Yes, not the most exciting palm but.......

[Pip]

I just planted my second Trachycarpus fortunei. The first has been in the ground about 4 and a half years near my front door. I thought it needed a friend positioned on the otherside of the path to frame the front entrance.

The planting hole filled with water the only way to plant in the middle of summer

[Peter G]

Looks great Phil!

[JT in Japan]

Good choice for an accent entryway location, Phil. You'll have two furry trunks eventually framing your front door.

JT

[Pip]

From the photos I've shared it might not seem that I have a plan for how I want my garden to look. This evening I sketched out what has been in my head for a few years. I have partially dawn it out before but this is probably as close I can get. It all started with the idea of a curved port wine magnolia hegde disected by a pathe leading to the front porch. My house has strange little windows that eventually will frame the foilage of the garden outside.

If you look carefully in the top right corner of the sketch there is a palm that is missing a label. Any suggestions?

[Peter G]

Missing palm : Nannarhops Ritchiana

[Pip]

Missing palm : Nannarhops Ritchiana

In that corner I'm able to keep the soil fairly damp at the moment there are some elephant ears and Belgium hybrid Clivia. The sketched plan doesn't show the existing vegetation Dodenia viscosa purpurea that provides morning shade also the eastern side of my property is bordered by a seasonal man made creek/colvert that had varying flows of water throughout winter. I was thinking something with a tall thin trunk that would be nice as a stand alone specimen that would grow up into the sun but would have afternoon shade from the house.

[JT in Japan]

Missing palm: howea fosteriana,... You can have two.

[Pip]

More Howea just because they are gorgeous. I was thinking slightly faster growing like Archontopheonix alexandrea or similar that would then be repeated somewhere in the back garden.

[peachy]

I think a healthy, well grown Trachycarpus can be a beautiful palm. If you can give them well fertilised soil, plenty of water over summer and a good organic mulch, they grow fairly quickly too. Mine went from 40 cms to 1.5 metres in just over 3 years. Your garden plan looks interesting and full of potential, wish I was organised enough to do that instead of just shoving in a palm wherever I had some space.

Peachy

[Ken Johnson]

Missing palm...Brahea (silver)? Smaller type?

[DoomsDave]

All of the Trachies can be great. They are under-used in many places, I think because they are, as a group, so reliable.

T. martianus is one of my favorites. Looks almost like a Cocothrinax.

[WestCoastGal]

Looks good there! I like your entrance area. Very welcoming.

We only have one trachy in our yard at the present and it has grown enough and with trimming is enabling us to add a few things below for a nice layered look. They look nice clumped together or rising above undergrowth. Nothing shabby about that!

[Pip]

Missing palm...Brahea (silver)? Smaller type?

For some reason I have no why any Brahea sp. are rarely available in the local nurseries. It is one I'd either have to grow from seed or dig up one of the many seedlings growing under the mature specimens in the Waite Arboretum.

[DoomsDave]

Missing palm...Brahea (silver)? Smaller type?

For some reason I have no why any Brahea sp. are rarely available in the local nurseries. It is one I'd either have to grow from seed or dig up one of the many seedlings growing under the mature specimens in the Waite Arboretum.

Another Ozzian has complained about the lack of Braheas, too, in Melbourne.

See my PM.

[Pip]

All of the Trachies can be great. They are under-used in many places, I think because they are, as a group, so reliable.

T. martianus is one of my favorites. Looks almost like a Cocothrinax.

I agree, and again they can at times be difficult to come by in the retail nurseries. Not as difficult as Brahea I found my newest Trachycarpus fortunei at the specialist nursery lucky it is in my local area. The more conventional retail outlets are pushing Livistona chinesis as thier fan palm of choice at the moment.

[Mandrew968]

Pip, your post and drawing got me to thinking... I looked up Waite Arboretum, as I am guessing that you live nearby... So now that I see where in Australia you are, I understand the particular species you can grow--subtropical stuff--What about a Livistona collection, or even a Macrozamia collection? I couldn't see how(if I lived in your neck of the woods) I could grow any other species of Cycad... I could be extremely naive, though--are various Macrozamia hard to come by, in Australia?

[Pip]

Pip, your post and drawing got me to thinking... I looked up Waite Arboretum, as I am guessing that you live nearby... So now that I see where in Australia you are, I understand the particular species you can grow--subtropical stuff--What about a Livistona collection, or even a Macrozamia collection? I couldn't see how(if I lived in your neck of the woods) I could grow any other species of Cycad... I could be extremely naive, though--are various Macrozamia hard to come by, in Australia?

