a little blank canvas

[Miccles]

Hi all,

Finally cleared the one last piece of the back yard, which I estimate had been neglected for around 30 years.(Well before my time here...)

It's a narrow strip of earth, situated between my shed and the side fence.

it's roughly 1150mm wide (3 1/2 feet) x 12m long (40 foot by my best guess at US measurements).

My plan is to put 3 "slimline" water tanks (one after the other) at the far end, which will leave me with 6 metres.

Sun: this photo is taken from the north (looking south). The sun therefore comes over from left to right, and with the shed and fence here, the amount of direct sunlight is limited. Maybe 2 hrs of direct sunlight... maybe. Also quite sheltered from wind of course. Partially shaded by the neighbors gum tree (as shown).

I am thinking of keeping some access down to the tanks via the right hand side (along the fence, and will also allow me to keep any grass/weeds under control from the neighbors side.

Zone: Melbourne, Australia is a temperate "cool" z10a....with periods of prolonged cool in winter (4C min at night...17C max during day), and hot, dry summers (17C at night..typically 30-40C during day).

So.....what to plant ???

Please write your suggestion down on the piece of paper provided, and place into the container as it's passed around the room...

Thanks - I'd love to use someone's idea !!!! (And this little strip of garden WILL be signposted and named after the best idea !!)

So - give it your best...whatcha got ?

Regards

Michael

[peachy]

Plant Lemurophoenix halleuxii and call it Death Row.

Peachy

[Miccles]

Plant Lemurophoenix halleuxii and call it Death Row.

Peachy

Thanks Peachy....

Next......

[peachy]

Okay...Licuala mapu would fit there well then it would be a Highway to Heaven

Peachy

[Miccles]

Okay...Licuala mapu would fit there well then it would be a Highway to Heaven

Peachy

Shall I start writing out the sign...."Peachy's patch" now ?????

[peachy]

Only if you like my next idea better. Plant marijuana and call it High St

Peachy

[Miccles]

Can somebody help me....... please

[ariscott]

Do they have to be palms??

Regards, Ari

[Miccles]

Do they have to be palms??

Regards, Ari

Not exclusively Ari.

[Rafael]

Dyctiosperma album var. conjugatum (speak to Wal)

[Tyrone]

Michael, I'd put some light shadecloth across it and make it a shadehouse, then load it up with Chamaedoreas, like C tenella, C adenscendens etc.

I don't think D album var conjugatum would be suitable for such a small space.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Rafael]

If that space has 115 cm large, d. album would be ok

Edited May 26, 2010 by rafael

[peachy]

A few Parajubea chiliensis would be better, I agree Tyrone.

Peachy

[Tyrone]

Half of it will be some sort of pathway. You can't fit too much around it. If Ptychosperma elegans grew in Melbourne you could plant a few down there and they'd become a great canopy with no need for shadecloth and then plant Chamies underneath with a few bromeliads etc.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Rafael]

This place is absolutely sheltered, there is no need of shadehouse, shadecloth or trees canopys.

Interesting: a small space but a wonderful place...

[Kailua_Krish]

Only if you like my next idea better. Plant marijuana and call it High St

Peachy

Peachy,

I just woke up when I was reading this and already you had me on the floor laughing, thanks for the morning boost!

-Krishna

[peachy]

Its where Miccles used to let me keep Granny if her pills didnt work quickly enough.

Peachy

[Daryl]

I'd hang a shadecloth awning off the house wall, keeping it all higher than the fence. Then I'd lay a stencilled concrete path that snakes back to the tanks. On either side I'd plant all of the small dainty Chamaedoreas I could find, with a couple of teeny ponds and 20mm river pebble mulch over everything. Throw in a brom or 3 for colour and some feature rocks. Hide the fence with bamboo poles. I'm sure Wal could harvest some for you, the way his bamboo grows!

Daryl

[peachy]

Oooh Miccles, that sounds very bright and pretty.

