Palmpedia - Palm Grower's Guide:PALMPEDIA SPECIES ZONE SCALE

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Palmpedia is going to try a new way to rank and catagorize the cold hardiness of palms. Instead of trying to define the nebulous concept of temperature limits, this will be a comparative rating of species. For example, if you see Royal palms growing in your area, then everything rated hardier on the SZS (Species Zone Scale), say a King, would be a survivor in your area. However, if you don't see any Kings in your area then something rated higher, say a Kentia, couldn't possibly make it. There will be 5 categories/zones, with an A and B in each zone indicating upper and lower limits. Initially, each zone will have a common palm as the "namesake" for the zone as a reference to the types of palms relegated to that zone.

This will always be a fluid document, so jump in and add your 2 cents of wisdom.

SPECIES ZONE SCALE #1 - HARDY PALMS

SZS #1A: The Canary Zone

• Sabal minor - Phoenix canariensis

SZS #1B: The Washingtonia Zone

• Phoenix canariensis - Washingtonia robusta

SPECIES ZONE SCALE #2 - SEMI-HARDY PALMS

SZS #2A: The Queen Zone

• Washingtonia robusta - Syagrus romanzoffiana

SZS #2B: The Pigmy Date Zone

• Syagrus romanzoffiana - Phoenix roebelinii

SZS #3 - TEMPERATE PALMS

SZS #3A: The King Zone

Phoenix roebellini - Archontophoenix cunninghamia

SZS #3B: The Kentia Zone

Archontophoenix cunninghamia - Howea forsteriana

SZS #4 - SUB-TROPICAL PALMS

SZS #4A: The Foxtail Zone

Howea forsteriana - Wodyetia bifurcata

SZS #4B: The Christmas Palm Zone

Wodyetia bifurcata - Adonidia merrillii

SZS #5 - TROPICAL PALMS

SZS #5A: The Coco Zone

Adonidia merrillii - Cocos nucifera

#5B The Lipstick Zone

Cocos nucifera - Cyrtostachys renda