Some Photos of My Yard

[Justin P]

I do not post often, but I view this site daily. I always enjoy seeing photos of people's yards and gardens. I really like the Caribbean basin palms, mainly Coccothrinax and Copernicia. Thrinax and the rest are great as well.

I thought I would share some photos of my yard in case anyone is interested in what can grow in Port St. Lucie, FL. I know palms pretty well, especially when speaking to non-palm people or general landscapers, but I know nothing compared to the majority of you all. So, if you could kindly impart your knowledge, it is always appreciated.

Here is a small general overview of my backyard. My parents yard and mine are back to back, so all together it is a half acre. I took these photos with my phone so please pardon the funny angles and poor quality.

[Justin P]

[Justin P]

[Justin P]

[Justin P]

Here is a quick question - Below is one of five Triangles I have. Four of the five are just like this and have stiff strong fronds.

[Justin P]

This Triangle has very droopy leaves in comparison. It seems healthy and is growing at the same rate as the previous one. It is about 10' away from the previous Triangle.

[Justin P]

I made a thread about these beauties earlier:

[Justin P]

Bottle Palm, Bucaneer, Christmas and a Jacaranda tree. I planted the tree on an angle, I am looking forward to it bulking up and getting taller.

[Justin P]

I planted this Bottle Palm at the same time. Look at the size difference! Also, please note this palm (for the first time, do not know why) has a complete spear up but not open and a second spear halfway up. Any idea why?

[Justin P]

On to the good stuff. I was told this was a Coccothrinax barbadensis when I bought it from a private grower about a year and a half ago. I found a lady moving from Ft. Lauderdale to N.C. who had to liquidate her palms. That is where the majority of my Coccothrinaxs and Copernicias came from.

[Justin P]

Coccothrinax altas?

[Justin P]

I transplanted this Tab from a small bush about a year ago. You can practically watch these grow! I don't even fertilize.

[Justin P]

I have a feeling my heart is about to break. On the left are two Thrinax radiatas - also very fast for me. They have easily doubled in the last year and I am anticipating them doing the same, if not more, next year. To the right, though, is what I thought was a Coccothrinax borhidiana until recently. C. borhidiana is one of my favorite palms. Unfortunately, this has been showing characterstics of Copernicia macroglossa and I am now convinced it is. Not that C. macroglossa is a bad palm - hardly. It is one of my favorites as well. I just really had my heart set on growing a borhidiana. Is Pious Palms selling his big one this weekend?

Edited September 25, 2009 by Justin P

[Justin P]

Close-up of the macroglossa.

[Justin P]

My larger macroglossa.

[Justin P]

Close-up of the Thrinax radiatas.

[Justin P]

Here is a sickly Carpentaria that I brought in big and sick... Couldn't see it go to waste. In the background is a Columbian Lignum Vitae. I have a Florida native as well.

[Justin P]

[Justin P]

Pindo from 7 gallon in 3.5 years.

[Justin P]

Can you identify this Copernicia hybrid? I purchased it from Searle Brothers last year.

[Justin P]

These Foxtails were little yellow sticks about 3.5 years ago. I had the opportunity to rescue them. I don't fertilize these either.

[Justin P]

[Justin P]

[Justin P]

I saved these from the trash pile as well. They were unhealthy when I planted them and I foolishly put them in full sun. They are finally catching four years later.

[Justin P]

There were three Coconuts here, I lost one for some reason. I will have to replace it. These were grown from 7 gallon in two years.

[Justin P]

Big Gumbo and a couple Kings. They are really starting to show off their color.

[Justin P]

The jungle area.

[Justin P]

More natives - I try to use natives whenever I can. Besides for the obvious benefits, I happen to really like them.

[Justin P]

Is this a true species? I sure hope it is, but is that silver a trait of the ture species? Don't really care for hybrids. Planted from a very expensive 3 gallon about four years ago.

[Justin P]

Here is another I got from another source.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Justin P

[Justin P]

My front yard. Is this Coccothrinax also a hybrid? There is a small Licuala spinosa right before the Veitchiia. That is Confederate Jasmine on the wall. I covered all of the walls out front with it. I cut it back hard a few weeks ago so it looks a little thin.

[Justin P]

Can you help identify this Coccothrinax? Looks like a hybrid.

[Justin P]

Well that is it for now. I appreciate feedback on the questions, especially regarding the sick palms. Thank you!

[edric]

Beautiful garden Justin, Ed

[Alicehunter2000]

Very nice.........I sure wish I could grow bottle palms in the ground up here. It is interesting that you are such a big fan of palmate palms.

[Gileno Machado]

Great garden, Justin, very well maintained and organized...

I guess we're growing several species in common too...some of yours are bigger than mine here so it's nice to see what they'll look like in the future... By the way, isn't Port St Lucie the town where Robert Riffle had his garden? It would be great to see pictures of his beloved Kerriodoxas and Chamaedorea cataractarum big clumps sometime again...

[Palm Painter]

Justin,

Your love of palms is obvious! Don't stop!

Palm Painter (Henry)

[Mark Heath]

There were three Coconuts here, I lost one for some reason. I will have to replace it. These were grown from 7 gallon in two years.

Justin,

Your place looks great! I agree, you need to replace the dead Cocos. The grouping of three was nice. Looks like you fared well w/ last winters cold blast.

Your sickly group looks like they need some fertilizer and tlc. But i'm sure you have done that allready.

Again, sweet garden!

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Hi Justin

Garden looks great mate , good range of palms well suited to your climate , ~ why not try Bismarckia noblis

[Justin P]

Hi Justin

Garden looks great mate , good range of palms well suited to your climate , ~ why not try Bismarckia noblis

Thanks for the kind words. I do have one Bismarck, planted from a 3 gallon about 5 years ago. There are a couple shots above. It has really been speeding up lately, now that it has some trunk.