Florida species recommendations

[Brad52]

Have a mate in Fernandina Beach not coastal so perhaps Jacksonville-like?  What would be climate friendly entry level palms for a bloke in that climate?  

[PalmatierMeg]

Sabals, including most trunking species. Also, many cultivars of Sabal minor - you can landscape a yard with minor

Serenoa repens, saw palmetto, blue and green

Butia odorata, also other Butia species

Phoenix spp (perhaps)

Washingtonia robusta or filibusta (perhaps)

 

Don't waste your money trying to grow very tropical palms like coconuts or any of the crownshafted palms. Your climate is too cold for them.

[NickJames]

My former home at 94288 Woodbrier Cir is off Old Nassauville with a Fernandina Beach mailing address. 

Check it out to see what survived since 2017. 
I know a young robellini perished but the queens and Washingtonia should be doing well. The Washingtonia were freaking crazy last time someone sent me a photo. They were unlike any other I’ve ever seen. 

[Brad52]

Thanks for the suggestions, I remember I had a B Clara that did well in a similar winter spot and I’ll add that to his list.

[Brandon39.5]

I would play it safe, but if you looking for something to look exotic, I think that your best palm for there is the Livistona chinensis, also look up Archontophoenix cunninghamiana but kinda risky. If you can manage to get a butiagrus over there, it would also be a safe option and an exotic looking palm.

[SeanK]

Agree with @PalmatierMeg on this one. Safe are all the NoFla natives plus a couple PHX. If he's willing to protect, choose something small that can be easily covered on cold nights. Keep these in the back yard so protection isn't visible from the road.

I have seen C.alba in St.Augustine, but I can't say how much the minimum temps differ.

 

[Merlyn]

Mules (Butia x Syagrus) should be easy to find and reasonably priced.  Washies, Mules and Queens are all susceptible to Fusarium, which does kill quite a few of them around here.  Mules are somewhat resistant, but are a smaller risk.  I'd avoid Phoenix species here due to Lethal Bronzing. 

Livistona (Chinensis, Decora/Decipiens, Nitida) are all pretty reliable.  Arenga Engleri (Dwarf Sugar Palm) is very hardy and an easy grow.  Silver Bismarckia should do ok there.  Butia/Pindo are great, as are any sabals.  Beccariophoenix Alfredii is a solid 9B palm.  Rhapis Excelsa (Lady palm) is a hardy part shade palm.  Allagoptera Arenaria is super hardy and makes a great smaller shrubbery type.  These are obviously all different sizes, depending on if they want a big or small one.  

I wouldn't zone push with zone 10-ish stuff like Archontophoenix, Bottle/Spindle, or anything that isn't reliably hardy around 25F.  "Entry level" palm people won't want to baby or protect a palm, nor will they want it to look like crap for 3 or 4 months after a December freeze.

[ZPalms]

I think Acoelorrhaphe wrightii might be an option... I think, good clumping palm, requires maintenance though

Edited February 19, 2024 by ZPalms

[Brad52]

Yeah I think nothing huge, no zone pushing for a starter palm and there’s some great candidates here, thanks all!

[Merlyn]

I think Acoelorrhaphe wrightii would do great too, and not too big.  I was just too tired to try and spell it last night.  Fortunately @ZPalms did it for me. 

[Scott W]

I'm just down the road from him in Jacksonville, have smaller mules, pindos, Beccariophoenix alfredii and maybe a couple Chamaedorea available.  Cycads too!  All do well here NE Florida...as others have said....don't try to zone push unless you're willing to deal with protecting them.

[VA Jeff]

Most yards in Fernandina are small.  I would plant things that made an impact, since there isn't much room to plant many things usually.

I think people gave a lot of good suggestions.  If I had a place there, I would grow king palms and protect them during the occasional freeze.  But growing native palms can get boring when you see them everywhere you go.

[Brad52]

I won't even grow Kings out here, too big for me!

[Brian M]

Have him go to Liberty on SR200. I havent been to that specific one but the one on Jacksonville is great. They are very knowledgeable and helpful and their prices are unbeatable for the quality of tree. When I was looking for my ribbon palms @NickJames recommend me check them out and they were the only nursery around that had field grown in stock. They were also able to source my keys thatch palm from one of their suppliers when everyone else just said no we don't get those up here.

Just go there and tell them what you're needs or wants are in the palm and they'll definitely be able to show you what the best ones are for your needs.