Trachycarpus, Sabal, Butia, Cycas, Dioon, and many more
We are continually on the hunt for new cold hardy palms and hardy cycads. When we find an individual clone of hardy palm tree growing in a particularly cold climate, we do what all good plant nurseries do, we propagate it for our plant catalog! There is no reason why gardeners in Tennessee or Virginia cannot have a cold hardy palm tree in their landscape just like a Floridian. The hardiest palm trees belong to the genus Sabal (palmetto) and Trachycarpus (windmill palm). It also turns out that many Sago Palms (aka cycads) including Ceratozamia, Cycas, Dioon, Encephalartos, Macrozamia, and Zamia also have an amazing degree of winter hardiness. Add some tropicality to your temperate garden today with a hardy palm like sabal, trachycarpus, or hardy cycad from our online plant shop! Try pairing hardy palms with other tropical looking plants like colocasia, musa, zingiber and hedychium. When you’re ready to try some cold hardy palm trees or buy cycads for your temperate garden, we hope you’ll check out our offerings below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Chamaedorea 'Douglas Delight' is a rare cross of two cold hardy Mexican species of chamaedorea palm, Chamaedorea radicalis and Chamaedorea oreophila, created by its namesake, California's Dick Douglas. In appearance, Chamaedorea 'Douglas Delight' resembles true non-trunking Chamaedorea radicalis to 6' tall (slightly taller in tropical climates). Unlike Chamaedorea radicalis, however, the hybrid produces inflorescences that project above the foliage; male spikes occur in clusters with several at the same node, along with pendent seed clusters. Chamaedorea 'Douglas Delight' has been reliably winter hardy in plantsman, Scott Ogden's Austin, TX garden, where it was only slightly damaged when the temperature dropped to 17 degrees F and didn't rise above freezing for 36 hours. We thank Scott for sharing seed. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
The deer resistant Mediterranean fan palm, Chamaerops humilis has been hardy here in our garden through several winters at 0 degrees F. While the foliage is usually burned off at anything less than 10 degrees F, Chamaerops humilis never fails to resprout, even without any winter protection. Our Mediterranean fan palms have not exceeded 5' high, but size will increase dramatically the farther south it is planted. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Chamaerops humilis 'Vulcano' is a new compact form of the European fan palm that's taking Europe by storm. Chamaerops humilis 'Vulcano' was discovered as a nursery variant in Sicily by Vivaivulcano - Ardichetto Nursery and subsequently named for the nearby island, Vulcano. Chamaerops 'Vulcano' appears to be a tetraploid form of European fan palm, having the characteristic shorter stiff foliage, slow growth and compactness associated with that tetraploidy (doubling of the chromosome number). This marvelous hardy palm seems to come somewhat true from seed, but keep in mind that each plant will be slightly different. The originators tell us that it takes 3 years to know for sure if the plant is true Chamaerops 'Vulcano'. Mature plants of Chamaerops 'Vulcano' are truly a thing of architectural beauty. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This rare cycad hails from China's southern Sichuan and northern Yunnan provinces, where it was discovered and named in 1979. Its natural habitat consists of dry, scrubby, wooded slopes where it grows in alkaline soils. Its location makes it one of the most cold hardy cycad species. In our trials so far, we have seen no leaf damage at 15 degrees F. When mature, the plant will develop a 6' tall trunk, topped with a ring of stiff "fronds", which emerge green when young but later change to glaucous. Despite reports of very rapid growth, I've seen dead snails move faster than these grow. Supplies are very limited. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