The horticulture industry in particular ornamental plant production collapsed back in 2007 during the drought that gripped Australia. Water restrictions made things very difficult for gardeners and even more difficult for production nurseries. Most plants for sale now in South Australia are surplus to Victoria or New South Wales. There aren't that many different cycads produced for the landscape industry let alone native cycads. I've never really been that interested in cycads I only habe them because someone else bought them thinking because I enjoy palms I must love cycads too. I'm not aware of any Cycad endemic to South Australia.

I have thought about a collection of livistona and how a few of them might fit into my garden that is slowly developing. Again the availability becomes an issue.

[Pip]

I think a healthy, well grown Trachycarpus can be a beautiful palm. If you can give them well fertilised soil, plenty of water over summer and a good organic mulch, they grow fairly quickly too. Mine went from 40 cms to 1.5 metres in just over 3 years. Your garden plan looks interesting and full of potential, wish I was organised enough to do that instead of just shoving in a palm wherever I had some space.

Peachy

I tend to dream alot and have ideas come and go. I need to draw out my ideas. The sketched plan shared is only a representation of what I've got in the garden right now. There are a existing plants that didn't make it onto the plan because they will be removed. I too get side tracked when I visit garden shops and see a well grown something I just have to have.

[hopper]

Pip. The plan looks great. I will have to get you to come around and sketch up and design my front and back yards.

[Pip]

Pip. The plan looks great. I will have to get you to come around and sketch up and design my front and back yards.

Glad you like it Martin. It is good to know those years of study haven't gone to waste.

[Mandrew968]

Pip, your post and drawing got me to thinking... I looked up Waite Arboretum, as I am guessing that you live nearby... So now that I see where in Australia you are, I understand the particular species you can grow--subtropical stuff--What about a Livistona collection, or even a Macrozamia collection? I couldn't see how(if I lived in your neck of the woods) I could grow any other species of Cycad... I could be extremely naive, though--are various Macrozamia hard to come by, in Australia?

The horticulture industry in particular ornamental plant production collapsed back in 2007 during the drought that gripped Australia. Water restrictions made things very difficult for gardeners and even more difficult for production nurseries. Most plants for sale now in South Australia are surplus to Victoria or New South Wales. There aren't that many different cycads produced for the landscape industry let alone native cycads. I've never really been that interested in cycads I only habe them because someone else bought them thinking because I enjoy palms I must love cycads too. I'm not aware of any Cycad endemic to South Australia.

I have thought about a collection of livistona and how a few of them might fit into my garden that is slowly developing. Again the availability becomes an issue.

So how dry are we talking for you? Desert or chaparral? I am not a big Cycad guy either, but when in Rome... Australia IS the place for Macrozamia. Lots are not easy to grow outside their native range, but I bet your soil is fit for them. As for availability--you gotta ask yourself how serious you are about what you call yours and look at everyday--I know I would be traveling all over your country to be collecting all of the wonderful native palms and cycads of Australia. In South Florida native palms and cycads can be limited and thus boring, but Australia has a lot to offer! And if you can't travel, why not reach out via palmtalk for others on your continent who would be willing to sell or give you natives that are near them--even trades? That just seems like a 'no-brainer'. I bet that nice map you drew took longer to do

[Pip]

So how dry are we talking for you? Desert or chaparral? I am not a big Cycad guy either, but when in Rome... Australia IS the place for Macrozamia. Lots are not easy to grow outside their native range, but I bet your soil is fit for them. As for availability--you gotta ask yourself how serious you are about what you call yours and look at everyday--I know I would be traveling all over your country to be collecting all of the wonderful native palms and cycads of Australia. In South Florida native palms and cycads can be limited and thus boring, but Australia has a lot to offer! And if you can't travel, why not reach out via palmtalk for others on your continent who would be willing to sell or give you natives that are near them--even trades? That just seems like a 'no-brainer'. I bet that nice map you drew took longer to do

[Mandrew968]

I can't say that's not my favorite Aussie palm either! But yes, far too tropical even for me--I am not aware of a single one growing in Florida??? Anyone? I believe it is due to the difficult germination... As for the Livistona being slow--that's the case for many species here, too(Sabal is the prime example--if you get a large one, almost 100% it was poached from a natural preserve or park).

I am not sure what you mean by the transition; is from Chaparral to semi-arid monsoonal, a progression towards more moisture or is the place drying up? your red soil will hold moisture for the roots so the dryness will not be so indicative of what may grow well. I know we get more rain than you guys, but when we do get our dry season, our soils are so much more draining than yours, that our Livistonas often dry out! I remember talking to Wal about this, as he was shocked such a 'drought tolerant palm' as Livistona would have such a hard time here... Are you looking for an Oraniopsis? I would be, with your soil

[Peter Timmermans]

I think a healthy, well grown Trachycarpus can be a beautiful palm. If you can give them well fertilised soil, plenty of water over summer and a good organic mulch, they grow fairly quickly too. Mine went from 40 cms to 1.5 metres in just over 3 years. Your garden plan looks interesting and full of potential, wish I was organised enough to do that instead of just shoving in a palm wherever I had some space.

