[Ozzello]

I finally expanded into doing design/install work in the "newer" Villages this year,(south of 44) and am seeing a LOT of zone 10 trees. People are being told that because the NEW section is 9B, not 9A, that they can plant foxtail palms, Christmas palms, Areca palms and the like.
I assure you (as a native with 40 years experience in nursery work in this area) this is NOT THE CASE.

If you look on the internet at USDA maps, I see many new looking maps showing 9A as a very small pocket of North Lake county and further north. But CORRECTLY the older maps show the area, as running SOUTH OF TAMPA on the western half of the state, and being much, much larger.

Either way, you are still in the CENTER of zone 9, with AVERAGE LOWEST TEMP being around 26 degrees.
Yes, Last winter was AVERAGE, leaving many dead and half dead zone 10 palms in its wake.

If your potential Landscape designer tells you those zone 10 trees are fine, you might want to look for someone with more integrity or knowledge (The results for you are the same). There are a few of us with knowledge experience and integrity, though some days I think less than a few.

Even if you buy into being in zone 9B, the plants/trees that are showing zones 11 through-9B, THOSE TREES would be ONLY FOR..... zone 9B that is ALMOST ZONE 10. Way south of you.

Good luck folks, Oz