In zone 7 (i.e. NY, coastal RI, NJ, etc.), only the Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) and the Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) will grow without protection. The Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) can also be cultivated, albeit some protection will be required. For beginners, the best cold-hardy palm to start with in zone 7 would be the needle palm. It's low mainetance and super hardy!

They are large and pretty! That's all you need to know. Also, they evolved about 1700 years ago and there are over 1100 types of palm trees

The Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) is typically considered the most cold-hardy palm in the world able to withstand temps below 0F for short periods of time. One palm has been reported as having survived -20F! Native to the southeastern United States.

Despite its reputation for palm trees, the state of California has only one native palm (washingtonia filifera) the California Fan Palm.

Continental Europe has only one native palm: the Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops Humilis)

The Mediterranean Fan Palm is also the Northernmost occurring palm in the world, ranging as far north as 43° 07' N in France

The worlds largest seed comes from the Seychelles Island Palm, up to 12in long, 3ft in circumference, and weigh up to 20kg!

The worlds largest palm tree is usually considered to be the Chilean Wine Palm (Jubaea Chilensis)

* Ramonda * Ranunculus (buttercup, crowfoot) * Ranzania * Raoulia * Raphia (raffia) * Ratibida * Ravenala (traveler's tree) * Rebutia * Rehderodendron * Rehmannia * Reineckia * Reinwardtia * Reseda (Mignonette) * Retama * Rhamnus * Rhaphidophora * Rhaphiolepis * Rhapidophyllum (needle palm) * Rhapis (lady palm) * Rheum (rhubarb) * Rhexia* Rhipsalis * Rhodanthe (strawflower) * Rhodanthemum * Rhodiola * Rhodochiton * Rhododendron * Rhodohypoxis * Rhodophiala * Rhodothamnus * Rhodotypos * Rhoeo * Rhoicissus * Rhombophyllum * Rhus (sumac) * Rhynchelytrum * Rhynchostylis (an orchid genus) * Ribes (currant) * Richea * Ricinus (castor-oil plant) * Rigidella * Robinia * Rochea * Rodgersia * Rodriguezia * Rohdea * Romanzoffia * Romneya (Matilija poppy, tree poppy) * Romulea * Rondeletia * Rosa (rose) * Roscoea * Rosmarinus (rosemary) * Rossioglossum * Rothmannia * Roystonea (royal palm) * Rubus (raspberry) * Rudbeckia (coneflower) * Ruellia * Rumex (dock) * Rumohra * Rupicapnos * Ruschia * Ruscus * Russelia * Ruta (rue)

Yes, there are several species of palms that will grow in central and eastern Maryland. The hardiest of these is the Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix), which grows as a spreading bush-type palm. It will survive all the way into the mountains of Western Maryland. The Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) will survive well into the piedmont, and specimens have been seen as far west as Hagerstown.

The hardiest trunking palm tree is the Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei). There is a large group of windmill palms behind the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC that have been thriving, unprotected, for many years now. Windmill palms have also been spotted in Baltimore City, Dundalk, Catonsville, Ellicott City, Annapolis, and there is a 20-foot specimen growing on the grounds of the Chesapeake Biological Lab in Solomons, MD. Windmill palms are actually very commonly planted in Ocean City because, unlike the more tropical palms, they do not need to be replaced every spring. The cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto) can also be grown in some parts of Maryland, if it is provided with adequate winter protection for the first few years it is in the ground, and it is sited well (against a building, on the south side, away from harsh winds).

There are several other species of palms that people are experimenting with in Maryland. You will see palms more commonly planted in MD in the future.