Hello all,

So my yard is still a mess from the last time I posted pictures. It still looks like a hurricane came through- I call it Hurricane Searle ;); though this time the hurricane left bamboo leaves everywhere- not so bad as the pot ranch back in '05 (note pot, not Pot I am in California). 

I have an area where I planted some Phylostachys that just didn't work out. I ripped it out yesterday- which i'm glad I dd because I have a large new area opened up for shade loving plants. I staged the area with things I had around but wanted to get some opinions first. 

To the south of this area I have Bambusa oldhamii and a Mule, to the north Livistona decoras. To the east I have a common Butia. To the west I have a fence with shade cloth I just installed 3' higher than the 6' fence.

Out here it gets hot and windy, so that presents a challenge. I was thinking along the fence to the west I plant 3 Chamaedorea microspadix. I guessed on the spacing- about 3.5' apart, about 1' off the fence. In the clearing in front I plant a small grove of Chamaedorea metallicas. I wasn't sure on the spacing of those as well so I just guesed. I am learning that I really like the mass planting look. But this takes away all my metallica stock for future plantings. I'd rather see them in the ground though.

To add a layer of complexity to think about, I planted a group of Linospadix monostachya last year in front of the cleared area and they seem to be getting established. I hope the pinnate/ whatever you call metallica leves (bifurcated?) is a good contrast with the microspadix's behind.

I have a few C oblongatas, a C adscendens, a few C glaucifolias (want them? PM me! local only Bepah this means you- but not exclusively), a C seifrezii and a lot of various bromelaids to work with. 

So, I'm all ears before I plant. Thanks for the input in advance! Here are the pictures:

 

Edited April 30, 20179 yr by Patrick
I always leave something out...

That's a nice looking mess you have there  

Thanks Palmdude. It's coming along.

I know you said it gets hot and windy, but with all that canopy and your location, why not try a specimen Chambeyronia, Hedyscepe, Howea or Rhopalostylis as a focal point? 

On 5/3/2017, 9:18:46, Matt in OC said:

I know you said it gets hot and windy, but with all that canopy and your location, why not try a specimen Chambeyronia, Hedyscepe, Howea or Rhopalostylis as a focal point? 

This gets my vote, Patrick.  You might get just a tad too cold for a Chambeyronia, and Hedys are so slow...nice Howea or Rhopie should do the trick!

Well Matt and Ben, I think you may just get your wish. Thanks for the inspiration. I found myself in Encinitas this weekend (not a great reason, but making a positive out of a negative) and picked up a small Howea and a x5 Chamaedorea plumosa for my two lonely boys on the side yard. Thanks to Jungle Music. The plumosas are as good as planted- I need to separate them, but the Howea I need to find just the right place for it.....

Awesome. Enjoy!

I would not worry about putting all of your Metallica's in,

you will probably have seeds in a couple of years.

4 hours ago, Patrick said:

picked up a small Howea

Which one, Howea forsteriana or belmoreana?  I also agree with Steve above, go for it and put all the C metallica's into the ground.  You were in my neighborhood, Jungle Music is just up and around the corner from me.  My weekend dog walks often take me past them.

Thanks all!

 

I got a regular 'ol H foresteriana. I have a tiny 4" band coming in the mail too. I think it would be a nice compliment to the Linospadix. Especially with the flowering habit. They resemble each other. Good thing it grows slow because I do NOT want this thing getting into the hot easterly wind out here. I hope the nearby Butia outpaces it.

 

We love that whole Encinitas area and north. Made a stop at Quail, or whatever it's called now

 

My dog was happy I made it home. She's a lanky greyhound but thinks she's a lap dog- that's where she is now, barely fits (like when I try to put on an old pair of pants), and that's what I get for being gone for 4 days...