Cold Hardy Tropicals » cold-hardy

Rhapidophyllum Hystrix (Needle Palm)

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:06:13 +0000

A young needle palm

About Rhapidophyllum Hystrix

Rhapidophyllum hystrix, the needle palm, is generally considered to be the most cold-hardy palm. It is a slow-growing palm with a shrub-like form, and usually does not form a large trunk. It is indigenous to the coastal southeastern United States, from Mississippi to South Carolina.

Hardiness

Conservatively, the needle palm is hardy to zone 6. It has been known to withstand temperatures as low as -20°F, but a more realistic hardiness limit is 0°F to -10°F. It is prone to foliage damage and browning during cold winter conditions, especially when combined with wind. Cold-hardiness will increase in the needle palm as it become larger and well-established.

Winter Protection

Mulch heavily. Gradually remove the mulch in spring. Site in a favorable wind-protected exposure, such as the south side of a wall or building. Needle palms are prone to fungal and bacterial crown rot under wet winter conditions. Spraying the foliage and crowns several times during the winter with a fungicide/bactericide spray will help prevent crown rot.

Growing Tips

Needle palms prefer full sun to light shade. In colder, marginal climates, full sun is better; in hot climates, light shade is preferred. Mulch plants and water regularly until well-established.

Cannas, Gingers, and Elephant Ears

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:53:42 +0000

Cannas, gingers, and elephant ears are generally hardy to zones 7-8, and should be treated as annuals in colder climates. They share the common characteristic of having a large underground rhizome or tuber. Their cold hardiness can be increased by topping them with a heavy layer of mulch in the winter. In climates where the ground freezes solid, their tubers can be dug up and stored for the winter. This allows them to be utilized for their tropical effect year after year. As an added bonus, the rhizomes will become bigger each year, creating larger, more robust plants even if dug up and replanted each new season.

Canna ‘Stuttgart’

Tropical-Looking Shrubs and Other Plants

admin — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:51:17 +0000

These tropical-looking plants don’t quite fit into the other categories – small, tropical-looking deciduous shrubs, hardy citrus, eucalyptus, and yuccas. They work well with evergreen trees and shrubs, and deciduous trees to create a permanent framework for your tropical garden.

Dediduous Shrubs, Yuccas, and More:

Buddleia davidii (Butterfly bush) : Zone 5-10
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose-of-sharon) : Zone 5-9
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf hydrangea) : Zone 6-10
Spirea x bumalda ‘Goldflame’ (Goldflame spirea) : Zone 4-8
Eucalyptus Neglecta (Omeo Gum) : Zone 7-10
Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy orange) : Zone 5-9
Yucca ‘Bright edge’ (Bright edge yucca) : Zone 4-10

Yucca ‘Bright Edge’

from Variegated Foliage Nursery