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Top plants to grow with palms.


sebastian

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If you had to choose just 10 companion plants for your climate.

What would you choose???

Heres a few of my favs, none are rare but all are pretty hardy in the subtropics and very usefull.

1# Bromeliads (various)= perfect palm companions.

2# Cordylines(various)=another perfect palm companion,instant colour.

3# Crotons= great colour.

4# Ophiopogon sp(mondo grass)=very usseful perfect for borders and filling in areas.

5# Liriope varigata(stripy white)= another usefull grass like plant.

6# Rhoeo's(moses in a basket)= Great shape and purple colour.

7#Dracena reflexa(song of india)=another top tuff varigated plant.

8# Zingeber spectabilis (bee hive ginger)= gotta love those flowers.

9# Helliconia rostrata(parrots beak helliconia)= one of the most common helliconias, but also one of the best.

10# Helliconia angusta (red Xmas/holiday)= a top plant flowers in the shade in winter and clumps unlike many smaller helliconias.

Sunshine Coast

Queensland

Australia

Subtropical climate

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great topic!these all make great additions to the garden

& accent the palms well.crotons are not an easy grow in socal(at least inland),tho.

the "prince of snarkness."

 

still "warning-free."

 

san diego,california,left coast.

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Besides the couple or so palms I planted(nothing to rare) :P , I have used the following.

 Crotons, many of them.Can't beat the splash of color.

 Bromeliads, good filler plants, color down at your feet.

 Cycads, sometimes overlooked. But these make a good accent.

 Mondo Grass, a good ground cover, especially along some rock boarders.

 Sanchezia, Graptophyllum,cordylines, clerodendrums, are just some of the others I like to use.

Jeff

Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

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Aw shucks Jeff I sure cant grow some of that stuff with the exception of Mondo (I dont personally, but its sure great formy Med scaping.)

Some forms of Ophiopogon can also be used apart from the black form which I.M.O. is over used although Singapore Botanic Gardens have utilised it well.

It doesnt need cutting, its evergreen, and easy peasy as well!

Loads love to Andrea

PS. What strong shoulders she has - I had a gentle feel and I sure reckon I know who does the heavy lifting down in Searlsville!!

Regardez

Juan

Juan

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Orchids are #1 on our list, followed closely by anthurium, bromeliad,

heliconia, croton, and (as you can see) anything else with color -

accents for the mostly green of the palms. My better half can't wait

for any palm to trunk so she can attach orchids to them. Sometimes

in her haste, she attaches them to leaf bases that will soon go

away. She's learning quickly tho'. ;)

On your choice #9, this is what we know as Heliconia rostrata, its a

pendant variety, these are understory in a mini-grove of cocos:

heliconia_rostrata.jpg

What we know as "marching parrot's beak" looks like this, maybe it

is H. psittacorum, these are kinda isolated because of the marching

habit.

heliconia_parrots_beak.jpg

aloha,

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Hi Sebastian, here is a small list that could certainly get bigger.

How about some flowering trees, fragrant or appealing to the eye.

Tillandsia and broms both these can be used in trees or palms on the ground or on walls or rocks.

Crotons for that constant splash of colour.

Heliconia's, there's a few sp that should grow in cold climates H.augusta, H.papsiana are, two very good ones. For the subtropics these two are very spectacular H.bourgaena pink and H.Griggsiana, angry moon. Ps try to stay away from psittacorums (these can become hard work).

Also gingers and costus, Z.neglectum is a very nice one, and there is a new giant form of Z.spectabilis,  these can come in many colours also.

Orchids as many that grow well for you. These also can be used in many different  places.

Tree ferns

Stag horns

Alocasia's.

Cycads.

Fruit trees( what ever you like).

Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia

Minimum 3.C -------- maximum 43.C Average Annual Rainfall 1700mm

IPS Membership since 1991

PLANT MORE PALMS TO SOOTH THE SOUL

www.utopiapalmsandcycads.com

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Oh yes Helliconia psittacorum varietys can be a nightmare had a few diffrent types but there now all gone.

Helliconias and gingers are great but a lot can be high maintance when you dont have the room trying to keep them from clumping to big.

