A strong, healthy palm plant topped with a blanket of snow may sound like the stuff of fairy tales, but its actually a real photograph that graces the cover of palms wont grow here and other myths, a groundbreaking new book by botany professor david francko. I was impressed from the moment i took the book out of the shipping container because of the gorgeous keepsake box that it comes in. Palms wont grow here and other myths workman publishing. Use anywhere to grow lush palms, cycads and tropical plants. Fishtails are clustering palms that grow dense and full. He is chair of botany for miami university in ohio zone 6 and has done many positive experiments with cold hardy palms. Apr 04, 2016 other possibilities for growing coconuts outside the tropics and for growing tropical plants in regions where theyre not supposed to grow are discussed in the fascinating book palms wont grow here and other myths by david a. Use these inexpensive palms everywhere indoors and out. Palms won t grow here and other myths palms that grow in canada. Within this category there are two types of palm trees.
David franckos book, palms wont grow here and other myths, introduces you to a quiet scientific adventure. The 5 best palmistry books of 2020 to grow your palm. Recommended palms discussing palm trees worldwide palmtalk. Its going to take some time to rewrite and research, but i do think well have it out by some time in august or september.
A lot of palms dont do too well in pots, but windmills do, he said. Warm climate plants for cooler areas 9780881925753 by david a. Planting palms in notquitetropical climes the seattle times. The fruit produced by a mature palm is a good food source for birds. Plants are native to china, tawian and japan, where they grow along subtropical islands and coastlines. Queen palms do not live extremely long here as other palms do as they are tropical palms not desert palms. He debunks myths about the kind of plants that can be grown even. Although the voice of authority and nursery labels might say, you cant grow those plants here, author dave francko has a. Coldhardy palms for temperate european landscapes by. Sabal palmetto in zone 7a bridgeport ct cold hardy palms.
An encyclopedia of cultivated palms robert lee riffle. It is an excellent resource for which species of palms, bamboos, bananas, yuccas, etc grow well in the temperate zones and include information on winter protection, microclimates, etc. Laced with humorous anecdotes and based on years of firsthand observations and research, this book provides realworld information to help adventurous gardeners grow plants they never before dreamed possible. One had died and the other is sickly even though its about 20 ft tall. Nobody who reads this book will ever look at a plant. Franckos book, ive compiled a list of palms im going to try that should require a minimum of fussing around with andor baybying. David franckos book, palms won t grow here and other myths, introduces you to a quiet scientific adventure. Apr 01, 2004 palms won t grow here and other myths. Francko, 9781604693294, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Select palm trees carefully, as many grow too big and are hard to maintain.
Palms wont grow here and other myths palms that grow in canada. They can still have tough outer layers, though, and some have dense woody trunks. It goes into the details on how you can grow cold hardy palms in zones 7, 6 and even 5. With a very interesting covera palm plant in the northeast that is covered with snowdr. Warm climate plants for cooler areas a interesting book challenging the convention and norm on more temperature sensitive plants. You can spot around 60 palms here, all suited to belowfreezing temperatures. Jan 05, 2007 there is a book considered the bible for growing palms in colder climates called palms won t grow here and other myths the author is david a. Maybe i can find just what i need to know to grow some palms in my yard. He cites a few plants that may look tropical castor bean, crape myrtle but are really hardy. Aug 14, 2011 a lot of palms dont do too well in pots, but windmills do, he said. One reason that palms grow fast is that they invest less energy in defending themselves against insect damage than deciduous trees.
Palmettos covered texas for 10,000 years, and there are. Hes the author of the brilliant zonepushing book palms wont grow here and other myths. The right palms, once established, can tolerate long stretches of 510 degree weather, and even colder. As david explains, his book teaches gardeners how to grow warmweather plants in cool places by pushing the zone. With a very interesting covera palm plant in the north east that is covered with snowdr. Nobody who reads this book will ever look at a plant label the same way again. However, few of us are able to recognize even the few minor problems these trees do have. David franckos book, palms wont grow here and other myths. I mummy wrap the palm as discussed in dr frankos book palms wont grow here and other myths in the book, he discusses a man in zone 6b tennessee having success with large sabal palmettos 68 feet of trunk but in a really specialized microclimate take care, drz 2 quote. One of the best gardening books ive read lately is by david francko and called palms won t grow here and other myths. An illustrated guide to palmistry did a great job of doing this.
Palms wont grow here and other myths laura bartlett. Alexander palms grow to an ultimate height of 20 to 25 feet, and prefer full to part sun locations though theyll grow just fine in part shade. Robert lee riffle 19402006 was an internationally recognized authority on palms and tropical plants. See all 10 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. May 18, 2006 okay, first of all, id like to thank everyone for their help, and secondly, my copy of palms won t grow here and other myths just arrived, and based on exhaustive research on my own, and after reading through dr. Thus, the terms coldhardy palm or temperate palm are not oxymorons, but rather refer to members of the palm family that grow well in or at least tolerate temperate climates with cool to cold winters. Palms wont grow here and other myths book austin public. Jan 29, 2020 so, i didnt feel the need to add to my library. Palms wont grow here and other myths book depository. Franckos findings have been published in scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences. The new york times helps adventurous gardeners grow plants they never dreamed possible. Palms wont grow here and other myths warmclimate plants for cooler areas.
