I'm in 7b north of Raleigh (about 20 miles) I have been growing hardy tropicals for years here. Palms (5 different ones), bananas, gingers, and many others. I would be glad to help you out with anything you might want to know.

You mentioned Musa basjoo in your list, and that will certainly be hardy. But, I also want to mention that I have had success with Musa ornata for the past four years in Chapel Hill. The M. ornata dies back to the ground every winter, but by August, it is 6 feet tall and flowering. There's a garden in Carrboro that has M. basjoo as tall as the house. The leaves die, but the trunks seem to survive and resprout each Spring.

Orange County is Zone 7a on the USDA map, but I think the new zone map from the National Arbor Day Foundation puts pretty much the entire Triangle area in zone 8 and the Triad on the border between zone 7 and 8.

thank ya'll for responding-what do you fertilize/amend soil with?

I've grown 4 varieties of palms (of varying hardiness) in Raleigh over the last year. They are planted along the south wall of my house and they have done very well. I amended my soil with lots of organic matter and compost. Other than that, I have let them go.

There are hundreds of Chinese Windmill palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) around Raleigh that are growing well with no protection. Just look around for them and they will pop out. This palm is a no brainer. You can see them in Pullen Park, one on Moore Square, Jaycee Park and in many individuals' yards.

There is plenty of palm discussion on the link below. Many people from Raleigh and Atlanta are on this board. Good luck with it!

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardy Palm Board

I think I killed the crown of my windmill-it rotted as I had it in too much shade/water. I poured peroxide into the crown and moved it to a sunnier/drier spot (yes, I have heard of copper fungicide, but prefer organic gardening). The bigger leaves are staying on and still look green and healthy. Hopefully it comes back. I think I learned pretty quick that my main tropical garden has too much shade for palms-oh well, I guess I'll have a nice indoor garden for the winter again for my ponytail, sago, chinese fan. Obviously if I rotted the windmill these guys won't overwinter outside. I am proud to say that I now have added to the tropical garden:
bamboo,
cleopatra cannas
split leaf philo.-selluom
oleander
purple potato bush
red-hot poker
giant dahlias
four o' clocks
more hostas (whirlwind, gold standard, janet, some gold/geen lakeside)
caladium
asiatic lilies
calla
purple oxalis
wandering jew
trailing verbena
I don't exactly have a plan, but I am leaving most plants in their pots around for now to shuffle them around and decide, etc. If anyone has a brugmansia to trade, I would be thrilled-email or post me.