Rate of growth is one factor to consider but also consider how robust the plant is--especially growing OUT of their natural hardiness zone in the North. Don't have too much experience with palms from seeds other than with Washys and Date palms. Have had great success with Canary from seed--less so with the "True Date". You might want to try Butias from seed. They are fast grower, cheap, common, cold-hardy and vigorous! Also, keep in mind the importance of providing tropical heat to hasten germination--it makes all the difference in the world even fir the more cold hardies.

There is no stoping the spamers after they have found an easy mark. One deck site I was on for a number of years was completly shut down by spam bandits. If no one stops them on the site, brace up they are going to do what ever they want. J

I think treeguy's suggested temperatures for start of leaf damage to these hardy palms are even a bit optimistic. Siting, wind, and cold duration can affect the damage to palm fronds. Last season we hardly got below zero here in 7a, but the incredible duration (no winter warm-ups) and winds did a number on all my minors and trachys. Needles fared a bit better but still showed some cosmetic damage, depending on siting. You may want to consider large-leaved tropicals used as annuals (or dug and stored), if you have the inclination -- plants like Elephant ears, bananas, castor beans, cannas, coleus, and smaller blooming annuals and foliage plants for a riot of color and variety of leaf shapes. Or large-leaved deciduous hardy trees/shrubs. If you want hardy broad-leafed evergreens, you're going to be very limited in zone 6. Everyone has a different idea of what 'tropical' means too. Some even consider Tree of Heaven to be rather tropical.

Do anyone in NC have a healthy Christmas Palm and or Lady Palm they are looking to rehome, sale, or trade?