or did you go heavier on protection this time?

[Keys6505]

4 hours ago, Fusca said:

I would add any of the Trithrinax, Rhapidophyllum hydrix, Nannorrhops ritchiana as medium sized palms that take a long time to get much height but the latter two might take up more horizontal space

I have a needle in ground in full shade because I was told it wouldn't handle TX sun, but it's definitely not happy.  Started with 3 trunks and down to 1 now.  Not sure what I'm doing wrong.  I have a Nannorhops from TCHP that I'm finally planning to stick in the ground this year too courtesy of a new vacancy from a dead clearance queen.  The Trithrinax is high on my list but is tough to find.  If you know of anywhere that sells them please let me know!

[Xenon]

1 hour ago, Keys6505 said:

How are these looking after last months blast?  Just blanket and lights or did you go heavier on protection this time?

They look fine. I used mini lights, space blankets, fabric and plastic to cover the entire "zone push" bed. That one week in January was the only time they ever got supplemental protection this winter. 

Edited February 18, 2024 by Xenon