Is planting around the base of a Queen Palm a problem?

[drewsg]

Been wanting to spruce up the landscaping in my front  yard. I have a Queen Palm that I wanted to plant some Lantana around it or something else that doesn't require a lot of water. Is planting around it fine? I was thinking like 3-4 feet out from the base. 

[JohnAndSancho]

I'm far from an expert, but I dunno about planting something that doesn't require a lot of water around something that requires tons of water 

[Johnny Palmseed]

It’s probably way too late to do that. The rootball likely extends into that area from the surface down a few feet and will require a lot of cutting to make a hole. Even then, it will be mostly roots and little soil. You might be able to carefully remove the grass around it and mulch it to make it look better.

[JLM]

4 minutes ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

It’s probably way too late to do that. The rootball likely extends into that area from the surface down a few feet and will require a lot of cutting to make a hole. Even then, it will be mostly roots and little soil. You might be able to carefully remove the grass around it and mulch it to make it look better.

Did this around my Queens the other day, pulled up the grass around them, although i added fill dirt in, i havent mulched yet.

[Merlyn]

If you wanted to clear grass from around the trunks, out 3 or 4 feet or so, that would be totally fine.  Just don't chop down to dig out the grass, and just sorta slice the grass off the top.  Replace with a bit of dirt and some mulch, making sure not to cover up the base too much.  If you go put flowers or something around there, pick something that's water tolerant.  Queens love water, so you don't want to have restrict water to the palm just to make the flowers happy.  When planting around it, dig with a small trowel.  You don't want to go in there with a big shovel and slice up a lot of palm roots. 

To make sure the dirt and mulch ends up close to the right depth, I'd recommend reading through this article.  It's the best quick summary I've found on mulch and dirt depth near the trunk of a palm:  http://www.marriedtoplants.com/palms/palm-tree-growing-tips-mounding/

[Ben in Norcal]

I have lantana around one of my Queens, and it does just fine.

[drewsg]

22 hours ago, Ben in Norcal said:

I have lantana around one of my Queens, and it does just fine.

How far from the base is it?

[Ben in Norcal]

10 minutes ago, drewsg said:

How far from the base is it?

6 inches?  They grow into the trunk.  Lantana are very drought tolerant so it is no issue that the Syagrus sucks up the water.  Perfect choice.

[Dartolution]

I wouldn't think that Lantana would be an issue around the base at all. 

While they can handle lack of moisture, they appreciate adequate water especially in well draining soils. 

Those queens will probably drink up whatever water lands around their root zone as well. 

I say go for it. I do agree with the above about removing the grass surrounding them and creating a better landscaped/planting bed. 

 

[drewsg]

you guys are awesome. Thank you!