Home Palm Atrium...Help me pick Palms

[pg6922]

A good friend of mine who happens to be my boss has asked me to stock his atrium with exotic cool palms, etc.

Here are the facts:

Money no object...well, you get the idea

Located in Fort Myers Fl, on the Caloosahatchee River

9ft x 12ft inside dimensions

Height 20ft open to the outside...no screen

Has power, drain and water inside atrium

Full sliders on 2 sides

Sand and river rock on top, then sandy Florida soil.

A water feature would be nice also.

I have a few ideas like a lipstick palm, Vestie, V. Splendita

This is not a large area and could fill up fast in no time.

He wants something really tall to fill the top space and then of course understory.

Is bamboo out of the question?

Perfect specimens a must.

Here is what I am working with...and man is is gonna be fun.

All of your ideas would be greatly appreciated.

PG

[DoomsDave]

Your initial thoughts were mine as well. You want something that's going to look great all the time.

Hmm.

Many thoughts . . . . Areca catechu (though not as dramatic as A. vestiara); Areca concina (spelling); Dypsis lutescens (common, but well with good reason); Archontophoenix purpurea; Licualas galore, including elegans, ramsyi, many many more; Chambeyronea, particular a "watermelon" type; any of the smaller Rhapis species; Ptychosperma elegans.

Hmm. I'm sure others will come up with good ideas . . . .

Whatever you decide to use, show it to us . . . . !

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

A good friend of mine who happens to be my boss has asked me to stock his atrium with exotic cool palms, etc.

Here are the facts:

Money no object...well, you get the idea

Located in Fort Myers Fl, on the Caloosahatchee River

9ft x 12ft inside dimensions

Height 20ft open to the outside...no screen

Has power, drain and water inside atrium

Full sliders on 2 sides

Sand and river rock on top, then sandy Florida soil.

A water feature would be nice also.

I have a few ideas like a lipstick palm, Vestie, V. Splendita

This is not a large area and could fill up fast in no time.

He wants something really tall to fill the top space and then of course understory.

Is bamboo out of the question?

Perfect specimens a must.

Here is what I am working with...and man is is gonna be fun.

All of your ideas would be greatly appreciated.

PG

As Dave stated any Licualas like elegans, peltata or the ubiquitous L. grandis; and a Pinanga like a coronata variety? It looks like more light than full sun, no? I wouldn't do bamboo except in an oriental planter (but that's a personal choice.) I also like Australian tree fern, and of course, sagos.

Paul

[pg6922]

Correct, mostly lots of light and the only full sun would be for the few months of the year when the sun is directly overhead and crosses that 12ft opening.

I am in the fact gathering stage, like what the temp is in the atrium compared to outside and how good the drainage of the soil is.

Licualas are on the list as well as Panangas. He has expressed the desire for plant height above into the second level window. I am more concerned about which 16ft+ palm specimens than the understory. And, not to over plant so as to be just a big massive " cant see through the other side" jungle in a few years. I think less will be more in this small space.

I probably need a palm Broker for most of what I am looking for. Since the size and spacing has to be right, to get the best effect.

I do not have any experience planting in an Atrium, besides the obvious of drainage and light. Are there any unforeseen palm longevity problems with this type of Atrium?

PG

[phatmiata]

Cyrtostachys renda!!!!!!!! Fill it up!! It would look killer!! Then add some small low lush tropicals as a filler!!

[osideterry]

A 10-12ft Ptychosperma elegans crown would look good in the upper window. I think the skinniest trunked palms are mandatory in that space for future growth.

[BobSDCA]

A 10-12ft Ptychosperma elegans crown would look good in the upper window. I think the skinniest trunked palms are mandatory in that space for future growth.

I tend to agree with the thin trunked species like Ptychosperma and perhaps a Veitchia arecina. These tend to do well in some large indoor/outdoor situations with good light. At the same time these can also handle a fair amount of full sun. Just a caution, that you may want to obtain specimens that have been grown outdoors and hardened off to sun. The first time that summer sun rolls around and comes into contact with that atrium, anything that hasn't been hardened off will fry! Once you get the canopy palms set, then you can worry about the wonderful understory palms like Licuala and Cyrototachys. Even though Ptychosperma and Veitchia are more common in Florida, they may make a better choice for mostly shady area that gets occasional summer sun. A good hardy canopy will make a great backdrop for the more tropical specimens down below that they can help protect! Just my two cents on top of some really good ideas above!

Good Luck!

