Joe, I live in the Myrtle Beach area also (Murrells Inlet). I have been growing different types of palms from seed for a while now. The trouble with palms are that the fast growing ones are not native to this area thus they have many problems such as cold in winter months, too humid in summer months. I would still recommend the washingtonia robusta (mexican fan palm), or the washingtonia filifera (california fan palm) they are the 2 fastest growing palms for this area with the robusta being the fastest. However the robusta is more sensitive to the cold so you must be prepared to protect it, especially while it is young, (would make a nice container palm for a couple of years). Now the filifera is more cold tolerant than the robusta but you need to remember it grows in a dry arid climate so it struggles with funggal attacks while it is young in our hot humid climate we have. The filifera grows somewhat slower than the robusta and you will still need to offer some protection while it is young from both cold and humidity. Pindo's grow slow but will not be hurt by our cold and after some time they can get to 20' tall. Sabal's are easy to grow from seed as well but will take some time to look like a palm. I am not an expert just some stuff that I have picked up from this board, I hope it helps. David Stallard

Excuse me I live in Rockport Texas, we are zone 9 A and Harlingen Texas is Zone 9 B NOT 10 until you get a few hundred miles into Mexico. Plant that foxtail, I did mines growing, cant keep it potted forever, they grow and grow. Live life and love it,Houston sales foxtails in zone 9 A on border of 8 B ..., My Umbrella trees are huge and have survived 30's in past plant your tree on south side of your house and watch it grow. I bought my foxtail at Lowes also. for $59 doing great its big n tall, read facts and myths about palms not surviving cold, And dont believe everything you read on the internet. Plant it , enjoy it, you only live once.

Most look-a-like coconut palm is the Hybrid xButiagrus, called the mulepalm for zone 8a. cross between Butia Capitata and a Syagrus .... Hard to find, you'll have to count in 3 digits if you want a big one. If you can find a seedling in europe, you are lucky. Try http://www.hardypalms.co.uk/ or in the states; http://junglemusic.net/ Frank Here is a link that might be useful: UK Oasis

Actually, I just remembered a long time ago my friend had a California fan palm in his back yard, and it was grown locally from seed. I believe it was in the ground for quiet a few years and it was well established. It pulled through the winters unprotected, but his neighbor hood "code" made him cut it down because it still had the beard on it and even when pruned they still did not like it, he was not so happy about that. But I think I will be going with the California fan palm. Our winters are dry and it only gets really cold here for about 2 weeks until it starts to warm up. I'll give it a try!