There's nothing like a palm tree to bring a feeling of the tropics to southern landscapes...but we have to be careful about what varieties we plant as most will not tolerate our colder winters. Typically, we plant palms as specimens in the backyard near pools, garden ponds or other water features. Over the years we've found a few palms to be exceptionally hardy in zone 8 of the southeast.

'Windmill' Palm - A very hardy tree-like palm with a slender trunk. The large fan-like leaves make an attractive compact crown. We plant this one near patios, the swimming pool, garden ponds or in courtyard settings.

'Pindo' Palm - This palm is definitely a welcome and distinctive addition to southern landscapes. Its graceful form and arching blue-green fronds make it excellent for pool-side plantings, as well as for container use. Hardy to 15 degrees. It makes moderately slow growth to an eventual trunk height of 15 feet. Low maintenance is an additional plus for this unique palm.