Suggestions for microclimates

[COpalms]

I live in zone 6a, so I should take advantage of microclimates but I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations to help.  I wondered if planting a palm on the west side of a house close to a fence would do well. It also faces the south but its primarily the west. Its also protected by a neighbor's house from winds and cold drafts (seeing as most cold drafts come from the west). I also am wondering if planting on the east side would be fine too. It would be facing my house and pretty close to another person's house. It would also be protected from snow because there is a tree that catches pretty much all of the snow that falls. it is somewhat facing the south aswell but not as much. Any tips or suggestions? I know It depends on the palm tree too.

[jwitt]

My suggestion is to watch your yard this fall, winter and early spring. 

This fall, look for places in the yard that seem delayed or hold out longer for that first freeze.  Are there places where the grass stays green, weeds hold on, plants persist. 

This winter, note where snow melts first, accumulates less due to melting, etc... Especially note which direction your coldest nights wind comes from. 

Spring, what areas green up first., etc...

All these pointers or findings will lead to your better placements of marginal plantings. 

I cannot tell you if you east side or westside would be better.  Tree canopy can be good and also bad(lack of sun/warmth). In your climate, sun, mass, and wind protection will be beneficial. 

It takes time. 

That is my quick suggestion. Others probably have even more intuitive suggestions.

For my yard, a plant tucked up against the foundation facing south, slightly east is the most mild.  Then the east side, followed by the west, and the north is the coldest. Mostly all due to the sun.  Further away from the house, becomes less mild.  I use larger rocks for more mass to "make" microclimates somewhat and extend the growing season away from the house.  Literal years of observation, trial, and error in my yard.  

Imagine planting nothing but tomatoes and daffodils throughout your entire property. Where there daffodils first come up and tomatoes last freeze in the fall may point to your microclimates.  Then you have to factor in palm lethal temperature and also the leaf lethal temperature. 

You may find planting up against the foundation bumps you up 5 degrees, and now that spot is a 6b, with a bit more options. Maybe covering that same spot 3 nights a year bumps you another 5 degrees, now you got a 7a,  

My take.