Francko that i really like, its called palms wont grow here and other myths. A fish tail palm can grow to 10 meters thirty feet in as little as six years when conditions are optimal. There are 5 major species that will technically grow here. My neighbors already think im nuts for all the plants i grow. Includes 110 color plates and 82 blackandwhite photographs.
They can be used as privacy screens especially while theyre young and create a draping mass of deep green leaves among large trunks as they age. Palms wont grow here and other myths warmclimate plants and trees for cooler areas by david a. Helpful books i feel this is the best and the most helpful book on growing cold hardy palms and exotic plants. Palms the discussion of physiology is at least as interesting as the plant descriptions and advice.
When i got this book in the mail, i instantly fell in love. The paperback of the palms wont grow here and other myths by. Coldhardy palms, like other coldhardy broadleaved evergreens, have the genetic and physiological ability to survive extreme cold. Although the voice of authority and nursery labels might say, you cant grow those plants here, author dave francko has a different message for gardeners. As part of a network of adventurous gardeners living in cooler regions of the world, francko refuses to accept the common wisdom that palms wont grow here. Their fantastic fronds of foliage add life to living rooms, bedrooms, and patios in warm weather. Graceful and elegant, chinese fan palm also goes by the name fountain palm, referring to the way leaf tips dangle.
Other possibilities for growing coconuts outside the tropics and for growing tropical plants in regions where theyre not supposed to grow are discussed in the fascinating book palms wont grow here and other myths by david a. Francko describes in detail practices that let a gardener add as much as two hardiness zones to a garden. I did take the advice about palms wont grow here and other myths. The book gets you to think outside the box, thinking how micro climates within your own garden allows for more adventerous planting. Okay, first of all, id like to thank everyone for their help, and secondly, my copy of palms wont grow here and other myths just arrived, and based on exhaustive research on my own, and after reading through dr. Francko 2003, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. In fact, many of the varieties of palms we grow here in central florida including our state tree, the sabal palm, are trouble free and easy to maintain in most landscapes. In the end, this made it invaluable in my initiative to learn palmistry. I have two in my front yard planted in the grass and they love all the water they can get. For more information about growing warmclimate plants in coldclimate areas, consult franckos easytoread book, palms wont grow here and other myths timber press, 2003. Those options are beyond the scope of this article, but if you feel brave, you can find great techniques for overwintering citrus in a book called palms wont grow here and other myths by david francko of ohio in zone 6. Palms wont grow here and other myths warmclimate plants for cooler areas book.
An encyclopedia of cultivated palms robert lee riffle, paul. It is a reproduction of the latters epic study of the palm family. Small palm trees are an excellent and versatile addition to a yard. The right kind of palms will not only grow and thrive here, but are actually native to the area.
As part of a network of adventurous gardeners living in cooler regions of the world, francko refuses to accept the common wisdom that palms won t grow here. Selfcleaning palms like the alexander are highly prized for ease of care since aged fronds fall off by themselves. The fishtail palm was named for its unusual leaves shaped like a jagged fishs tail which form thick, swirled layers of ruffled fronds. How about southern crape myrtles that flower in birmingham, england, instead of birmingham, alabama. The palms are not the socalled trunked palms with what looks like a long trunk, but ones that have leaves growing out of the soil line think palmettos and such. What palm tree can withstand the coldest temperatures. Palmettos covered texas for 10,000 years, and there are still native stands in dallas. Soak the root ball before carefully and gently moving a palm into a pot or. Although the voice of authorityand nursery labelsmight say, you cant grow those plants here, author dave francko has a different message for gardeners. Francko describes in detail practices that let a gardener add. How palm trees thrive in vancouver despite the freezing.
Warmclimate plants for cooler areas francko, david a. Plenty of palm trees are growing all over north texas. Francko and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Still, i wanted to get her something unique and giftworthy. Growing coconuts outside the tropics the survival gardener. Palm trees are one of the plants we grow that homeowners believe are drought tolerant and basically trouble free. Mar 28, 2007 always be careful when you plant or transplant palms. A interesting book challenging the convention and norm on more temperature sensitive plants. The palms are quite sturdy and can survive freezing temperatures. Grow beautiful palm trees with miraclegro palm tree food, providing essential nutrients, such as magnesium. When it comes time to purchase a reference book, i am the type of person that appreciates organization. A very personal account of gardening successes, written in a friendly, accessible style. A native of madagascar, majesty palms are easycare indoor palms that can grow 10 to 12 feet tall. Palms won t grow here and other myths warmclimate plants for cooler areas book.
For anyone living in a cold climate and wanting to grow palms, this book may awaken an obsession that no therapist can touch. Francko is the author of palms wont grow here and other myths 3. David a francko a professor of botany at a midwestern university as well as an avid gardener, francko backs up ideas with empirical research. Select palm trees carefully, as many grow too big and are. Read an excerpt although most palms grow in warm climates, it is a myth that palms are exclusively tropical or subtropical species. Nobody who reads this book will ever look at a plant label the same way. You can put them around your pool in the summertime, and you wont have to bring those in until it gets really. The 5 best palmistry books of 2020 to grow your palm reading. Palms won t grow here and other myths warmclimate plants and trees for cooler areas by david a. Jul 29, 2011 palms won t grow here and other myths by david a. See more ideas about plants, tropical garden and garden design. Jan 01, 2003 palms won t grow here and other myths book. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Miniature palm trees are generally defined as being under 20 feet 6 m.