I will be following this one. I too have become very interested in tropical. I am in S.C.. I lost an Oleander last year to freezing temps but the begonias in the exact same spot came back - go figure.

I am told that I can leave my Sagos in the ground to overwinter but I don't have the nerve to try it.

Now I am also going to have bananas to bring in or try to protect in some way.

Someone in my neighborhood had a few sagos outside last year- they didn't survive. Their 2 butia capitatas lost all their fronds, but they've grown back. These plants were also out in the open with no protection. There are tons of sagos down around the coast, which I guess is probably 8b (Myrtle Beach).

I've got a pergola, in an ell of the house. I've been thinking of getting polycarbonate panels for a roof, and fiberglass screening curtains on cables, for walls, which leads to the thought that I could put something else up, like plastic sheets -ick - in the winter. Plus the polycarbonate wouldn't stand a northern snow load. Which is why in my case it would be removeable for winter. But if you get snow, you want to consider snow load.

I would be tempted to put some sort of insulation inside of the privacy fence to help stop heat loss, maybe some of the solid foam panels, or at least sheets of bubble wrap.

Good luck & let us know how it turns out!!

Dan

Short of a true greenhouse, trying to over such a large area to change the climate several zones may be difficult, Also with less sun in the northern states and a possible snow cover also cutting down the sunlight,,it makes it a great challenge.

i have numerous palms out for years here, but I wrap them individually and unwrap them in the spring .. Bas joo bananas thrive here , with a heavy mulch.

Tim,

Not to discourage you, but you need to be realistic about this. Trying to overwinter a couple specimens or a very small area is difficult enough, but a 30' x 30' area? The fence will do little retain heat and do you know how expensive it is to heat an airspace that large? Another good point is the snow load, or in your area (even worst) an ice load. In other words, I'd think small unless you have a lot of capital on hand and wish to do it the right way. Projects like this can seem exciting at first, but end up time consuming and disappointing in the end. PF

Hi Tim,I make a temporary greenhouse each winter,using pvc and plastic sheeting.A heavy rain not counting a heavy snow will bring it down without sturdy bracing.john

Here is a link that might be useful: