Amongst the best palms for the PNW would be the Windmill Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, which is the palm in the pool photo. Other species of this genus to look for would include the more refined leaf form of T. wagneriana or T. takil. A smaller growing fan palm that is also perfectly hardy is the Mediterranean Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis. There is also a lovely silver leafed version, C. humilis var cerifera. You might also be interested to try growing one of the hardier feather palms, such as Butia capitata, the Pindo Palm. Other subtropical plants that are often used in PNW gardens for a tropical effect would include the various Phormium hybrids, Cordyline australis hybrids and cultivars, and Beschorneria yuccoides. The silvery foliage of Astelias, which much resemble Phormiums in habit, are also quite hardy for Seattle, and would include the larger growing Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear', and others such as A. nervosa 'Red Gem' or similar. Fatsia japonica is always a reliable tropical looking foliage plant. Usually not quite hardy as year round perennials in all but the mildest PNW locations, but great as temperennials, the Abutilons of all colors are great filler plants. Bergenia was already mentioned, but this is a great foliage plant that also blooms in late winter, and is fully hardy, coming from Russia. Winter deciduous subtropicals such as the various Hedychiums are also great, such as H. gardnerianum, H. flavescens, H. greenei. Cautleya spicata is also quite nice, and is quite colorful with summer blooms of red and yellow, and will even bloom in a fair amount of shade. My favorite Canna varieties for tropical flair would have to include the very tall growing C. ehemannii, which can get 10 feet tall, and has smaller rose red pendant flowers that cleanly drop off when done blooming. If you want dramatic foliage that is the equal of a Gunnera, you might also consider planting the Rice Paper Plant, Tetrapanax papyriferus, but this will probably be killed back to the roots in winter in most PNW locations. Melianthus major is another great foliage plant, but will often be killed back to the roots outside USDA zone 9a conditions. As to Acanthus, you should also look for the attractive A. spinosus, which has distinctive looking leaves. Acanthus does perfectly well in full sun in more coastal locations that don't get the baking summer heat of interior Oregon, but in its native Mediterranean habitats it will also quite willingly grow in full sun locations as well. In dry summer locations, it will go summer deciduous, and come back into growth with fall rains. In irrigated gardens, the yellowing, heat damaged foliage can simply be pruned off, and it will often push new foliage immediately if watered and fertilized, or can be allowed to wait until it cools off and starts raining again.

I have extras of these plants. I might not bring them all if I don't hear any interest. It's too much to carry them back and forth. Allen complains a bit. :-) Some of it will still need to be dug so I won't bother if I don't get a pre trade. I have my three year old granddaughter and getting things done is tricky. Tami Artemesia 'Lime Light' Ficus pumila, Creeping Fig Green Plectranthus amboinicus Variegated Cuban Oregano Swiss Chard Vinca major-Greater Periwinkle 'Variegata' 'Firepower' Ajuga Green Aristolochia fimbriata White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe Bamboo Cane Pole Begonia 'Beatrice Haddrell' Rhizomatous Begonia ÂBeef Steak erythrophylla Begonia ÂBenigo Mallet Type Begonia Mini Boston ÂCherries Ân Chocolate Rex Begonia ÂHot Tamalie Cane Begonia ÂOrococo Trailing Zephyranthes Fairy lily, Rain lily. Pink Yellow & White Osmanthus fragrans Sweet Olive Bush Large bush that I plan to dig up. Nandina domestica 'Firepower' Loads of Nandina Tabernaemontana divaricata Pinwheel Jasmine special trade Euphorbia Pencil cactus Graptopetalum Paraguayense - Ghost Plant Kalanchoe -Bryophyllum daigremontianum Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Variegata "Creamed Scallops" Special trade Opuntia Prickly Pear Canna Pretoria ÂBengal Tiger Clerodendron bungei EPISCIA-Blue Nile,Kee Wee,Pink Panther Microsorium diversifolium 'Kangaroo Paw' Nephrolepis exaltata `Bostoniensis' Boston fern. Arundo donax 'Variegata' (Variegated giant reed) Liriope Green Several named HoyaÂs if anyone has some to trade. Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine ÂTricolor and 'Margarita' Lantana, Gold, Purple Trailing and popcorn Musa zebrina Cyperus alternifolius Umbrella Palm Philodendron Monstera Deliciosa Split Leaf Philodendron Spathiphyllum variegated 'Domino' Basella rubra Malabar Spinach Bignonia speciosa Violet Trumpet Vine Lonicera sempervirens (Coral Honeysuckle) Lonicera japonica Japanese , Purpleleaf Honeysuckle Senecio confusus (Mexican Flame Vine) Stigmaphyllon littorale ORCHID (BUTTERFLY VINE) Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Angyo' Tri Color Jasmine Vigna caracalla - Climbing Shell Plant snail vine Wisteria

hello everyone I have not disapiered, just been very buisy. we will be going on a road trip with the boys to San Antonio, we leave on sat and get back in 8 days on sunday. give me a day or two to get the house and garden taken care of and I will start sending everyone my address, if you already have it just post here and it will save me time. here is my FINAL list I promise amaranthus agahstachi - purple pygmy - any except honey bee blue and golden jubalee blushing susie vine bee balm/manarda - white and red butterfly bush cosmos - any coneflowers - harvest moon - paradoxia yellow - sunset - sundown - ruby star - any except purple and black eyed susan columbine - any coriopsis - jethro tull - limerock dream - pin wheel - presto - sweet dreams - mardi gras - any dill deanthus - any purple or red delphinium - magic fountain white - summer skies - belladonna - most any blue or white fennel - green or bronze false nettle geranium - any annual or perenial hostas - any seeds larkspurs - blues merigold - simba milkweed ornamental peppers paw paw poppies - fancy feathers - other frilly - any realy sunflowers - any essp. reds scabiosa - summer berries - any other blue verbina viola - almost any not pink verbascum - banana custard - honey dejon - any zinnias - any I will get in touch with everyone when I get back. have a great day michelle

David, thanks for your reference to this species, O. cacanapa-ellisiana! I did not know about this Opuntia at all until you mentioned it. I just purchased and received cuttings from an on line source. Absolutely gorgeous! Received several LARGE pads for $12.00! I have LOTS of O. humifusa which I also love..., despite the thorns and the prickles. The spineless one is hardy also to Zone 7a..., I hope it too is deer resistant! LOL. BTW, do you happen to know if either of these species is eaten, by humans (I know that there is at least one tropical species is eaten), O. indica (which I do grow but not to eat!) Oh, I am not even that much of a cacti nut..., except for epiphytic cacti, Opuntia and Cereus (so, I guess the more tropical/subtropical species, not so much the xerophytic ones).