Hardy Palms

Hardy Palms

Trees for Winter Temperate Garden Climates

By Published May 21, 2018 Updated June 21, 2022

While most people in temperate growing zones may consider Palms as exotic, there are hardy palms that can flourish in cooler zones. Some hardy palm trees can be grown in areas as low as zone 6. However, a hardy palm may perform differently in what are considered similar growing zones. If considering trying hardy palm trees, some research into the amount of sun, heat, and moisture different species need should aid in the decision making process.

The dwarf Palmetto, or Sabal minor, is a hardy palm that is native to the southeastern United States. The trunk often grows up to 5' deep underground, which aids in its hardiness. Sabal minor prefers warm summers and in the winter, mulch should be used for protection. Cold hardy palms that are larger have greater chances of over wintering than smaller ones. Treating these hardy palms as house plants for a couple of years builds up their size and makes them sturdier for future winters.

Windmill palms, or Trachycarpus, are hardy palms that perform well in mid-South summers or cooler Pacific Northwest climates. These hardy palm trees do best in clay based soils with full sun. Windmill palms need winter protection when starting in the ground, and like Sabal minor, starting these cold hardy palms indoors increases their survivability.

Welcome to Plant Delights Nursery at Juniper Level Botanic Gardens. We are a private research and display botanic garden located near Raleigh, North Carolina (USDA Hardiness Zone 7b). Our retail mail order division allows us to make the best plants from our trials available to gardeners around the world, some of which were developed here, some from our plant explorations, and others from breeders around the world. Between 1988 and 2010, Plant Delights Nursery introduced over 500 new plants to US horticulture. In 2002, we were honored to be recognized by the American Horticulture Society for our lifetime of work in commercial horticulture. This image gallery is but a sampling of the great plants available for gardeners around the world. We do not carry all plants pictured at any one time, but since our mission is to educate and inspire, we hope these images and the linked articles below will expand your garden horizons and interest. You will find an array of other interesting information and fascinating plants throughout our website...thank you for taking time to visit.

Back to articles