Peachy

Edited May 26, 2010 by peachy

[Gbarce]

THis took a wrong turn somewhere -- but it's a very funny wrong turn.

Since this is a spot that you will most likely forget about--why not try some low maintenance plants like bromeliads, and tillandsias ( the smaller ones and the non thorny ones). You'd only need to water them once in a while. Tou could nail a wire mesh on the top half of the wall of your house-- the area that getas all the light and just hang individual plants on the mesh.

Something like this:

Another cool thing to hang would be Staghorn ferns (Platyceriums) I've been neglecting mine but they do ok. They'd be less drought tolerant than the bromeliads though.

THen you can just plant understory palms like the smaller licualas, Iguanuras, Calyptrocalyx and Chamaedoreas.

[Xenon]

What about Ravenea glacua,Chamerops humillis var. cerifera, a few Cocothrinax,Copernicia,Bismarkia,Hyphaene,Phoenix and Nannorrhops ritchiana mixed in with agaves, aloes, and some of the bluer cycads?

-Jonathan

Edited May 26, 2010 by Xenon

[ariscott]

Hhmm... if you plant Chamaedoreas against the fence, I wonder whether you need shadecloth at all... I wouldn't plant anything too big as you might not be able to walk past it until it is trunking. That arenga hookerii will be great there too... I think. I wouldn't put concrete, as it will reduce your planting space. I would just put stepping stones for path. What else grows in Melbourne???

Regards, Ari

[Tyrone]

This place is absolutely sheltered, there is no need of shadehouse, shadecloth or trees canopys.

Interesting: a small space but a wonderful place...

Full summer sun will get into it and burn everything to a cinder. Remember the photo was taken from the north, the way the sun sees it at noon in winter (well not quite - Melbourne isn't THAT far south). In summer it would look at it a lot higher, so the fence provides no real protection from the blazing sun when you need it the most. It is very wind protected though.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Rafael]

This place is absolutely sheltered, there is no need of shadehouse, shadecloth or trees canopys.

Interesting: a small space but a wonderful place...

Full summer sun will get into it and burn everything to a cinder. Remember the photo was taken from the north, the way the sun sees it at noon in winter (well not quite - Melbourne isn't THAT far south). In summer it would look at it a lot higher, so the fence provides no real protection from the blazing sun when you need it the most. It is very wind protected though.

Best regards

Tyrone

Ok then.

Regards.

Edited May 27, 2010 by rafael

[Tyrone]

This place is absolutely sheltered, there is no need of shadehouse, shadecloth or trees canopys.

Interesting: a small space but a wonderful place...

Full summer sun will get into it and burn everything to a cinder. Remember the photo was taken from the north, the way the sun sees it at noon in winter (well not quite - Melbourne isn't THAT far south). In summer it would look at it a lot higher, so the fence provides no real protection from the blazing sun when you need it the most. It is very wind protected though.

Best regards

Tyrone

Ok then.

Regards.

I reread what I wrote there. It could have come across harshly. Sorry Rafael. I didn't mean it to come across harshly.

Best regards

Tyrone

[ariscott]

I guess I didn't read it properly... in term of the sun orientation... Hhhmm, so what else grows in Melbourne??

Regards, Ari

[Tyrone]

Melbourne would be a tricky place to grow palms, as 9 months of the year you could grow anything in full sun, then bang 40C heat and those pristine plants that survived winter get hammered. It sort of is similar here in Perth, but I've had shade grown stuff here burnt in August, so you kind off get the feeling for what is going to handle what, early on.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Miccles]

Hey thanks everyone for your suggestions ! I agree it has potential for Chamaedoreas, but would need some strong shade-cloth put up...

Any other ideas ???

Regards

Michael.

[Miccles]

Melbourne would be a tricky place to grow palms, as 9 months of the year you could grow anything in full sun, then bang 40C heat and those pristine plants that survived winter get hammered. It sort of is similar here in Perth, but I've had shade grown stuff here burnt in August, so you kind off get the feeling for what is going to handle what, early on.

