Sabal minor and a sunset
Cold hardy subtropical plants can really lend a cool, laid back feel to any landscape located in a warm enough zone (7 and warmer, and sometimes a 6 with extra protection). Many palms are tough enough to tolerate quite a beating from old man winter as long as the roots are protected. Sabal minor is a wonderful addition to a yard under trees or in the open, and is super hardy. These guys are native to most of the southeastern U.S., and grow as far north as zone 7 in areas like SE Oklahoma and southern Arkansas. This small palm has little to no trunk and has cooling blue-green leaves. It is easy to grow, but like most Sabals, grows slowly. It can be found fairly easily in the nursery trade in southern states, or for some real fun, grow your own from seed using baggies and sphagnum moss. A mature Sabal minor will tolerate down to at least 0°F. The leaves will be frozen off, but as long as the ground doesn't freeze solid, it will resprout once the weather warms. One form of this palm that is particularly friendly to use in a small yard is the super dwarf form from near Blountstown, FL. This really small version of Sabal minor will fit almost anywhere because it only gets maybe 18 inches tall (to the tops of the leaves). This lilliputian form is super cold and drought hardy, having taken ice, snow and horrible drought conditions. With all this, it still produces tons of seed. One of the best ever!
Sabal minor - Blountstown dwarf about 15 years old
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