Hey --

I've never kept palms out over winter, but I am now the owner of a few -- Chinese fan, Mexican fan, and one that I've forgotten at the moment. ;-) But I'm posting on this thread because just this past Thursday, I noticed that the UT gardens folks have started planting some small palms spread amongst the conifers and such in the woody/shade area. I didn't get a chance Thursday, but I'm gonna have to ask if they plan on leaving them out this winter!

A Southeastern Palm Society member in Knoxville received a grant from the society to plant palms in Knoxville. I believe he planted several needle palms at UT. My palms are doing well this year as are my Eucalyptus.

They should give me a grant. I'd be happy to plant a few at the arboretum. (-:

Eucalyptus?! A real one? Did it make it through the winter? I have no idea where I would plant one but I grew up in Southern California and I would enjoy having that frgrance around. They do tend to fall over at the slightest provocation though.
I'm really getting interested in Palms now. I could get a small one in a tub here. Couldn't bring it in, though. I did do some googling and found the site below which sells what they claim are hardy palms. I do like the look and structure of a palm.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardy Palms

The Mexican and Chinese fan palms will either die or take significant damage during the winter if planted or left outside. The palms that do best in VA/TN Zones are the Sabal Minor (Dwarf Palmetto)and the Needle Palm (R.Hystrix)as the are bullet proof in winter. The Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei)can be very hardy most winters, but it may require some protection if the temps go below 5F every once and awhile.

Madmouser....A few species of Eucalyptus will do well here. My tallest is nearing 25 feet tall, it is an E. Gunnii. Probably the biggest Eucalyptus in Tennessee is here in the same county I live in, Mcminn, and it is an E. neglecta. I also have E. archerii, and E. pauciflora. They do smell good, the bark peels on them and falls to the ground and it also has that good Eucalyptus smell. Freezing rain is one of their worst enemies.

High winds can also break the tap root and kill the Eucalyptus. A friend of mine in Maryland had a huge spinning gum Eucalyptus that was 30 feet tall and a hurricane took it out that way.