Best regards

Tyrone

Exactly... a lot of the long term survivors need to acclimatise. It's funny to compare them to the same palm grown in a subtropical environment..... our palms tend to be more thick and stumpy, compared to long & stretched.

(Oh yeah - enjoy the rain tonight...Perth is expecting some great falls)

[Tyrone]

The rain is getting lighter now. We've had a day of heavy rain then sun, then more rain then sun. The coconut was sitting at 35C when the sun was out. Clear tonight I think with the odd cloud about. Typical winter weather.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Jason Baker Portugal]

I can´t wait to see the sign that says "You are now entering Peachys Patch". I would suggest howeas or Archonto cunn. because of the thin trunks and low maintenence. Maybe some euterpe? I would also put a slendering path of stones from the front to back and plant randomly looking as though this is the part of your property where nature has taken over. You really don´t have much room for medium sized plants as they would fill in the whole width.

Jason

Edited May 27, 2010 by Jason Baker Portugal

[Jonathan]

Michael,

whatever you do end up planting there, I would put it mostly along the fence side, not the shed side.

That way the palms grow up und can utilise some of your neighbours air space, and not rub all over the shed.

Put the path or stepping stones along the shed side - or just mulch it heavily and dont bother with a path - like a forest floor.

I think Euterpe edulis would look nice poking up over the fence - I dont know how they would go once exposed to the westerlies though.....I seem to remember your place being quite close to the bay.

Some Dypsis species the size of baronii, but single or sparse clumping would be good - dont know much about Dypsis though.

Howeas would be ideal - but a bit common round your way!

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Rafael]

This place is absolutely sheltered, there is no need of shadehouse, shadecloth or trees canopys.

Interesting: a small space but a wonderful place...

Full summer sun will get into it and burn everything to a cinder. Remember the photo was taken from the north, the way the sun sees it at noon in winter (well not quite - Melbourne isn't THAT far south). In summer it would look at it a lot higher, so the fence provides no real protection from the blazing sun when you need it the most. It is very wind protected though.

Best regards

Tyrone

Ok then.

Regards.

I reread what I wrote there. It could have come across harshly. Sorry Rafael. I didn't mean it to come across harshly.

Best regards

Tyrone

You are welcome, Tyrone!

Best regards.

Rafael.

P.S. If that space was mine i would overcrowd it with big palms...

[Tyrone]

Michael,

whatever you do end up planting there, I would put it mostly along the fence side, not the shed side.

That way the palms grow up und can utilise some of your neighbours air space, and not rub all over the shed.

Put the path or stepping stones along the shed side - or just mulch it heavily and dont bother with a path - like a forest floor.

I think Euterpe edulis would look nice poking up over the fence - I dont know how they would go once exposed to the westerlies though.....I seem to remember your place being quite close to the bay.

Some Dypsis species the size of baronii, but single or sparse clumping would be good - dont know much about Dypsis though.

Howeas would be ideal - but a bit common round your way!

Cheers,

Jonathan

Jonathan, you genius. Dypsis onilahensis will handle that area really well. Also D albofarinosa. Thin trunked, clumping, and cold and sun tolerant. It would look awesome. They would serve the same sort of purpose as the more common golden cane up north, but without the winter damage you'd expect in Melbourne.

I also would put the path along the shed, maybe mulch it like you said, maybe with the odd feature stepping stone, and you could make it meander slightly so you have to push past some foliage. This would create some shadows for delicate stuff on the southern side although it will also block some winter sun.

Small spaces can be so much fun.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Miccles]

Michael,

whatever you do end up planting there, I would put it mostly along the fence side, not the shed side.

That way the palms grow up und can utilise some of your neighbours air space, and not rub all over the shed.

Put the path or stepping stones along the shed side - or just mulch it heavily and dont bother with a path - like a forest floor.

