Posted by Michael Farge on June 15, 2011, 9:31 am
204.194.77.3

I had the top three shoots shrivel up on my Gary Hollar supplied Rhapidophylum histrix shrub. I live in Alexandria Virginia and have planted 28 palms over the years. As 9 are still living, some large, I consider myself lucky. We have had two terrible winters in the row. The subject plant hasn't resumed growth. (It is dormant) I have read that dormancy can last up to 4-6 months. Next winter, I am considering spraying the area at the tip of this trunk (least hardy zone) with cellulose insulation, and sealing the surface from water penetration with a coating of paint. Hoping to break away the applied mass in the spring. Are there any opinions on this experiment? Covering my palms with frost cloth has not helped due to the winds. Held in place leaf cover caused the trunk of my Yucca carnerosanato to be rocked by the wind, causing cracks in the trunk. Alas, it, my 9 foot high Yucca carnerosana, the crown jewel of my landscape, was killed by the weight of snow snapping it's trunk. (The cold could not kill it) I have two Yucca rostrata to salve my grief. But I have not been able to locate a source of Yucca carnerosana replacement plants???? Oddly enough, I found my original plant at the Blacksburg Virginia Walmart.