Public Palm Planting - thoughts?

[Jdiaz31089]

Hey everyone, there is a large, urban "park" beneath a freeway overpass here in Fresno that I have been given the go-ahead to plant palms in! There are several planting areas where there is irrigation (although there are no plants  - they have been watering decomposed granite for years). Anyhow, I might begin with the areas that are beneath the freeway structures. This is probably one of the spots where I may be able to get away with palms that are marginal here and which wouldn't mind some shade - a lot of ficus species (benjamina, elastica) and other tropicals do well in our climate if they have overhead protection from frost like this. My only concern is that palms might eventually hit the 'roof'. Species I had in mind here were dypsis lutescens, howea species (kind of pricey - and I'm doing this all out-of-pocket so...), ravenea rivularis, archontophoenix. Any thoughts on these? 

To be clear, I won't single-handedly fill this space with palms, I think I might install a couple here and there to spread a bit of palm love though. What would you plant here?

NOTE: There is one section that is open up top (where the maples are planted in the picture). 

There is also a grassy patch here with a northern exposure. 

And on the southern side, there is a long strip that could accommodate some palms also.

 

 

 

[Tracy]

3 hours ago, Jdiaz31089 said:

(although there are no plants  - they have been watering decomposed granite for years). Anyhow, I might begin with the areas that are beneath the freeway structures. This is probably one of the spots where I may be able to get away with palms that are marginal here and which wouldn't mind some shade - a lot of ficus species (benjamina, elastica) and other tropicals do well in our climate if they have overhead protection from frost like this. My only concern is that palms might eventually hit the 'roof'. Species I had in mind here were dypsis lutescens, howea species (kind of pricey - and I'm doing this all out-of-pocket so...), ravenea rivularis, archontophoenix. Any thoughts on these? 

My thoughts were palms which would have some staying power with less water.  My concern would be with the Dypsis lutescens, Howea and Ravenea rivularis, what will happen if they cut back further on irrigation when the next drought comes.  Perhaps Braheas and Butias, although not as tropical, they probably will survive better.  Good luck and post the results when you complete the project!

[Jdiaz31089]

18 minutes ago, Tracy said:

My thoughts were palms which would have some staying power with less water.  My concern would be with the Dypsis lutescens, Howea and Ravenea rivularis, what will happen if they cut back further on irrigation when the next drought comes.  Perhaps Braheas and Butias, although not as tropical, they probably will survive better.  Good luck and post the results when you complete the project!

Yeah, I had the same though. Although, the irrigation was never turned off here even in the midst of the latest drought. Those Japanese Maples are surrounded by concrete and come through summer looking rather decent so there's enough water to keep water-users like those looking alright. I have a young bismarkia that I'm considering for a spot in the middle of the three maples. I think you're right and I'll stay away from those species you mentioned. 

I don't have braheas, but I do have three Sabal 'Riverside' that could perhaps look nice in a line in the grassy patch. Mature Sabals are known to have some tolerance to drought I think. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Locally, Serenoa repens are planted under and around overpasses.