You do realize that Washingtonia robusta fares poorly as a long term palm outdoors in England? They just don't hold up to the lashing winds and cold of winter once they get some height. You'd be better off sticking with the classic palms for your region, such as the various Trachycarpus and Butias.

A few years ago, in one of the designing tv show, they said you could grow WR in a pot indoors. Potting it would also restrict some of its height -- give it a try.

Sure, give it a try as a potted plant! What have you got to lose? When they get more established, maybe you try one in a very sheltered location (or protect it somehow)? If you lose it, you'll still have the potted ones!

Hi there, yes that is my intention as I realise planting them outdoors would be definate a no goer here following my reading up on Washingtonias. We are in quite an exposed place also, it gets very windy and cold.

As you say, I have nothing to loose, this was just another of my experiments in having a go at something I'm 'not supposed to grow'. I was amazed how quickly they popped up and all of them too, have at least another 40 to plant!! Yikes!

I have also got a seed sown Canary Is. Date and a P. Dactylifera at 1ft and 5ft each, and they are thriving indoors, so hopefully I can now add a few others. Got the large g/h so no problem with growing on. They may even stay indoors permanently as anything can be pot grown provided it's looked after properly.

Have trouble finding deep pots that are not too wide. Do all palms have deep roots like the P. Dactylifera and need these extra deep pots?

Which palm would be the best to try then....Tr. Fortunei and Butia Capitata seem to be my best bets from what I've just found? Any info is appreciated.
Thanks, Gill.

Hi Gill,

Have you considered hardy bananas like Musa Basjoo, Musa Sikkimensis and Musa Itinerans? These can survive the winters in your area. Also some of the hardy bamboos would work to help give your property a tropical look.

Philip

Hello there Philip, nice to 'see' you here!
Must admit I have never thought of any of the banana family as being hardy enough to try here, I had always associated them with far more tropical conditions.
I did have two large pots full of a very rampant bamboo, hence the tubs, till last summer when they unfortunately dried out far too much/for too long and I lost them both completely. Despite my efforts to revive them they had given up. My mum still has hers so I think I may well be asking for a division come spring.
I am going to get some Cannas also as they are lush and tropical to put with my Elephant Ears which had leaves like dustbin lids this summer.
Our 1/2 acre garden is so open and exposed it is difficult to know what to do with it at times as most of it is lawned. Loads of gardening progs on TV give all sorts of ideas/projects but mainly for smaller enclosed town gardens, our is the complete opposite, the area taken up by the driveway and patio are bigger than most folks gardens!...but I love it here and wouldn't change it for the world.
Regards, Gill.