End of winter additions to my collection

[Pip]

In my climate it is best to take advantage of the moist soil even if it means that the soil is too cool for any real noticeable growth. Over the last few weeks I've added a few more palms to my garden. Rhopalostylis sapidia to the front yard. Rhopalostylis baueri, Chambeyronia macrocarpa and one more Archontopheonix purpurea (because I can't stand pairs much prefer odd numbers) to the back.

I planted the Rhopalostylis baueri in a spot very close to my giant bamboo hedge for protection from wind and afternoon sun.

[Peter G]

Love it!

[Pip]

My next job will be to plant a few larged leaved understory plants around this Chambeyronia. I do expect this to be fried in the first spring heat wave.

[Pip]

Rhopalostylis sapida tucked into the undergrowth.

[Peter G]

I reckon, build a temporary shade cloth roof over the Chambey for the first Summer or 2 while the canopy establishes, it won't like those 45c days too much

[Pip]

I think you're right Peter. I'll sort a tempory shade structure some time this week. Today I built a temporary fence to keep the dogs out. The Chambeyronia's leaves are just at the right height to accidentally end up in the puppies mouth she also likes to dig.

[Albey]

Hi Pip - Awesome. Love posts with Rhopies in them. Good to see you have planted some. The R. baueri is the best choice for your climate as it will take the full sun once it hardens up. It will also be the fastest growing in your warm summers.

Its also the most tropical looking and is cold hardy to around -2.5°c to -3.0°c of short duration, which i have personally tested them to. Full defoliation will occur beyond -4.0°c ( Not that you will ever get that cold )

The R. sapida will need to be kept shaded, especially on those 40°c days.

Its still too cold here to plant out any new Palms. I have to wait till about the end of September to the start of October.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Albey

[Pip]

Thanks Albey I'm looking forward to how the Rhopalostylis gradually growing fatter towards trunking. Like you say thankfully winter temperatures never get that cold here 5-7c is more usual occasionally a as it did few times this winter in the hours before sun rise the temperture hovered around 0c.

The real challenge for my garden is aquiring palms that are adaptable to cool wet clay soil and cool day time tempertures.

[NApalm]

Good stuff! Getting quite the collection happening