Well, I've become addicted to zone pushing. I currently grow Musa basjoo, two Fargesia bamboo species, and five Phyllostachys bamboo species on my zone 6a property in western NY. I'd like to expand to growing "cold hardy" palms, so here's my question. The winter temperatures here drop below freezing in late Nov, fluctuate in the teens and twenties during Dec, and then fluctuate between single digits and teens during Jan and early Feb. End of Feb we start warming up into the teens and twenties, early March sees temps fluctuating in the high twenties to low thirties, and end of March we start staying above freezing. We will get maybe 3 days in the average winter that drop below 0F. Our average winter minimum is -5F. We get a good amount of lake effect snow that helps insulate throughout winter. Is it worth trying to grow palms on my property given that temps remain below freezing from December through early March (except for random thaws) and often stay in single digits for a week at a time in Jan and Feb? If so, which of the following palms would be best able to adapt to my conditions. I would be planting them in a southern exposure area against the foundation of my limestone house and can provide protection.

Sabal minor 'McCurtain'

Sabal 'Birmingham'

Sabal louisiana

Trachycarpus wagnerianus

Trachycarpus fortunei 'Taylor form'

Trachycarpus fortunei 'Greensboro form'

I have an itty bitty Rhapidophyllum hystrix that is currently spending its second winter outside. It came through its first winter without any leaf burn, probably from being insulated under the snow and mulch.

Thanks all for the advice!