Quote:
Originally Posted by north 42
I saw that a while back, windmill palms like that are possible to grow in Southwest Ontario with just a bit of protection, if well situated, unfortunately
Many people just don't realize what is possible to grow here when it comes to hardy subtropicals.
I think I may do a little guerrilla gardening in the spring and plant some hardy subtropicals like Hardy Silk Trees in along the riverfront park system and see what takes.
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I believe I saw some people who posted their windmill palms in New York city which is zone 7a, similar to Windsor and Niagara/St Catharines regions.
That's why I think taxpayers in those 2 regions can push for pilot projects to experiment windmill palms, OUTDOORS of course !
Here's what I think what tax payers in those 2 regions (7a) can do:
(1) Tax payers get together, either online or via telephones, to discuss strategies.
(2) Get a hold of their city councillors.
(3) Tell them (councillors) some tax payers are interested in these pilot projects and would like the councillors to push for it.
(4) Show them what we found: Pictures, websites that show windmill palms survive outdoors in Niagara and Hamilton without protection in some selected locations.
(5) Show them websites that indicates windmill palms are hardy to 7a or even 6ab.
(6) Tell them we, the tax payers, don't mind if the city plants a few MATURE windmill palms in some selected locations in the pilot projects such as some selected locations at the botanical garden in Niagara Falls (I am not familiar with Windsor)
(7) Tell them we, the tax payers, don't mind to wait but we do mind if we have to wait forever. Demand a time frame from the councillor, hence city officials from The Parks Department.
(8) Tell them to set aside a small budget for even 1 MATURE windmill palm. I think it cost $700/tree (my recollection but it could be cheaper) plus transportation and planting. Staff of the botanical garden can plant the tree, and tell the councillor it's their job (botanical garden's staff) to plant the tree at no extra cost to the city.
(9) Tell the councillor tax payer (our interest group) will participate, develop and MONITOR this pilot project. Let them know we are willing to help AND keep an eye on the progress.
(10) Tell them we will not take excuses such as "Oh, I forgot to wrap the windmill palm and turn on the light bulbs in the winter when the forecast indicates a -15C is coming ..." and "The poor windmill palm dies so we think they don't survive in the Niagara regions", that's not acceptable.
(11) Tell them if they (Parks official/staff) can't do their jobs, someone else can ! It's tax payers who pay them good salary and a gold plated pension. Let them know in advance we know what we are doing.
What do you folks think about my suggestions ? Any other suggestions ?
Isn't it nice to see windmill palms popping up in front of the botonical garden in Niagara Falls ? BTW, I saw ONE tall windmill palms inside the green house in Niagara Falls. So they (Parks staff) know them well. We, the tax payers, just have to push for these pilot projects.