Went through a phase where i couldn't stop buying them had over 20 different gingers and about 15 helliconias (11 biggys) but now that number has been knocked way back.

Sunshine Coast

Queensland

Australia

Subtropical climate

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Orchids, Bauhinia galpinii, Dioon, Encephalartos, Ravenala madagascariensis, roses (so, SUE ME!) Tibuchina, Jasminum nitidum, Aloe vera . . . .

dave

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Crotons and Agave.

Tampa, Interbay Peninsula, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10A

Bokeelia, Pine Island, Florida, USA

subtropical USDA Zone 10B

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OK, without being even vaguely specific.

1 - Bromeliads

2 - Cycads

3 - Bananas (including relatives like Strelitzia and Ravenala)

4 - Cannas

5 - Tree Ferns

6 - Gunnera

7 - Orchids

8 - Gingers

9 - Bamboos

10 - Agaves/Aloes

Not necessarily in that order, as it rather depends on the appearance you are trying to create.

]

Corey Lucas-Divers

Dorset, UK

Ave Jul High 72F/22C (91F/33C Max)

Ave Jul Low 52F/11C (45F/7C Min)

Ave Jan High 46F/8C (59F/15C Max)

Ave Jan Low 34F/1C (21F/-6C Min)

Ave Rain 736mm pa

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I think that all suggestions are excellent if the climate is right.

Yes even Mondo is grown at Sinapore BG (the green form Im told) and its also probably the dwarf form too I would guess.

One plant that looks great in the right position is Fatsia japonica "Aurea" it reqires virually total shade as even a small amount of sunlight distors the tropical looking leaves.

It looks good near water too-very lush indeed in the nicest possible way.

Only problem is that it aint easy to source but is worth searching for.

Not to confused with either the common green form nor the over flashy form (IMO) F. jap "Variegata".

Regardez

Juan

Juan

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I have just started in the past year at my house, but here are some that I have mixed into my landscape.

I don't know all the proper names so I will use the names I know them by.'

Flax

Aloes

Agaves

Yucca (rostrata, receda

Roses (is this supposed to be a no no Dave?)

Dasylirion longissimum (Mexican Grass Tree)

Deodar cedar

giant weeping redwood (small now)

rosemary

cycas revoluta

encephalartos trispinosus

Dion edule

I have about 3 acres of my property that I would love to plant on, but not three acres of $ so it will be slow going but enjoying every minute of it.

I hope to soon add a Xanthorea preissi/glauca (australian grass tree)  if I can find a trunking plant for sale

MattC

Matt from Temecula, CA, 9b

Some Pics

Cycads

Temecula.gif

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the Zamia pumila group of little cycads from the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Florida are useful low shrubs.  Of course it helps that one of them is native here, and reproduces happily.

Fla. climate center: 100-119 days>85 F
USDA 1990 hardiness zone 9B
Current USDA hardiness zone 10a
4 km inland from Indian River; 27º N (equivalent to Brisbane)

Central Orlando's urban heat island may be warmer than us

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Matt, have you been to Tropical Plant World off the 15 just a few miles north of Escondido? They have some large ones - Xanthorea. They have some really large Dasylirion longissimum too. But it is not cheap getting these with trunk.

Len

Vista, CA (Zone 10a)

Shadowridge Area

"Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are."

-- Alfred Austin

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Here in the cooler warm temperate area I use:

Rainforest planting scheme:  For fully assured moisture, part sun, palms like Howea,  Dypsis, Chamaedorea

1# Bromeliads (Vriesea, Neos, Aechmeas)

2# Cordylines,  miniature types .

3# Clivia miniata.   Good, drought tolerant

4# Cycads,  

5# Gingers,  Hedychiums mainly

6# Alocasia/Colocasia...

7# Ground Ferns:   Asplenium australasicum

8# Rhododendron vireya

9# Bamboos

10# Bananas

11# Ficus various

12# Schefflera arboricola/actinophylla

Savannah planting scheme:  For assured moisture, full sun, palms like Brahea, Butia, Phoenix, Washingtonia

1# Bromeliads ( Neos, Aechmeas, )

2# Cordylines.

