Question for the Australian ladies........

**QuilterMom** · 03-27-2002, 11:10 AM

Do any of you have a foxtail palm tree?

I have been studying Betrock's Guide To Landscape Palms and this tree looks absolutely gorgeous. I know it originated in Australia so I was wondering if any of you have had experience with it. From what I have read, it sounds just like what we're looking for (no major disease or pest problems, fast growing, fairly easy to maintain).

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

**forestdale** · 11-04-2004, 01:13 AM

well kim, two and a half years after you asked this question, I'm an australian "lady" who is ready to answer.

I have foxtail palms growing in my back yard. They are very easy to grow, require no special treatment and seem to be disease resistant. They used to be a protected species, when I bought mine I had to get them from a specialist nursery. But these are about 9 years old now and maybe their staus has changed.

**QuilterMom** · 11-04-2004, 08:58 AM

More nurseries here are selling these now, but they are very expensive! I wonder how these hold up in strong winds? (After this year I've got to wonder that! LOL)

Most people here plant queen palms (which do blow over easily) and we have native palms called cabbage palms (those are what we have all over our property). There are a variety of others, but those seem to be the most popular here.

I'm glad you bumped this up! I'm wanting to make a little tropical area in one of the back corners of our property and want to put a variety of things there (currently I have 3 hibiscus there and that's it).

**Ellise** · 11-04-2004, 12:27 PM

They sound like what I am looking for as well. Thanks for the bump

**QuilterMom** · 11-04-2004, 12:36 PM

Ellise - They may not do well in your growing zone. http://floridata.com/ref/W/wody_bif.cfm

**forestdale** · 11-04-2004, 02:25 PM

My foxtails have been very hardy. We planted them as small trees, maybe 18" high, just after we bought this house but a few years before we moved in. They survived without regular watering and care. We also live in a cyclone (hurricane) zone, and these palms are known survivors.
Check out this site http://www.palmplantations.com.au/discovery.html There are links at the bottom of the page that will tell you about cultivation. Here are some of their features:

Fast Growth
Self Cleaning
Salt Tolerance
Cold Tolerance
Heat Tolerance
Wind Tolerance
Neat Appearance
Unique frond shape
Resistant to Lethal Yellowing

Kim, ours have not flowered yet. When they do, maybe I can pop a couple of seeds in an envelope for you.

**QuilterMom** · 11-04-2004, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by forestdale
Resistant to Lethal Yellowing

Lethal yellowing seems to be a big problem here. Good that the foxtails are resistant though!

Kim, ours have not flowered yet. When they do, maybe I can pop a couple of seeds in an envelope for you.

That would be just lovely!

Of course I'd be happy to come get them myself if I could afford the trip!!!