What to plant

[ellidro]

I'm finally getting some stuff planted on my hill but could use some advice. Here are a few pics of where I want to plant something. Its basically in full sun and I was hoping to get something a little taller to get a layered look. Here's a few pics of the spot.

Ficus dammoropsis and Ravenea glauca on the left with Hyophorbe indica on the right

Left same Hyophorbe with a Dypsis onilahensis then the spot up top with a Pritchardia munroi on the right

Same Onilahensis on the left with the Pritchardia up top and a Archontophoenix Maxima and a slick Willy/Bef on the bottom right

Overall Pic

[Dypsisdean]

Nick,

Do you have any Syagrus botryophora? I was just checking mine out a few days ago, and was amazed at how fast they had shot up. It's a nice lacy perfectly sized palm for your garden. Because of their small trunks and spread, a tight little grouping would even be possible.

[ellidro]

Here's a few things I had in mind

Ravenea Sp. monompano

Kentiopsis olivoformis

Dypsis madagascarensis

Or Syagrus Botryophora Its about 12ft tall (don't have a pic)

Or any other suggetsion would be appreciated

[ellidro]

wow dean as I was typing you gave one of options

[MattyB]

S. botryophora is a great idea, especially a tight grouping of 3 only spaced a max of 18" apart. Get a smaller sized one though because the big ones from Home Depot just look like dookie compared to one that's just started to go pinnate and allowed to grow roots before trunking. You get that elongated crown that way.

Other ideas:

Arenga pinnata (start with as big as you can find)

Dictyosperma album rubrum (Jungle Music has a 15 gallon on the south side out baking in full sun. If you don't get it I'm gonna)

Roystonea borinquena

Hyophorbe vershafeltii

Tahina spectabilis

Ceroxylon echinulatum

[joe_OC]

Nick - Are you still putting palms in the ground now? I was debating about it, and thought that it might be too late?

[MattyB]

Joe, I plant all year unless it's a marginal palm, then I wait for warm spring.

Nick,

The Kentiopsis or D. madagascarensis would work as a fast plant too. Not sure on the growth rate of the Ravenea.

[osideterry]

I vote Dypsis madgascariensis there. I'm sucker for instant gratification, and that would fit in nicely now and down the road.

[mnorell]

How about a Wallichia disticha centered along the back fence? That would be a great distichous thing to look up to against the sky. You might try some other Himalayan creatures since that Encinitas climate provides a perfect environment with the cool, even temps.

Also may I suggest that the Ficus and the Hyophorbe need to move in opposite directions. If you've ever seen a big old Dammaropsis in SoCal, you will know that it's a huge, spreading thing and will quickly overwhelm that palm. Where you have the Hyophorbe now you could put something unusual and low, like an Allagoptera leucocalyx, maybe a Guihaia or a staggered grove of Licuala peltata sumawongii? I notice you're really heavy on the pinnate material, some well-placed palmate species (Kerriodoxa elegans, Livistona jenkinsiana, or some other Pritchardias) would make for some nice contrast that would bring out the different pinnate beauties you have there.

For quick-maturing types while you wait on the others, and aside from S. botryophora or your H. indica, I assume a Foxy Lady and/or Dypsis pembana would be things to consider.

I agree with Matt in re fall planting. Your soil is at its warmest right now. In any event, the earth will be warmer 'round the roots than any container-bound plant's roots could hope for on a cold winter night.

[ellidro]

S. botryophora is a great idea, especially a tight grouping of 3 only spaced a max of 18" apart. Get a smaller sized one though because the big ones from Home Depot just look like dookie compared to one that's just started to go pinnate and allowed to grow roots before trunking. You get that elongated crown that way.

Other ideas:

Arenga pinnata (start with as big as you can find)

Dictyosperma album rubrum (Jungle Music has a 15 gallon on the south side out baking in full sun. If you don't get it I'm gonna)

Roystonea borinquena

Hyophorbe vershafeltii

Tahina spectabilis

Ceroxylon echinulatum

Matty I thought the same thing about the home depot botryophora's until I saw my friend and neighbors the other day. Bags botryophora looked a little hammered for a while now its taking on the classic look and is beautiful. Bags show us a pic.

[ellidro]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Joe I plant pretty much all year. I planted about 10 Kentias in January two weeks before the freeze in 07 and none skipped a beat. That being said I wouldn't plant a pinanga or licuala anytime after august or september just to get it established before it gets cold.

[Dypsisdean]

I like Matty's idea of a "staggered" height S. botryophora grouping. But I did teach him everything he knows.

[paulgila]

I'm finally getting some stuff planted on my hill but could use some advice. Here are a few pics of where I want to plant something. Its basically in full sun and I was hoping to get something a little taller to get a layered look. Here's a few pics of the spot.

Ficus dammoropsis and Ravenea glauca on the left with Hyophorbe indica on the right

Left same Hyophorbe with a Dypsis onilahensis then the spot up top with a Pritchardia munroi on the right

Same Onilahensis on the left with the Pritchardia up top and a Archontophoenix Maxima and a slick Willy/Bef on the bottom right

Overall Pic

the filter yer using is making me feel like my eyes have been microwaved & bathed in liquid tungsten.

you may wanna check yer camera settings.

the plantings look good to me!

[ellidro]

I'm finally getting some stuff planted on my hill but could use some advice. Here are a few pics of where I want to plant something. Its basically in full sun and I was hoping to get something a little taller to get a layered look. Here's a few pics of the spot.

