QuestionQUESTION: We are in the hunt for the best Palm tree for our are in Largo, Floria. Any suggestions? We are considering the Foxtail Palm currently.
ANSWER: Hi Kevin, where is Largo? I am in a zone 9b Port Charlotte) and this Winter we got a real bad week of cold that dipped into the high 20's; many of the Palms here were lost because of it, mainly the more sensitive like Coconuts and Christmas Palms. The Foxtail is a good choice, for it is a little more resistant then the previous two but not as resistant as the more popular Queen. If you are in a zone 9 or higher and are willing to take the proper measures to protect it this coming Winter, then it is an excellent choice, for it sheds its own fronds (unlike a Queen) and doesn't require any pruning at all, except to snip off the occasional seed pod. Now there are many others to choose from, but in Florida, the Foxtail seems to be the trendy way to go now...and I give it an 8 out of 10 , taking everything into consideration. Nick
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QUESTION: Thanks very much for the response. Largo is between Clearwater and St Pete and in the Tampa region. We like the way the Foxtail looks and how it would fit our landscape so I am glad to hear you consider it a good choice. We had the same cold weather as you in Port Charlotte.
Answer...Just keep in mind that newly planted Palms are more susceptible to cold then established ones, so the sooner you put them in the better; This Winter, when frost or freezing temperatures threaten, set up a protective measure, such as frost fabric or flood lamps, anything to protect and help it survive its first bout with cold. Nick
