For your viewing pleasure, a few photos of likely the mildest and certainly most tropical location within the borders of Canada. There are probably numerous other places capable of these exotics but none have capitalized to this extent. This is a full on zone 9 location on Salt Spring Island, part of the southern Gulf Island chain, and in relatively close travelling distance from my house. I paid Banana Joe a visit as well as a few other enthusiasts today. (Mar. 15, 2008)

None of the palms or other plant material recieves any special care or winter protection ... what you see is what you get. This is a long term garden and wasn't a recent or staged garden. Passing boaters must think they're navigations have gone wrong, and believe themselves to be 20 degrees latitude further south!

Cheers, Barrie.

Butia capitata fronds over a white beach. (yes ... it's Canada)

Winter has little effect here. Frosts are rare and infreqent.

I visited this garden a decade ago when this Butia was planted. It's 4 times the size now.

Banana Joe along side another Butia capitata (Pindo palm)

Chamaerops humilis are bulking up as well.