Ficus dammoropsis and Ravenea glauca on the left with Hyophorbe indica on the right

Left same Hyophorbe with a Dypsis onilahensis then the spot up top with a Pritchardia munroi on the right

Same Onilahensis on the left with the Pritchardia up top and a Archontophoenix Maxima and a slick Willy/Bef on the bottom right

Overall Pic

the filter yer using is making me feel like my eyes have been microwaved & bathed in liquid tungsten.

you may wanna check yer camera settings.

the plantings look good to me!

I use a point and shoot lumix camera that has no filters and only a few settings. all these were taken on the normal setting. Im definitely not a photographer but i think they would have been better pics if it wasn't so sunny out.

[BS Man about Palms]

Nick, I think that would be a great place for an Acanthophoenix or Acrocommia. They will get tall and the spines will be out of the way and would love your sun!

[MattyB]

I like Matty's idea of a "staggered" height S. botryophora grouping. But I did teach him everything he knows.

DeanO, are you rockin' the ganj? That was your idea. If you loose your memory I'm gonna have to reteach you everything you taught me.

[oppalm]

those pics are way cool dude. know what I mean?

[Bags]

Nick,

I think a big blue bizzy would be an amazing contrast to the lush green jungle you have back there.

Botryophora is a great option as well. mine is growing like a rocket and has put on six feet of trunk since last spring. It has oppened two leaves since this pic was taken and looks great.

[Dypsisdean]

I like Matty's idea of a "staggered" height S. botryophora grouping. But I did teach him everything he knows.

DeanO, are you rockin' the ganj? That was your idea. If you loose your memory I'm gonna have to reteach you everything you taught me.

Matty,

I was trying to boost your ego with the recognition that your suggestion of getting a smaller one/two to plant along with Nick's larger one would look great. The staggered heights would create a nice effect with this palm. But you blew your own cover.

[amazon exotics]

"Foxy Lady"

[MattyB]

I like Matty's idea of a "staggered" height S. botryophora grouping. But I did teach him everything he knows.

DeanO, are you rockin' the ganj? That was your idea. If you loose your memory I'm gonna have to reteach you everything you taught me.

Matty,

I was trying to boost your ego with the recognition that your suggestion of getting a smaller one/two to plant along with Nick's larger one would look great. The staggered heights would create a nice effect with this palm. But you blew your own cover.

My egos out of control as it is. You should know better than to try and boost it. That's like duct tapping a stick of dynamite to an atom bomb.

[Al in Kona]

It's always interesting to get differente peoples ideas like this. Sometimes suggestions come that one would never have thought about. Others will tell you what they see as a possible problem down the line as things grow bigger. In the end you make the decision and whatever you choose I'm sure will look good on that slope. Take a pic and then another one maybe a year later. Good luck with whatever goes into that hole.

[Gileno Machado]

I'd vote for a Jubaea chilensis or maybe a Caryota gigas...These were probably the two nicest looking cultivated species I've seen in California...

[LJG]

Nick, I would put a few more Archontophoenix in, right in the back against the fence. Add a Myolensis and Tuckeri for example. Just to balance the area. If not that, do what Derek said, and add a few more "Foxy Lady" palms to balance your entire back yard since you already have three planted.

Aarons ideas of blue is good. Do it with Cycads. Maybe a nice Longifolius. A few have some nice Encephalartos longifolius "Joubertina" for sale.

If you use these ideas, please send $19.95 to:

Len

Shadowridge Area

Vista, CA (Zone 10a)

[Bags]

I like it Len, but I don't think one is going to have the impact. A blue cycad garden mixed in with the palms would be stunning. With the angle on the hill they would get plenty of afternoon sun and will love the drainage. Then throw in some big rocks and some rock planters to break up the hill. Home and gardens magazine here you come. Aaron

[LJG]

Thats why I said "Do it with Cycads.". Plural.

I agree, you need to add a few boulders too Nick.

I like it Len, but I don't think one is going to have the impact. A blue cycad garden mixed in with the palms would be stunning. With the angle on the hill they would get plenty of afternoon sun and will love the drainage. Then throw in some big rocks and some rock planters to break up the hill. Home and gardens magazine here you come. Aaron

[ellidro]

I definitely plan on getting a few blue cycads. Where do I get rocks?

[epicure3]

I would go with the Foxy Lady or a Veitchia. Fast growth and tall.

[joe_OC]

Thought blue cycads needed a lot of sun & heat? Once the palms grow up, will there be enough sun for the cycads?

[Bags]

I definitely plan on getting a few blue cycads. Where do I get rocks?

Did you check out the ones on craigslist? Let me know and I can help you get them. Otherwise Southwest Boulder and Stone is where I got my rocks.

[MattyB]

The problem with boulders is that the only ones that look good are too big to pick up without a bobcat. You can only lift one about the size of a 7 gallon pot at the most. Nick, you're a strong guy I assume so maybe a bit bigger, but not much. Then, after burying half of it (if you don't it'll look stupid just sitting on the surface) you don't have much of a boulder. Just something to think about.

[BS Man about Palms]

The problem with boulders is that the only ones that look good are too big to pick up without a bobcat. You can only lift one about the size of a 7 gallon pot at the most. Nick, you're a strong guy I assume so maybe a bit bigger, but not much. Then, after burying half of it (if you don't it'll look stupid just sitting on the surface) you don't have much of a boulder. Just something to think about.

Ahem. These are bigger than 7 gal...

But I don't toss them around either.