Bob

[rockos82]

If it is located in Ft. meyers i recommend swinging by seabreeze palms on macgregor i think... they have ample knowledge and stock to deck it out with all sorts of rare sweet lookin palms......

[pg6922]

If it is located in Ft. meyers i recommend swinging by seabreeze palms on macgregor i think... they have ample knowledge and stock to deck it out with all sorts of rare sweet lookin palms......

Justin and Derek have given me great service and helped me get started into palms. As soon as I get a game plan down, they are one of my first phone calls. Their extensive collection will save me time and money.

[amazon exotics]

Thanks Rock, I was gonna tell Patrick the same thing but it looks like he already thought about it. Hope to see him soon!

[Don Little]

That is one killer area to be able to have, especially in south Florida if thats where I understand it to be. C renda in one corner, A vestiaria (red crownshaft in another corner Licuala sumawongii in the center with some nice colorful complimentary plants like some ti plants, bromeliads, orchids, some big leafy green plants etc. and possibly some smaller palms interspersed thru the area would look great IMO. A small natural rock water feature of some kind would top it off. I only wish I had something like that in my house to work with (and the ability to grow the C renda and A vestiaria would be nice too). Keep us informed on what you decide to do, I'm sure it will be great.

Don

[DoomsDave]

pg6922:

I get a sense your guy wants a more understated "shibui" effect, i.e., perhaps a more sculptural look.

How about three P. elegans of different heights? They're the perfect size for that atrium, and they'll take the sun, though I'd be concerned about hardening off. They have very pretty trunks and they won't be "loud" like C. renda, and they won't branch and fill up the atrium.

Just a thought. They use P. elegans a lot in malls where they also grow well in low light. They'll take full sun, here, too.

[osideterry]

List based on everyone's input:

Ptychopserma elegans or Veitchia

Areca vestiaria

Pinanga coronata

Cyrtostachys renda (keep thinned)

Licuala grandis or peltata sumowongii, or Licuala mapu (!)

Possible additions:

Chamaedorea metallica

More small fan palms? (Not something I know much about)

No Bamboo at all... it would just take over

[pg6922]

pg6922:

I get a sense your guy wants a more understated "shibui" effect, i.e., perhaps a more sculptural look.

How about three P. elegans of different heights? They're the perfect size for that atrium, and they'll take the sun, though I'd be concerned about hardening off. They have very pretty trunks and they won't be "loud" like C. renda, and they won't branch and fill up the atrium.

Just a thought. They use P. elegans a lot in malls where they also grow well in low light. They'll take full sun, here, too.

Dave, That is exactly what I was thinking, 3 P.Elegans at different heights. I think That is where I will start, get those in and build from there. Once those are in place, it will be easier to see how the space evolves. I will keep yall posted as the project progresses. Thanks so much for the feedback...very helpful.

PG

[DoomsDave]

PG:

Glas to be of service!

Hmm. Here's a thought for the understory . . . . .

A mass planting of Chamadorea turckeheimii (spelling?) aka "the potato chip palm" -- they are really adorable, and refined-looking, when well-grown. I hear they like the high humidity down there, and they should thrive if the P. elegans give full shade.

Or, some joeys!

Oh, the possibilities are endless . . . . .

[Gbarce]

For the smaller understory palms:

Licualas: Mapu,Orbicualaris and Cordata (these are on the smaller side)

Iguanuras: Elegans

Small Pinangas: Vietchii, Aristata, Macualata

Chamaedoreas: Tenerrima and Teuckerheimii (did I spell that right)

For height and color I always like the combination of Adonidia Merillii (yellow leaves) and Chrystostachys Rendra (red crown shaft and green leaves). You can also throw in a Verschaffeltia Splendida for the awesome leaves and and a bit of orange color-- the stilt roots will also add interest

[SunnyFl]

I think D. saintlucei would be perfect in that setting. Not too big, but it's a beauty. It's slender and would work well with the P. elegans (a great choice, esp. varying heights) and with the clustering rendas. And Adonidia is terrific anywhere.

How do you all think D. albofarinosa would do? It clusters, but doesn't take up as much space as lutescens. And it has gorgeous fronds and a white crownshaft.

[Walter John]

You must have a Pelagadoxa henryana and Areca hutchinsoniana and Areca guppyana.

[SunnyFl]

You must have a Pelagadoxa henryana and Areca hutchinsoniana and Areca guppyana.

Yes - definitely guppyana! Personal favorite of the arecas. It's a classic.