Re: Mediterranean Oregon?

I just got back from a botanical tour of the state of
North Carolina, and can report that at least there,
are several other palms that are being extensively
planted out even in USDA zones 6 and 7, but they don't
really become popular until you get into the coastal
areas of the southern part of the state, which is more
like zone 8/9.  Trachycarpus fortunei is definitely
one of the more commonly planted palms, Sabal minor is
also quite common, and Butia capitata are also common.
 These would also be equally hardy up in Seattle, and
I think Chamaerops humilis is also used there.  I
would agree with Jason, that the Trachys are often
better looking in Seattle, (at least with less
yellowing of older foliage), than here in the SF Bay
Area.  Certainly all of these palms are amongst the
hardiest to use in zones colder than USDA 8, but may
still be set back in coldest winters.  It was
certainly enlightening to see all the various things
planted in hot summer climates of North Carolina at
the JC Raulston Arboretum and Tony Avent's Plant
Delights Nursery, that can handle occasional dips into
single digit farenheight temps there, but do not
exhibit the same degree of cold hardiness here on the
west coast USA.  Intensive summer heat, a more
sustained cooling of temps to allow fall hardening
off, much dryer winters and planting for additional
drainage in winter and heavy mulching all come into
play to allow tender mediterannean and subtropicals
survival in areas outside their preferred range.  

For those contemplating a trip to the Tarheel State,
after visiting almost all of the largest botanical
gardens and Arboretums in North Carolina on this trip,
there is certainly a wealth of great plants being
grown there, in some very beautiful settings.  I was
also surprised to find alligators in the southernmost
part of the state, another potential hazard while
gardening in the coastal areas.  The various species
of Pitcher plants, Sarracena's, Venus Fly Traps, etc.
were also heavily in bloom now, while the Azaleas were
mostly finishing up.

It had been a warm enough winter this year that many
of the hardiest bananas such as Musa basjoo were still
15 feet tall and leafed out, and the Chinese Banana,
Musella lasiocarpa could be seen in bloom, although
most often leafless...

--- Jason D <jjuania@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Trachycarpus fortunei is hardy all the way up into
> SW
> British Columbia without artificial heating
> elements.
> In fact, I'd say the Trachys in Seattle are prettier
> than the ones in San Francisco.
> Other hardy palm species, such as Trachycarpus
> wagnerianus, are being grown in the Pacific
> Northwest
> as well.
> Jason Dewees
> San Francisco
> 
> --- yarrow@sfo.com wrote:
> 
> > >At 07:08 PM 5/13/2006, Paul Russo wrote:
> > >>....Palm trees in Oregon? Yes, all over the
> place,
> > in Portland too.
> > 
> > I wondered about that, too. When I lived in NW
> > Portland some years 
> > ago, I was curious about a lush palm tree in front
> > of a local 
> > restaurant. I found out that it had a heating
> > element to help it 
> > survive winter.
> > 
> > Tanya Kucak
> > Palo Alto, Calif.
> > 
> > 
> 
>
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