lakeland Palms and Others of Interest

[PalmBossTampa]

7 hours ago, Merlyn said:

I was in Venice Beach last summer and rode my bike from Anna Maria Island down Longboat Key and Lido Key.  I saw these all over the place in great shape, but completely forgot to look up what they were.  Let me know how it fared with the cold and frost!  I have sea grapes and autograph plant here doing well except for the occasional heavy frost.  Even the seagrapes will grow back from the roots when all the trunks are killed back.  If Silver Buttonwood survives defoliation and bounces back reasonably quick then I definitely need to find a spot for one.

If i remember correctly from my landscape contracting days, they will defoliate and come back from limbs pencil sized or larger. Kinda like how duranta gold mound reacts to cold. Leaves aren’t tough enough

[kinzyjr]

@Merlyn + @PalmBossTampa

I stopped at WaWa and noticed what I thought were Silver Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var sericeus) :

Google Streetview - November 2024

They were planted before the 2022 Christmas Freeze and are still there growing there.

I took a closer photo and posted it to this thread: Conocarpus erectus var sericeus

Take a look and let me know if you think they are something else.

[TropicsEnjoyer]

On 1/1/2026 at 9:08 PM, PalmBossTampa said:

If i remember correctly from my landscape contracting days, they will defoliate and come back from limbs pencil sized or larger. Kinda like how duranta gold mound reacts to cold. Leaves aren’t tough enough

duranta is one of my favorites. leaves get fried but looks good as new in spring. i have the green tree variety 

[kinzyjr]

The freeze put a beating on the garden and all of the other gardens in the area.  Most of the tropical and subtropical palms in the area suffered heavy damage or are dead already.  More will likely die as the temperature rises and fungal infections spread.  Some of the palms that I figured would die are still alive, and some that I figured could survive the onslaught are slated for the bone pile.

It's not all bad news.  The last 15 years were a period of experimentation and success with the survivors of 2010 and their offspring proliferating.  After this event, there will undoubtedly be less of a local seed stock.  Whatever is left has certainly passed a big test in regard to advective cold.

Come spring, the garden will begin to take on a different look.  There should be more open space and some different plants taking their shot at becoming staples in the landscape.  With recent rainfall patterns and winters not as amenable to growing true tropicals, there is a garage full of more cold-and-drought tolerant species that are slated to make an appearance.  Stay tuned  

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, kinzyjr said:

The freeze put a beating on the garden and all of the other gardens in the area.  Most of the tropical and subtropical palms in the area suffered heavy damage or are dead already.  More will likely die as the temperature rises and fungal infections spread.  Some of the palms that I figured would die are still alive, and some that I figured could survive the onslaught are slated for the bone pile.

It's not all bad news.  The last 15 years were a period of experimentation and success with the survivors of 2010 and their offspring proliferating.  After this event, there will undoubtedly be less of a local seed stock.  Whatever is left has certainly passed a big test in regard to advective cold.

Come spring, the garden will begin to take on a different look.  There should be more open space and some different plants taking their shot at becoming staples in the landscape.  With recent rainfall patterns and winters not as amenable to growing true tropicals, there is a garage full of more cold-and-drought tolerant species that are slated to make an appearance.  Stay tuned  

I admire your determination, and the well that’s growing palms out of there native habitat situation! Winners and losers but the garden must go on so to speak! 🪴

[kinzyjr]

This year will be more of a work-in-progress year.  A lot of stuff has been removed, a lot of stuff will be added.  This year might be the year of the Brahea and Livistona plantings.

The success of Brahea edulis here has been a motivator to bring more species from this gorgeous genus in for a try.  The bed was condensed to a circular scallop bed to make room for a path in this area.

Due to the success of Brahea edulis thus far, the former desert bed is getting an expansion with copious trials of Brahea aculeata, Brahea brandegeei, and a few Brahea 'Icy Blue'.  All but one of the plantings was grown from RPS seeds picked up last year at this time.  About half of the bed is still empty, but there are more Brahea armata, Brahea dulcis, and Brahea 'Icy Blue' waiting for their turn.  There might even be a Nannorrhops ritchiana here at a later date.

Start of desod - notice how un-Florida-like the soil is here

 

A few views of the first plantings in this area.  More to come.

 

 

[Merlyn]

Initially I read that Brahea wer just a no-go in Fl, so I didn't try any.  But I have a Nitida and Clara doing well for years.  I had to move the Clara because it was in a low-ish shady area that had way too much rich soil.  It survived the move to a full sun and high-and-dry area.  It took a year to start growing again, but should eventually look nice!  Similarly, try Copernicia Alba for a sunny spot!

[kinzyjr]

4 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

Initially I read that Brahea wer just a no-go in Fl, so I didn't try any.  But I have a Nitida and Clara doing well for years.  I had to move the Clara because it was in a low-ish shady area that had way too much rich soil.  It survived the move to a full sun and high-and-dry area.  It took a year to start growing again, but should eventually look nice!  Similarly, try Copernicia Alba for a sunny spot!

I remember hearing that and then seeing the Brahea armata at Lake Wire.  While they aren't as easy as something native, they handle drought well and don't mind our few nights of arctic weather after record heat.