3# Cycads,

4# Agaves ,  attenuata

5# Yucca

6# Succulents :  Dudleya, Aeonium,  Senecio serpens

7# Grass tree; Xanthorea

8# Grasses.... various

9# ...

10#...

chris.oz

Bayside Melbourne 38 deg S. Winter Minimum 0 C over past 6 years

Yippee, the drought is over.

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(LJG @ Jan. 21 2007,20:23)

QUOTE
Matt, have you been to Tropical Plant World off the 15 just a few miles north of Escondido? They have some large ones - Xanthorea. They have some really large Dasylirion longissimum too. But it is not cheap getting these with trunk.

Hi LJG,

Thanks for the tip.

How exactly would I get there from Temecula?

Thank you,

MattC

Matt from Temecula, CA, 9b

Some Pics

Cycads

Temecula.gif

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I think tropical bamboo can really add a new layer of vertical structure even against some of the taller growing palms. Plus many have beautiful culm striations as well.

Besides bamboo, if my climate was more conducive for palm growing, I would probably use, bromeliads, cordylines, aloes and other succulents along with some of the flowering trees especially the Bauhinias and Ceibas.

Cincinnati, Ohio USA & Mindo, Ecuador

 

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Well,my Dypsis lutescens shares its pot in the kitchen with an unknown fern that turend up one day-some spores must have blown in or were lying dormant in the compost.

Larry Shone in wet and sunny north-east England!  Zone9 ish

Tie two fish together and though they have two tails they cannot swim <>< ><>

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I suppose I should add Ti plants to my list having just bought three of them.

]

Corey Lucas-Divers

Dorset, UK

Ave Jul High 72F/22C (91F/33C Max)

Ave Jul Low 52F/11C (45F/7C Min)

Ave Jan High 46F/8C (59F/15C Max)

Ave Jan Low 34F/1C (21F/-6C Min)

Ave Rain 736mm pa

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Philodendrons (scandent and heading, both specie and hybrids)

Bromeliads

Ferns

Grasses and relatives

More Palms!

Minneola, Florida

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How exactly would I get there from Temecula?

Going south on the freeway, exit at Deer Springs/Mountain Meadow Rd.   Go east to the first stop sign (N. Centre City Pky.) and turn right (south).  Go about 1/2 mile and you'll see Tropic World.

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  • 2 weeks later...

These plants work for me...

  Rain Lilies, Zephranthes and Habranthus

  Aloe Saponaria

  Kalanchoe species

  Bulbine

  Golden pothos

  Smaller Hippeastrum species

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Favorite companion plants for palms:

Adenium obesum & hybrids

Fire (Mamey) croton

Hibiscus, the single red brilliant and seminole pink

Allamanda vining & dwarf (not bush-forming)

Mandevillea

Gold dust croton

Schefflera arboricola variegata "Trinette"

Hibiscus moscheutos

More fire crotons :D

...and lately, geraniums (pelargoniums)

In my unkempt, overgrown side garden - when I get around to cleaning it up - I'm trying bougainvilla and plumbago "Imperial Blue."  I'd also like to use heliconia and monstera with the shade-loving palms.

St. Pete

Zone - a wacked-out place between 9b & 10

Elevation = 44' - not that it does any good

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  • 6 years later...

Crinum asiaticum and the other tropical looking crinums! Also Farfugium

-Krishna

Kailua, Oahu HI. Near the beach but dry!

Still have a garden in Zone 9a Inland North Central Florida (Ocala)

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I like

Plumeria -- maybe will provide a little canopy if any of them get really big?

Adenium obesum -- great flower colors, interesting plants -- especially if you prune them.

Clivia -- good color in some of the shadier spots

Cymbidium orchids -- another good partial shade flower

Bromeliads

Cycads -- all types

Ferns -- all types

Canna -- hey they look better than ginger -- which can get a little ratty -- here in my inland garden

Roses -- I know.. they need proper pruning, maintenance, and lots of fertilizer and water to look their best.

Impatiens -- especially the "New guinea"

Avocado's -- I use them to provide canopy (It is okay to prune them "aesthetically" -- they will still get fruit)

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