In 2008, we were fortunate to visit the rocky, exposed hillsides in the Taitung Prefecture of southeastern Taiwan where this cycad calls home. Cycas taitungensis is similar in appearance to the popular house plant, Cycas revoluta. In 7-9 years (temperate climates), Cycas taitungensis forms a large rosette of stunning 5' long, dark green, plastic-like fronds circling the leg-sized trunk which can eventually reach 10' tall. While the foliage will burn back at 20 degrees F, all of our plants resprouted during their annual late spring flush, from 7 degrees F in 2009. We recommend you establish these early in the season and mulch well until you have a robust trunk. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This man-made hybrid between the mainland Chinese Cycas guizhouensis and the Taiwanese Cycas taitungensis was created by Florida cycad guru, Robert Chumley. This has proven to be a very vigorous grower, which has so far endured only one winter outdoors for us, including many nights at 16 degrees F. While both parents are similar in appearance, the vigor of the hybrid is truly amazing. We're guessing that this will make a 3' tall x 5' wide specimen in 10 years...but then again, that's a guess. Stock is very limited, so don't dilly dally...at least not until after you've ordered. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This offering represents seed-propagated plants of Dioon edule var. edule from populations in Jacala, Mexico that occur around 4,500' elevation. The glossy, bright green fronds can eventually reach 10' in length, so plant to allow enough room. Dioon edule has been great so far in our garden winter hardiness trials. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
We have been so thrilled at our success with Dioon edule that we want more folks to try it. This offering represents seed-propagated plants of the variety Dioon edule var. angustifolium from southern Tamaulipas, Mexico. The stiff glaucous-green leaves resemble an old sun-baked vinyl chair after rigor mortis sets in. The fronds typically reach 3-4' in length and often emerge an attractive reddish-bronze. We recommend at least 4-6 hours of sun and well-drained soils for best growth. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We saw the Cretan native, Phoenix theophrasti during our 2010 expedition to Crete...at the airport. With rumors of potential winter hardiness, we thought we'd give this a shot and since they came up so well from seed, we have some extras to share. Reportedly, the grey-green leaf Phoenix theophrasti is one of the hardiest of the feather palms....we'll find out together. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
The hardiest of palms, Rhapidophyllum hystrix is a slow-growing Southeast US (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina) native that has withstood -9 degrees F here with NO damage (without protection or special siting). We expect established specimens should handle -20 degrees F. This short-trunked, clump-forming, hardy palm has typical cut-leaf, green palm foliage and sharp "needles" at the base to protect the seeds...very rare! In marginal climates, it's best to plant needle palms early in the season and protect them the first couple of winters until they become well-established. In colder climates, we recommend up-potting young plants and keeping them indoors until they are larger. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
These extraordinary Sabal minors originated from coastal NC near Emerald Isle, where they were rescued from a construction site by NC palm enthusiast Alan Brunner. They were subsequently planted in many of the Raleigh area city parks. Sabal minor 'Emerald Island Giant' is radically different in growth habit and size than most other forms. Although these Sabal minors are much slower-growing, producing only one to two leaves per year, they will eventually reach 7' tall x 10' wide with huge 5' or wider leaves. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Sabal louisiana) This unusual Gulf Coast native is found only in a few swampy areas of Louisiana and east Texas, where it grows among typical Sabal minor. Taxonomists often dismiss it as a variant of Sabal minor, but the 6' tall trunk seems to say otherwise. If you don't agree, perhaps you'll change your mind after a few whacks with those aforementioned 6' tall trunks. Perhaps we are seeing speciation in progress or perhaps a relictual natural hybrid as in Sabal x brazoriensis. Sabal minor var. louisiana will reach 12' tall when mature and resembles Sabal palmetto in form, although it's a good bit more winter hardy. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Sabal x brazoriensis is a rare palm from Brazoria County, Texas, has been identified by DNA in 2011 as an ancient hybrid between Sabal palmetto (above ground trunk) and Sabal minor (below ground trunk). Sabal 'Brazoria' is the hardiest of the trunked sabal palms, and should reach 20' tall with maturity. We have reports from Arkansas that these have sailed through a -15F winter. The giant, green, fan-shaped leaves are typical sabal foliage, but the growth rate in our trials has been twice that of Sabal minor. Our offerings are two to three-year-old seedlings. Because of the confusion with the name, Sabal x texensis, which is an old name for the less hardy Sabal mexicana, a new name of Sabal x brazoriensis was published for this plant in 2011. