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Posted

I'm struggling with an area at the end of my driveway, by the mailbox.  Had some small sagos in there, and wasn't happy with how it looked.  The area is sort of sandwiched between a Syagrus x Butia reverse cross, and a nice, blue regular Butia odorata.  Relative full sun, and quite dry in summer.  What would you plant down here to nicely set off the palms?

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Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

Posted

Lampranthus productus purple iceplant.

It blooms and people scream in ecstacy

 

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Posted

Does Catharanthus roseus grow in California? I've used them to fill in spots between palms with some very good results. They bloom all year here so it's nonstop color. I don't know about over there though. 

Keith 

Palmetto, Florida (10a) and Tampa, Florida (9b/10a)

Posted

Just a few thoughts.

There is more to this than just finding a plant you want, the eye discriminates and gets bored with plants that all have the same basic color, texture, and growth habit; that may be why you were unhappy with the Sagos. Other aspects of design are layering of plants (_Keith has a good example in a recent thread where he has a W. robusta in the back, fronted by 2 L. chinensis which fills gap of foliage around the trunk of the washie. His problem is that nce the chinensid get taller, he will have to front them with something else, probably a Sabal or three.

I am working one some plants that will complement the palms, which include cycads, of course, as well as cacti and succulents, aroids, and other dicots that have very different textures, colors, heights, and other characteristics. I am also not limiting myself to tropical plants but also looking for non-tropical plants that look tropical, cold hardy ferns come to mind, the oddball heliconia, bamboos, and anything that may look tropical when placed in a tropical looking garden. I am testing an Artimesia right now but am not sure that it can make the transition.

Pick up a book on landscape design for some principles to  get you to your end. It is fun to work on tis but it takes time, I think, especially if you have other things in life,...you know, like work.

I hope this helps and adds to your design....

JC

John Case

Brentwood CA

Owner and curator of Hana Keu Garden

USDA Zone 9b more or less, Sunset Zone 14 in winter 9 in summer

"Its always exciting the first time you save the world. Its a real thrill!"

Posted

Thanks, chaps, for the thoughts so far.  A couple of suggestions there that are interesting, if not for this spot then maybe elsewhere.  I am thinking something a bit "architectural" for this spot, but something that doesn't trunk - perhaps like an Agave, but I already have a bunch of them.  Hmmmm...keep the ideas coming!

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

Posted

Ben, to start I would suggest you remove the bush in the corner. It ruins the symmetry of the rest of your plantings.

 

 

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 5:16 AM, Darold Petty said:

Aloe plicatilis

I always wanted one of these, but don't have the microclimate or space !  :mellow:

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=108

Expand  

Darold - how cool is that Aloe?  I am going to have to get one!

  On 11/16/2015 at 12:06 PM, Gonzer said:

Ben, to start I would suggest you remove the bush in the corner. It ruins the symmetry of the rest of your plantings.

Expand  

LOL.  Gonzer, PLEASE come visit and chat with my wife.  That's a pre-existing planting around the mailbox that my wife is obsessed with me not removing.  I hope to break her down eventually!!!

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

Posted

Personally Ben, I would say you don’t need anything in that area. Let the palms grow and fill in. But if you want some colour than just plant small annual stuff or drought tolerant succulents. 

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 1:40 PM, Ben in Norcal said:

Darold - how cool is that Aloe?  I am going to have to get one!

LOL.  Gonzer, PLEASE come visit and chat with my wife.  That's a pre-existing planting around the mailbox that my wife is obsessed with me not removing.  I hope to break her down eventually!!!

Expand  

Ben, plitatilis are easy to find, small ones are very inexpensive, large ones usually cost an arm and a leg....keep you eye out for one to get a bargain. If I find one, I'll let you know.

John Case

Brentwood CA

Owner and curator of Hana Keu Garden

USDA Zone 9b more or less, Sunset Zone 14 in winter 9 in summer

"Its always exciting the first time you save the world. Its a real thrill!"

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 1:40 PM, Ben in Norcal said:

LOL.  Gonzer, PLEASE come visit and chat with my wife.  That's a pre-existing planting around the mailbox that my wife is obsessed with me not removing.  I hope to break her down eventually!!!

Expand  

Can you move the mailbox?  :evil:

Perhaps the bush will follow....

