Chamaedorea plumosa

[mppalms]

I now have a handful of potted Chamaedorea plumosas of varying sizes (tallest at around 8 ft.).  They are great palms and grow faster than weeds, but they look pretty scrawny compared with a lot of other plants, particularly in sunnier spots.  What is the best way to use them in the landscape (assuming they go in the ground)?  I have read they are best as "specimen plants" but I suspect they look better clustered.

Opinions?

Jason

[MattyB]

Jason, the best look I've seen is a mass planting like you mentioned.  Basically create a bamboo like clump as dense or loose as you desire.

[mppalms]

That's what I figured.  I'm guessing that an irregular clump (i.e., not a triple or an even row, for example) would look best, since the palms look pretty sparse.

I'll try it and post pictures when it's all done and they grow into the spot a bit.  Thanks.

Jason

[DoomsDave]

They're skinny thangs, and they hit about eight to ten (feet) and they stop growing and set about raisin' fambly, yes they do!

Two is company . . .

NO!

The more the merrier!

10 is good.  Twenty is even better.

Mongo LIKE C. plumosa in large groups, almost as much as he LIKE cigar and too many bean . . . .

dave

[Jeff Searle]

I agree with the others, make a grouping of them. It will make a better impact. Unless your trying to fill a very small space, which won't allow for a grouping.

Jeff

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

Hi Jason,

As all the above  ,But something I'd do esp as far as the landscaping  potenial of this 'sp'(more the merrier  as Dave said.I Totally argee.

Plant all your taller ones in the Centre, and smallest to the outside,if possilbe raise up

the garden bed 1.5mtrs.Another idea with a Garden for C.plumosa is

(not sure if your making new  gardens)

A mould would to me anyway look good,

Then you could put the taller ones toward the outside

and the smaller ones on the top,using rocks from large

to whatever your eye like,even a pond could be place

re-using the water

any chance of

you posting a picture of  your planting choices.

Regards Mike.E.

[Dypsisdean]

This nice grouping from the great garden of Gary Levine in Escondido, Ca should give you some ideas.

[mppalms]

These are all helpful ideas, and I will certainly post pictures of the finished product (though that may take some time with the way the summer is going).

I like the idea of varying the height of the terrain.  Since each palm will probably top out (and quickly) at around the same height, the variation will improve the look of the group plantings.

Thanks.

Jason

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

Hi Guys

Gary great looking planting,nice looking area you

have there, Maybe you should try some Calyptrocalyx's

in some of those protected areas.

Regards Mikey.

Dean ,

Nice pic. you have to let me know how to put

those pictures up for you. I'm no I .T . guy  

 Cheers Mikey.

[LJG]

(Dypsisdean @ Jul. 30 2007,19:57)

QUOTE

This nice grouping from the great garden of Gary Levine in Escondido, Ca should give you some ideas.

Dean, I heard it was you that actually lifted those rocks and put them as the back drop to those palm plantings. I heard you only used a crow bar and shovel.

[Fred Zone 10A]

I planted most of mine along both sides of a pathway leading to a back corner of the garden.  They get sun until around 1 PM, then shade.  They look great.

If you are going to group them, I would do so in odd numbers (3 or 5) and plant them no closer than three feet apart.  That way they'll not look like a clump of bamboo.

[TikiRick]

After clumping them together, use a low ground cover that is anything but green. Since their fronds are so thin and whispy, they can easily get lost in the landscape. Use a ground cover of solid color...wandering Jew for example. Purple beneath the green will make 'em pop.

[Fred Zone 10A]

Use a ground cover of solid color...wandering Jew for example.

I've found it invasive and extremely hard to get rid of.  I ripped out a big patch of it six years ago and I still find it popping up.

Plant something that won't take over your garden--try liriope or mondo grass.  Better yet, rocks.  They require no water and won't die.

[Dypsisdean]

(LJG @ Jul. 31 2007,13:01)

QUOTE

Dean, I heard it was you that actually lifted those rocks and put them as the back drop to those palm plantings. I heard you only used a crow bar and shovel.

Len,

That's stretching it a little bit.

However, I have become pretty clever at moving big black rocks these days.

[Kris]

Dear Dean  

thanks for the still,i was on the verge of asking for a visual to see and know what this variety is as i scrolled down.

but was very disappointed to see a such a weak looking palm

its like a grass tree or bamboo grass !

i think this is the first time iam unable to comment that its a

beautiful still of a beautiful palm...

love,

Kris  

[DoomsDave]

DON'T PLANT WANDERING JEW!

It is the groundcover they use in the hottest reaches of Hell . . . .

It invades everything, I want my mommy!