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 7-18-2013 You are absolutely not going to believe this, but here goes. Palm nut Kiril Donov noticed these 40-year-old windmill palm trees growing in Plavdiv, Bulgaria...that's right, the one near Romania. According to Donov, these trees regularly see very cold temperatures including a record -17 degrees F in 1993...see www.polarpalm.net. After growing these to a larger size, we are fairly confident they represent hybrids between a very hardy Trachycarpus fortunei and Trachycarpus fortunei 'Wagnerianus'. Please keep in mind that each plant is either male or female...no way to tell until they mature so grow several to get seed. Although they will take a bit of shade, the growth rate is much faster in full sun. We are thrilled to be able offer this windmill palm again. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Always on the lookout for hardy palm selections, I sighted two magnificent 30' specimens of very hardy windmill palms on Ridgeway Drive in Charlotte NC in the late 1970s. We are thrilled to make available seedlings of this particularly winter hardy strain that we named Trachycarpus fortunei 'Charlotte' for the first time since 2000. All Trachycarpus fortunei will tolerate some shade, but their growth rate will slow dramatically. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Everything we know about Trachycarpus takil in cultivation has been wrong, as palm experts discovered in 2009. Instead of growing the real species, we all had a form of Trachycarpus fortunei from Nanital, India (just northwest of Nepal). Trachycarpus fortunei 'Nanital' has more finely divided leaves than most typical Trachycarpus fortunei, along with a trunk that has a slight lean...a la the Tower of Pisa. Anything written about Trachycarpus takil in cultivation before 2010 refers to Trachycarpus 'Nanital'. As of 2010, seed of the true Trachycarpus takil is just becoming available. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Trachycarpus takil has been a true life mystery plant following a series of seed collecting expeditions to its home at 7,000' elevation in remote Northern India over the past few decades, most of which wound up at a population of Trachycarpus fortunei, now known as the cultivar, Trachycarpus 'Nanital'. Finally, seed collectors made their way back to the real Trachycarpus takil, and we are thrilled to finally make it available. Our original plant of Trachycarpus takil in the garden (1 of 2 known to exist east of the Mississippi), was planted in 1994 and is now 11' tall including 6' of trunk. It has endured a winter low of -1 degree F (-18C) in 1996. The main difference between Trachycarpus takil and Trachycarpus fortunei is that Trachycarpus takil has no long brown "chest" hair at the crown, and has dramatically more leaf segments than Trachycarpus fortunei. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Global warming a problem in your area? Grow palms! The seed from this cold-hardy form of the Southwest US native, Washingtonia filifera, is from a planting in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where it has reportedly endured 0 degrees F on several occasions. The cold in NM is obviously a dry cold, and East Coast cold is much more wet, but the potential for experimental gardeners is exciting. Mature plants reach 60' tall with 8' wide fronds, but concentrate on trying to keep it alive here. Plants seem to gain hardiness as they age, so grow it indoors in a container when young and add lots of winter protection in colder zones when it goes outside. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Butiagrus) We are thrilled to offer the rare palm hybrid between Butia capitata and Syagrus romanzoffiana. Although the hybrid xButyagrus nabonnandii can be found naturally in the wild, our plants are from cultivated hand crosses. The palm is named for French horticulturist Paul Nabonnand (1860-1937), who first coaxed the palms to mate. The mule palm hybrid shows amazing vigor comparable to syagrus, and will eventually reach 18' in height. Palm growers who have tried these report surprisingly good winter hardiness, often similar to the butia parent. We are trying this for the first time so we don't have any first hand experience. Reportedly, seed produced by the hybrid is sterile unless able to backcross to one of the parents. We recommend growing our mule palms to a larger size before trying them in the ground. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
.jpg "Cycas taitungensis (Tongue Tied Sago Palm)")
.jpg "Sabal minor var. louisiana (Louisiana Palmetto Palm)")
.jpg "xButyagrus nabonnandii (Mule Palm)")