Chamaerops humilis; Washingtonia Robusta (probably not W. Filifera -- doesn't like humidity as a desert palm); Trithrinax campestris. If you are a true zone 7b rather than an 8, these 3 species would grow in your area with some winter protection and fast draining soil. Hard to find decent sized T. campestris --- they are very slooooow growing and $$$$. Chamaerops are widely available, and the variety cerifera (blue) is reportedly more cold tolerant than the green form. W. Robusta can be found in a decent size (15 gal.) in the SE. For all these, the key to winter survival is to keep them dry, a challenge in your climate. Good luck.

I think chinese fan palms (livingstonia) are worth a shot because they are so easily found in stores and can survive to 15F with protection. mine have been covered in snow and made it very well, not to mention they look very tropical (some people in the carribean even use them as tall street trees for there tolerance of just about anything). You also forgot to mention the needle palm, and I think if you are really up for a challenge saw palmettos may be worth a try. I think washingtonia filibusta is the best for an east coast zone 7-8 because it has more humidity tolerance than filifera, and more cold tolerance than robusta, but a little "secret' is alot of palms are filibustas becuase robustas and filiferas are so common in california the trees do alot of cross polination, and its actually not very easy to get a pure 100 true robusta or filifera.

there are other butias worth a try and other trachycarpus. Queen palms are quite cold tolerant too (I rememeber seeing a pic of one in Virginia Beach, sone 8a) but I dont think they can go much lower than 20 without some type of protection. Date palms are great, and the true date palm and creatan date palm may be the most cold tolerant.

of course there are tropical like plants that can survive your area and arent palms such as soutehrn magnoais, crape myrtles, possibly live oak 9wont look as fantastic as in a zone 8 though), and also things like texas mountain laurels, agaves, many many yuccas, quite a few flwoering cacti, and bulbs that can be dug up like elelphant ears, cannas 9protected ones will come back), calla lilies (some will come back), swamp lily 9all over the southeast, ect...

hope this helps.

butiaman, have you ever visited NearlyNativeNursery in Fayetteville? From what I hear they are very helpful and they could tell you exactly what survives in that area since they have plenty of experience there. Looking at their list I can see that they sell lots of palms (not just natives). I would probably be going there all the time if I lived closer ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: Nearly Native Nursery

There are so many different varieties of Sabals, that you probably don't have room for them all! Try Sabal minor 'Brazoria' and 'Louisianna' and 'Lisa' for starters. You might even get away with S. palmetto down there. I'll bet you're in a warm 7B.

A queen palm would be worth a try - I planted one in the ground. They are very cold tolerant but I would recommend you cover it in late dec for Jan/feb.

I had one and I left it out to die because it got so big and I planted it in the ground. Sad to say it was incredible and majestic! I couldn't believe it survived so many days in the low 20s and wind and finally died in late Jan.

I should have covered it with lights etc.. I had no idea it planned on living and should have helped her. If I knew then what I know now - famous words for us all.

Needles are great, I'm in Marietta! Lowes on Cobb Parkway had some great deals.

try narrorrhops ritchiana/mazari palm,the silver form is very nice looking! suppose 2 be cold hardy to 15*F or maybe alittle lower but if keep dry durning winter, or when it rains & temps drop below 20 am guessing but not sure, basically try keeping it dry until spring! u also might try a phoenix theophrastii. look them up & do some research on them, they might work for your area.

S palmetto is widely planted in Henry and Spalding counties and were not that much warmer than Douglasville.