Enabler! Now I'll have to go down there.

Try to talk to the owner, his name is Frank and is catching the cold hardy palm/tropical bug. Right now they only have 2 of the very large Trachycarpus Fortuneis, but they will be getting some 5 and 15 gallon Needle palms in the next few weeks. Try to leave one or two for me if you get there first. The employees may be clueless, but Frank will know about the palms. Here is the address and phone number:

Blue Mount Nursery
19412 Smith Circle
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 729-6600

I would check in early May to see if they are in yet. The smaller Trachys I got from him all made it in the ground this year.

While this is not the DC area, you still might want a road trip when you see this website: http://garysnursery.homestead.com
I haven't been, but it looks like my kind of place. Talk about palms!!

just an fyi ....... I have purchased several large 15 gallon Needle Palms over the past few years ( they will ship up to 25 gallons ) via "mail order" from TyTy Nursery, they have been very hardy and have exploded ( as far as a needle palm is able ) since I planted them ... no bud rot and I do no winter protection ... 2 are in partial shade,Northside of my home ... fat trunks with multi branching occuring, I trim one of them up each year to look some what like a Med.,Fan Palm ( one dominate trunk and 4 surrounding trunks.)

My experince with TyTy has been less than positive and several of their palms died whereas PDN's have been healthier.

I have heard that allot about them ..... and have experienced the same issue with several other items but the Needle Palms have always been consistent for me from TyTy .... my sabal minor dwarf castors arrived today from PDN ... small but very nice, I'm going to mix them in around some cactus and yucca trees .......

Another fgood source is a place on Route 1 in Alexandria, VA called Holly, Woods and Vine. They have a good selection of cold hardy palms and bananas.