Our climatic region consists of coastal areas in North Carolina and Virginia. This region is in Zone 8, meaning that winter temperatures usually stay above 30 degrees and almost never fall below 16 degrees. A good variety of palms can be grown here, but many exotic varieties and Zone 8b trees will need some extra care (wrapping) during cold winters.
Please remember, if you live near a large body of water, your yard may be warmer than nearby areas. On the other hand, if your yard is in an extremely exposed location it might be colder.
This is a list of cold hardy palms that you can grow in this area. Based on our fifteen years of experience, we have found that the palms on this list will grow successfully in our area or zone.
 Yucca Rostrata |
| Size: |
> 10 feet x 3 feet |
| Flower color: |
White |
| Flower season: |
Late spring-summer |
| Exposure: |
Full sun, very light shade |
| Water: |
Low |
| Growth Rate: |
Moderate |
| Hardiness: |
-20° F |
| Pruning: |
None |
|
 Yucca Elephantipes |
| Size: |
> 10 feet x 3 feet |
| Flower color: |
White |
| Flower season: |
Late spring-summer |
| Exposure: |
Full sun, very light shade |
| Water: |
Low |
| Growth Rate: |
Moderate |
| Hardiness: |
-20° F |
| Pruning: |
None |
|
 Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllm Hystrix) |
| Size: |
> 10 feet |
| Exposure: |
Adaptable to icy cold temperatures |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow |
|
 Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei) |
| Size: |
> 25 feet |
| Foliage Color: |
Dark Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow |
| Size Availability: |
4 feet - 9 feet overall height |
| Hardiness: |
Zone 8 to 10b (10° F) |
|
 Cabbage Palm (Sabal Palmetto) |
| Size: |
> 40 feet |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow |
| Size Availability: |
4 feet - 10+ of wood |
| Hardiness: |
Zone 8 to 11 (15° F) |
|
 Jelly Palm / Pindo (Butia Capitata) |
| Size: |
> 15 feet - 20 feet |
| Foliage Color: |
Blue - Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow |
| Size Availability: |
3 feet - 17 feet overall height |
| Hardiness: |
Zone 8 to 10 (16° F) |
|
 European Fan Palm (Chamerops Humilis) |
| Size: |
> 15 feet |
| Foliage Color: |
Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow |
| Formation: |
Forms slowly expanding clumps with individual stems. |
|
 Sago Palm / King Sago (Cycas Revoluta)
|
| Size: |
> 10 feet |
| Foliage Color: |
Dark Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Slow |
| Size Availability: |
2 feet overall to 3 feet - 5 feet wood |
| Hardiness: |
Zone 8 to 11 (16° F) |
|
 Washington Palm (Washingtonia Robusta)
|
| Size: |
> 40 feet |
| Foliage Color: |
Bright Green |
| Growth Rate: |
Fast |
| Size Availability: |
12 feet overall height |
| Hardiness: |
Zone 8b to 11 (18° F to 20° F). Foliage will burn back at these temperatures. |
|