Peachy

I agree Peachy. These are pics from Lago di Garda in Italy. I have never seen so many Trachy's in one garden. They seem to naturalise very easy.

[Peter Timmermans]

And some recent pics of my back yard (Nov 2014). Two Trachy's and 3 Waggy's. I am quite happy with my Trachy!

[Mandrew968]

Those palms above, look FANTASTIC!!!

[Pip]

And some recent pics of my back yard (Nov 2014). Two Trachy's and 3 Waggy's. I am quite happy with my Trachy!

Peter you should be happy with them. Your Trachycarpus look wonderful. You have created a gteat place to sit.

[Pip]

I can't say that's not my favorite Aussie palm either! But yes, far too tropical even for me--I am not aware of a single one growing in Florida??? Anyone? I believe it is due to the difficult germination... As for the Livistona being slow--that's the case for many species here, too(Sabal is the prime example--if you get a large one, almost 100% it was poached from a natural preserve or park).

I am not sure what you mean by the transition; is from Chaparral to semi-arid monsoonal, a progression towards more moisture or is the place drying up? your red soil will hold moisture for the roots so the dryness will not be so indicative of what may grow well. I know we get more rain than you guys, but when we do get our dry season, our soils are so much more draining than yours, that our Livistonas often dry out! I remember talking to Wal about this, as he was shocked such a 'drought tolerant palm' as Livistona would have such a hard time here... Are you looking for an Oraniopsis? I would be, with your soil

The talk of Adelaide's expected climate change is a response to more frequent extended periods of extreme heat and less frequent but more intense rain events. It is expected that winters will become much drier which will effect natural growing season as there will be less useful rain events. With drier winters frost is also expected to become more frequent too.

I'm lucky that my garden has moisture retentive soil. I still need to keep an eye on moisture levels as capillary forces within the soil can prevent the plants from being able to make use of the the moisture during dry weather. I like to make use of compost amd manures to improve the soil.

I do have one Oraniopsis it is currently a sprout still to push out it's first true leaf I'm really looking forward to watching it grow.

[Peter Timmermans]

Thanks Andrew and Pip. I'm very pleased with them.

[Pip]

I just happened to take my 9yr old to vist the South Australian Museum today. While there I snapped a few pics of the native cycads that boarder one side of the Museum lawn on the other side are the two last remaining Phoenix dactylifera form what I believe was the original planting well over 100 years ago.

[Mandrew968]

Thanks for the Macrozamia pics!

[Pip]

Thanks for the Macrozamia pics!

No worries. Happy accident really I wasn't expecting to be there. They were planted about 2005/2006 when the cultural precinct North Terrace was renewed. They replaced a few old Phoenix dactylifera and a huge rectangular 1950's modernist fountian that people would swim in during hot weather.

[Josh-O]

Pip, have you tried T. Princeps?

[Pip]

Pip, have you tried T. Princeps?

No I haven't, again I'd have to grow it from seed. For the purpose of this particular planting only fortunei was going to do as I wanted the palms to match but be growing at different heights.

[DoomsDave]

Try as many Trachies as you can. Princeps is tempermental, the others are relatively easy.

[Pip]

Try as many Trachies as you can. Princeps is tempermental, the others are relatively easy.

Thanks Dave. I'll keep that in mind if I choose to grow more Trachycarpus. I'm now back at university doing an intesive class so now have less time to devote to my garden.

[Pip]

Thought it was time for an update two months shy of a year since adding the second Trachycarpus fortunei (it is behind the Cycas revoluta). The Brugmansia are a few weeks from next flush of flowers.

[Yunder Wækraus]

Looking good!

[Pal Meir]

Hello Pip, according to (German) Wikipedia you are living in "The dryest city in the dryest state of the dryest country of the dryest continent of the world."  My recommendation for your missing palm would be Chamaerops humilis (cerifera or arborescens). But I don’t know if you can get an enough old plant which has already a visible trunk.

[pigafetta]

Missing palm...Brahea (silver)? Smaller type?

For some reason I have no why any Brahea sp. are rarely available in the local nurseries. It is one I'd either have to grow from seed or dig up one of the many seedlings growing under the mature specimens in the Waite Arboretum.

You can get them sent over bare rooted from W.A.  http://www.premierpalms.com/#

They have B. armarta and Super silvers.