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 1:40 PM, Ben in Norcal said:

Darold - how cool is that Aloe?  I am going to have to get one!

LOL.  Gonzer, PLEASE come visit and chat with my wife.  That's a pre-existing planting around the mailbox that my wife is obsessed with me not removing.  I hope to break her down eventually!!!

Expand  

Ya know Ben, at the rate the Post Office is losing money you may not need it much longer!

 

 

Posted

Plant something orange.  Low-growing orange succulents such as Crassula, orange arctotis, the orange bromeliad Aechmea blanchetiana, kniphofia, etc.  The orange is a stunning contrast with the blue-green foliage.  As is, the garden is fairly monochromatic.  An alternative would be pink, but I think the orange offers more choices in your "architectural form" preference.

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Posted

So many good ideas guys.  Just asking for you all to chip in on something like this, I learn so much - even if I apply those learnings in a different area of the yard!  More plants to do research on - I thank you for all the ideas!!!

Darold and John, I found a nice sized Aloe plicatilis on eBay.  It's on the way and I didn't even have to leave the house. ;)

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 1:40 PM, Ben in Norcal said:

Darold - how cool is that Aloe?  I am going to have to get one!

LOL.  Gonzer, PLEASE come visit and chat with my wife.  That's a pre-existing planting around the mailbox that my wife is obsessed with me not removing.  I hope to break her down eventually!!!

Expand  

let us know when you succeed with that one Ben..lol

I have the same problem with some stuff at my house my wife wont let me cut down..

  • Upvote 1

Carlsbad, California Zone 10 B on the hill (402 ft. elevation)

Sunset zone 24

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 10:46 PM, Kim said:

Plant something orange.  Low-growing orange succulents such as Crassula, orange arctotis, the orange bromeliad Aechmea blanchetiana, kniphofia, etc.  The orange is a stunning contrast with the blue-green foliage.  As is, the garden is fairly monochromatic.  An alternative would be pink, but I think the orange offers more choices in your "architectural form" preference.

Expand  

I second the  orange bromeliad Aechmea blanchetiana

awesome suggestion. here a pic off the web

Carlsbad, California Zone 10 B on the hill (402 ft. elevation)

Sunset zone 24

Posted
  On 11/17/2015 at 4:24 AM, Josh-O said:

let us know when you succeed with that one Ben..lol

I have the same problem with some stuff at my house my wife wont let me cut down..

Expand  

It's a jasmine vine - it is gorgeous and super fragrant in bloom for like one month a year.  The rest of the time, it's a pain in the a**.  

I'm going to cut it down this weekend and apologize afterwards.  

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

Posted
  On 11/16/2015 at 1:40 PM, Ben in Norcal said:

Darold - how cool is that Aloe?  I am going to have to get one!

LOL.  Gonzer, PLEASE come visit and chat with my wife.  That's a pre-existing planting around the mailbox that my wife is obsessed with me not removing.  I hope to break her down eventually!!!

Expand  

The good news is that corner planting is going to look and smell amazing in March.

Posted

Personally, I would plant low-growing, non-shrubby plants there. It looks like you've already got quite a few palms and cycads in that spot that will be quite large some day. A variety of colors and textures looks good to my eyes. You could use things like Dianella (flax lily), Agapanthus, African iris, low-growing ornamental grasses, bromeliads, ground orchids, non-trunking aloes, dwarf Mexican petunia, crinums, kniphofia, hymenocallis, etc. to achieve that, picking more lush or more arid plants depending on your preference, or a combination of both. Those are some plant types I like. I don't know much about California but I think there is a very large plant palette available in your climate.

  • Upvote 1

Woodville, FL

zone 8b

Posted

A bit larger than the plants I just mentioned, but commonly used for a tropical effect is Alpinia zerumbet "variegata". Supposedly there's a dwarf variety, too. And if you want quick and easy color and don't mind planting more shrubby-looking plants, lantana (find the right cultivar) and Madagascar periwinkle bloom throughout the year for me.

  • Upvote 1

Woodville, FL

zone 8b

Posted

I would go for the combination that Raymond Jungles pushes.  The purple "creeping jew" groundcover, with a few orange Aechmea blanchetiana bromeliads.  Raymond is known for spectacular tropical gardens and one of his favorites is the purple creeping jew with Aechmea blanchetiana bromeliads, with cycads and palm trees.

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