Accenting your palms

[coco305]

I was wondering what other plants you have in your garden to accent your palms. 

I am thinking of having bird of paradise and white bird of paradise. as well as gardenia, and some orange trees. 

 

what are the best plants to grow underneath palms?  

[KDubU]

There are a lot of tropical “companion” plants for palms. If you want that look, many have Bromeliads, Crontons, Ti’s, BoP’s (you mention), Agave’s, Cyad’s, Bamboo, Heliconia’s are just some. One also has to consider your zone of course. 

[Kim]

Your location will define the limits of what you can use. Can you grow orchids outdoors? For me they are a favorite for mounting on textured palm trunks at about eye level for some eye candy. Lately I have a developing addiction to Vireya, tropical rhododendrons.  Vreisea bromeliads are lovely accents for their patterned foliage, and hibiscus are fine for taller accents. Certain gingers are quite lovely; I really like a tall purple flowering one that has variegated foliage. It appeared in the garden on its own, so I hope it doesn't become a management problem. Ti plants are so easy, and come in so many color variations.

Examples below -- orchid, ti plant, bromeliads along a path, hibiscus, vireya

[Reeverse]

Crotons and Cordyline for me. 

[Tracy]

20 hours ago, coco305 said:

what are the best plants to grow underneath palms?  

 

9 hours ago, KDubU said:

One also has to consider your zone of course. 

 

7 hours ago, Kim said:

Your location will define the limits of what you can use.

It really comes down to where you are located as other posters have already mentioned.  We can all share our favorite companion plants, but without knowing where you are located, we may be suggesting some poor options for your climate.  Is the 305 in your name an area code?  If so, you may want to elaborate a little more as there can be micro-climates that will make some options better than others.  Plenty of people on this forum from in and around the 305 area code if my guess is right that will be happy to elaborate if that is where you are.

Here in Southern California, I have gone in a very different direction with plenty of cycads, aloes, plumeria, some species of bromeliads and orchids.  What works for me here wouldn't work in many other places just as what works around Miami would probably struggle here.  One other comment is which palms are you accompanying, as that may determine nice contrasting shapes as well as colors.  If you have predominantly feather leafed palms, adding some big leafed plants like Ficus dammaropsis or aroid plants would be nice contrasts.

[Briank]

Bromeliads.   Plumerias.  agaves.   Cordylines I went With as they all very colorful and use very very little water!!!  Can’t beat that right ? 
 

A lot of people use Cycads as well.  I am a few.   Again a low water option to plant around palms.  
 

I love Elephant ears but they need water and don’t grow as well in So cal as they do High Humidity areas.