Palm Trees in the Front yard (Jacksonville: transplants, house, price)

[titaniummd]

How many of you Jacksonville natives (and transplants) have palm trees in the front yard?

I am planning to buy a few palm trees and wanted your opinions.

I initially thought of a 10 foot Washingtonian Palm on either side of the house and a Roballini (small triplet) in an 'alcove'.

My wife thinks it would be best to have 2 Washingtonians on either side of the house and a doublet under 2 of the front windows.

Do you think pairing Washingtonians or Combining a Washingtonian with a doublet would look nicer?

I would like to know soon since I am buying the trees this Thursday.

[HIF]

Washingtonians grow staight up- I'd go for the mix.

[riveree]

You might want to check the final height of the Washingtonians, I think they get to about 80 feet, unless you've come across a dwarf variety. They should be fairly hurricane-proof, but not like the native palms would be.

Robellinis/Pygmy Date Palms are much shorter (and do well hurricane-wise), but I have yet to see one fare well in our winters. I'm sure there are some who fare well, but I've seen so many of them damaged by our cold. They usually revive again with pruning, but they spend a big part of the year looking awful because of the cold damage. Planted in an alcove close to the house would give your pygmy date good protection though .

As for design, I'm with your wife . Palms look better in clusters, and since they are actually a grass and not a tree, you can plant them very close together and they do fine (shallow roots). I like the idea of the pairs of Washingtonians on either side of the house, and then a doublet or triplet pygmy date in the center (I'd go for the triplet, so you have 2-3-2).

[1970pelle]

I have a Roballini in front of our home.Its a great addition to our home.But it sure takes a lot of care.Just a touch of frost and its brown.I have been learning more and more every year.I have built a easy set-up/tear-down frost room for it.Just covering it dosen't protect it.I found nothing cold can touch it.This year was my best.I did get caught once.But it recovers fast.I'm almost back to normal.I love Washington palms tuff as nails.I'm planing on adding more to our yard.They look good in 3's

[plantlover]

IMO, Washingtonias get way too tall! Unless you have a two or three-story house, such tall palms really are out of proportion. I would suggest some Sabal palmettos. You can buy already mature ones at very good prices and they will be a better design choice.

[HIF]

We have three verrry tall Washingtonians and will give them away to anyone who wants them. Seriously- if anyone would like them, DM me.

[titaniummd]

Thanks, everyone.

I saw this site and will review it thoroughly.

The Palm Reader

Here is the Hardiness zone for our area:
Chapter 12: Hardiness zones, Florida

North Florida Palm trees:
http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/misc/orn-palms-nofl.pdf

Comprehensive Palm Encyclopedia.
Table of Contents

[Karla with a K]

titaniummd
I just finished a Palm tree project for a friend
He used Queen Palms combined with Robellinis
one side/corner of the house are 2 queens with a 4 stock Robellini in the front center of the 2
we put a double Robellini in the alcove in front of a window and in the larger alcove we put a 8' single Robellini there will be a big rock and some other plants going in also

the end result was quite nice
I have pictures I will try to upload later
As far as Robellinis and the cold, your in OP which gets colder than over here on the Southside so you are going to have to be prepared to wrap them when a freeze is expected. The problem folks make is just throwing a sheet over them the best way to protect them other than the frost room 1970 made is to "wrap up" the fronds this will add extra protection to the "crown" you will end up with almost a "tube" effect or as I use to call it standing sheet body bags

Another thing to keep in mind is where you are buying them. You have a choice you can buy and install them yourself or buy them from a good palm dealer and have them install them, this way they come with a year guarantee.
There is a good nursery south of you on 17 right now I am having a mind block on the name but they had good prices with installation

lol hif you going to need someone with the big equipment to move those babies

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by Karla with a K

titaniummd
I just finished a Palm tree project for a friend
He used Queen Palms combined with Robellinis
one side/corner of the house are 2 queens with a 4 stock Robellini in the front center of the 2
we put a double Robellini in the alcove in front of a window and in the larger alcove we put a 8' single Robellini there will be a big rock and some other plants going in also

the end result was quite nice
I have pictures I will try to upload later
As far as Robellinis and the cold, your in OP which gets colder than over here on the Southside so you are going to have to be prepared to wrap them when a freeze is expected. The problem folks make is just throwing a sheet over them the best way to protect them other than the frost room 1970 made is to "wrap up" the fronds this will add extra protection to the "crown" you will end up with almost a "tube" effect or as I use to call it standing sheet body bags

Another thing to keep in mind is where you are buying them. You have a choice you can buy and install them yourself or buy them from a good palm dealer and have them install them, this way they come with a year guarantee.
There is a good nursery south of you on 17 right now I am having a mind block on the name but they had good prices with installation

lol hif you going to need someone with the big equipment to move those babies

I was looking at Pat's Nursery. That is where most people in my area have bought.

I will look at Queen Palms also.

[pirate girl]

Robellinis are hearty and beautiful.

I have three queens in my yard now that seem to be fighting to stay alive- there is some insect that bores into them and I'm trying hard to save them......