Lorrie, we have over 40 palms at our place. I have found that the Queen palms grow the fastest, if you water weekly. The Royal Plams are the easiest to take care of, and the Foxtail are the hardest to grow. Most of mine, I purchased from Wal-Mart in the spring for $18, after 3 years, they are hugh. If you buy the more expensive ones you can have hugh trees in one or two years. When you trim them back in the spring, be sure to always leave at least 3 leaves on your tree, and try to ferterlize them every 6 weeks, my husband sprays with miracle grow. He is the palm lover at our house. Barbra

Lorrie,

Whenever someone moves to a new region and needs gardening advice, I always refer them to their local master gardener association which is located in the county extension office. I believe that Valrico is in Hillsborough County, hardiness zone 9b. (I used to live in Clearwater.) Anyway you might want to consider calling the Hillsborough County Master Gardeners for recommended trees/plants for your area. And their website has lots of good information.

Lorrie,

You should check the Florida Gardening forum. You will get more accurate info for you area.

I am in Riverview, just Southwest of you. We are in growing zone 9A. I do NOT recommend royal palms- too cold- that is why you don't see them around here. How big of a palm do you wish to grow? How many trunks? Would you like edible fruits on them? Full sun or shady? Dry sand or wet? You should try to answer these before selecting a suitable palm. Paul.