First, check out the Southeastern Palm Society site:
www.sepalms.org

Second, look around Augusta. The successful trunking palms are
1. Trachycarpus fortunei
2. Sabal palmetto
3. Butia capitata
4. Chamaerops humilis

MX fans are not reliable in z8. I know there are a few on Washington Rd at a hotel, but you don't want a 15-ft stump to remove every 6 or 7 years.

Palmettos can be purchased as bare-root plants in the spring or summer. Likewise, the others mentioned are available at Nurseries Caroliniana after April.

Third, palms should be planted when soil temps are rising. You should not plant until late March (#1, #4) or early May (#2, #3).

Consider also Sabal minor, Serenoa repens and Rhapidophyllum hystrix. These are nice understory shrubs.