Most people are taken aback to learn that there
are nearly 3000 palms other than coconuts and dates, and frankly
incredulous when told that more than just a handful put up with
extreme cold, and will thrive, outside, in the ground, year round,
in all but the coldest and least hospitable areas of our continent.
With the help of even modest protection against
the worst of the winter weather, this number can certainly be increased,
and those keen enough, dedicated enough, or perhaps crazy enough
to go to more elaborate lengths have a great number of species from
which to choose. If warmth, even of only a few degrees, can be provided,
then the plant's hardiness to cold ceases to be an issue; attention
then can swing away from which species can stand the most cold,
or frost, or snow, and can focus instead on which palms will thrive
and grow well in our often less than-tropical summers. The list
is long.
However, if the idea of heating your garden fills
you with alarm, don't despair! With a little care in terms of choice
of species and a little common sense in terms of positioning, there
are several excellent and worthwhile palms to grow which need no
pampering at all.
Editorial
