I agree with Lazy as usual. They'll want more light than a truly sunless exposure. I've seen sago "palms" very happy under those conditions and you can get a palm-like appearance from their foliage, especially as they get older, though I understand it's just not quite the same! Philodendron selloum will be happy in bright shade and it gives a nice tropical look, though it will burn if it gets heavily frosted, so it depends on your microclimate. I'm in N. Scottsdale too and have portulacaria (not portulaca) in large pots by my north-facing sunless entry way and they thrive (when the javelina don't eat them), and my pencil "cactus" (Euphorbia tirucalli) has done great long term too. Those Australian sword ferns ((Nephrolepis obliterata) 'Kimberly Queen'is what I'm growing and it's available at several nurseries and Big Box stores ) love it outside here as long as they get regular water and NOT much sun. They could be worth trying. Let us know what you try, and how it works out. Happy gardening, Grant

blondboy----How do you protect a 7 foot tall palm? gregsytch---actually the filiferas are more hardy than the robustas,most of the robustas people have planted have died here in Albuquerque,while the filiferas survived our record breaking snow,all of the palms were unprotected and in zone 7b. blondboy-watch out for that robusta,the ones that died here in Albuquerque had been there for a few years and were about 10 to 15ft tall.I guess all it takes is a week of 20+ inches of snow and freezing temps to take them out.I can only imagine what the winters look like in ON,Canada.That was a rare snow storm we had and Albuquerque had never seen that much snow before since records had been kept.So hopefully we'll never see it again, although its 101 degrees today my robusta will bake in the sun then I will take it back to Lowe's and buy a windmill.

In Seattle area only the windmill palm is a permanent feature. Mediterranean fan palm tries to do as well, but gets hurt periodically. Other species are seen in the gardens of enthusiasts, but only the windmill palm is seen commonly - none of the others have done well enough to make lasting skyline specimens. A windmill palm in Tacoma, on the other hand was 38' high some years ago. In the Carl English Botanical Garden, Seattle, windmill palms have been observed coming up spontaneously from seed. During 1990, at the same site a Mediterranean fan palm was reduced to a stump (but grew back later). Possibly Mediterranean fan palms of different origins than (most of) those sold and planted here will prove to be or already have been shown by specialists to be hardier, the gray-leaved type for instance. I'm not going to hold my breath, however.

I see alot of the Green forms on the net.growing in peoples yard,some very large.Why I am trying the blue form is because its another color besides green,its blue alright, it almost looks like a glowing powdery blue next to the dark green lawn,and yes its more cold hardy.I try growing plants in general with different leaf color and shape and texture.To me it makes for a more interesting landscape.If everything was green,to me most landscapes would look pretty boaring.Im not saying that people that have all green plants have boaring landscapes,because you can have a good looking yard with all green plants.There are many shades of green.I have many plants besides palms that are a different color besides green theres ,red,yellow,blue,purple,etc.Im talking about leaf or stem color not flower color.Ive been looking on the net. at a silver Sabal minor,because its another color.Theres actually a palm that is red,but its not cold hardy enough for me.I look more at leaf color,shape,size,and texture, than bloom color.Most plants bloom for only a short time but leaf color last all season long.Dont get me wrong this is just my opinion.I ordered a Phoenix Sylvestris,I know Im pushing the cold limits of this palm,but Its has silver fronds.You all here on this garden forum have insrired me to see if I can grow a palm that is rated zone 8.