I think Euterpe edulis would look nice poking up over the fence - I dont know how they would go once exposed to the westerlies though.....I seem to remember your place being quite close to the bay.

Some Dypsis species the size of baronii, but single or sparse clumping would be good - dont know much about Dypsis though.

Howeas would be ideal - but a bit common round your way!

Cheers,

Jonathan

Jonathan, you genius. Dypsis onilahensis will handle that area really well. Also D albofarinosa. Thin trunked, clumping, and cold and sun tolerant. It would look awesome. They would serve the same sort of purpose as the more common golden cane up north, but without the winter damage you'd expect in Melbourne.

I also would put the path along the shed, maybe mulch it like you said, maybe with the odd feature stepping stone, and you could make it meander slightly so you have to push past some foliage. This would create some shadows for delicate stuff on the southern side although it will also block some winter sun.

Small spaces can be so much fun.

Best regards

Tyrone

Great suggestions guys...... Hey Tyrone, what about some of the dypsis species you sent over to me ? D.fibrosa etc ?

Regards

Michael

[hanapalms]

Dypsis is the perfect kind of palm if you're planning to name the garden after Peachy. But they will have to be labeled. How about a rivularis for color?

[ariscott]

Great suggestions guys...... Hey Tyrone, what about some of the dypsis species you sent over to me ? D.fibrosa etc ?

Regards

Michael

D. fibrosa would be perfect at my place... Come on, hand it over!!

Regards, Ari

[peachy]

Dypsis is the perfect kind of palm if you're planning to name the garden after Peachy. But they will have to be labeled. How about a rivularis for color?

[richnorm]

Love those feature walls of broms etc. A mural to give the allusion of space might help but done well or it would look tacky, or maybe some outdoor mirrors? Maybe even cut a couple of windows in the shed to see through? Whatever you do in a space like that it's going to be easy. Dypsis baronii var kindreo would be good in a tight space and you might get away with one big palm at the end such as Clinostigma savoryanum. Do you have a shade/green house? This would be a great place to tuck one away.

cheers

Richard

[Tyrone]

Michael,

whatever you do end up planting there, I would put it mostly along the fence side, not the shed side.

That way the palms grow up und can utilise some of your neighbours air space, and not rub all over the shed.

Put the path or stepping stones along the shed side - or just mulch it heavily and dont bother with a path - like a forest floor.

I think Euterpe edulis would look nice poking up over the fence - I dont know how they would go once exposed to the westerlies though.....I seem to remember your place being quite close to the bay.

Some Dypsis species the size of baronii, but single or sparse clumping would be good - dont know much about Dypsis though.

Howeas would be ideal - but a bit common round your way!

Cheers,

Jonathan

Jonathan, you genius. Dypsis onilahensis will handle that area really well. Also D albofarinosa. Thin trunked, clumping, and cold and sun tolerant. It would look awesome. They would serve the same sort of purpose as the more common golden cane up north, but without the winter damage you'd expect in Melbourne.

I also would put the path along the shed, maybe mulch it like you said, maybe with the odd feature stepping stone, and you could make it meander slightly so you have to push past some foliage. This would create some shadows for delicate stuff on the southern side although it will also block some winter sun.

Small spaces can be so much fun.

Best regards

Tyrone

Great suggestions guys...... Hey Tyrone, what about some of the dypsis species you sent over to me ? D.fibrosa etc ?

Regards

Michael

D fibrosa would probably do OK as well as D crinita, especially if you have a little frogpond in there. Those Vonitra Dypsis look best around water. Did you get any D onilahensis or albofarinosa from me last time? What do you think of those species. They're sparse clumpers, but will handle cold really well. D rivularis unfortunately would be too tropical for you I think. They need warm/hot shade if you know what I mean. They're slow here. I'll be 90 before they seed. D lanceolata would do OK too I think. All of the above would need some sort of summer shade at least in the beginning. They'd take winter spring sun fine though.

Best regards

Tyrone