Replacing Washingtonia for Archontophoenix (advice needed)

[iko.]

Hi,

Given how tedious* is the annual cleaning of Washingtonia (W. robusta in this case), I was wondering how I could replace them. I thought of planting an Archontophoenix alexandrae very close to the current Washingtonias and let it grow. If the new palms thrive, and once they get a bit bigger, cut the Washingtonias. I wasn't thinking to cut the Washingtonia yet, otherwise the area would look too bare. Archontophoenix is a very easy growing palm here, in eastern Spain, as long as it has water but I'm quite sure this raised bed is full of Washingtonia roots, here my dilemma. Has anyone tried something similar before? 

I also thought of Wodyetia for being a self-cleaning palm adapted to many types of soil but if I find it slower and tends to yellow a bit in winter. 

* These Washingtonias need to be pruned every year right before the start of the summer to avoid neighbours complaining about the mess of the dead flowers and even worse, the drop of the small fruits in autumn.  Also, aesthetically, they're starting to be long lollipops in a small garden. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

That looks to be a very confined space. Planting another palm may prove difficult to establish. If it was me, I'd remove the Washingtonia palms entirely and start fresh. It is however a big undertaking and not my decision to make. Bets of luck.

[SeanK]

If you can grow any Archontophoenix, why waste real estate on a W.robusta?

Chainsaw & stump grind.

[DoomsDave]

@iko. nice to meet you!

You might want to consider something that stays shorter, at least for a while. Kings are beautiful but they also get tall and drop LOTS of seeds. 

Maybe consider something shorter like a Phoenix roebelinii. 

How about a picture of your overall area, plus any other concerns you might have. We’ll be in a better position to recommend something in particular you’ll like better over the long term.
 

 

[iko.]

Thanks much for your opinions. 

22 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

That looks to be a very confined space. Planting another palm may prove difficult to establish. If it was me, I'd remove the Washingtonia palms entirely and start fresh. It is however a big undertaking and not my decision to make. Bets of luck.

15 hours ago, SeanK said:

If you can grow any Archontophoenix, why waste real estate on a W.robusta?

Chainsaw & stump grind.

I can't agree more with you two! It was never my decision to plant Washingtonias. Despite of the nice look of adult Washingtonias from afar, It's a palm I avoid at all costs in gardens. I'm worry to go all bare if the Washingtonias are cut and after that, the Archontophoenix don't grow much that's why I thought of planting a couple first and see how they do. Not sure how well Archontophoenix does in root bound spaces. The location is in a hill with several steps so really hard to get and impossible for a car to reach. Whatever is done, it would have to be mostly with manual tools, not big excavation trucks.

[iko.]

11 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

@iko. nice to meet you!

You might want to consider something that stays shorter, at least for a while. Kings are beautiful but they also get tall and drop LOTS of seeds. 

Maybe consider something shorter like a Phoenix roebelinii. 

How about a picture of your overall area, plus any other concerns you might have. We’ll be in a better position to recommend something in particular you’ll like better over the long term.

Hi, I have read several Archontophoenix related posts in the last days and you participated in most of them. So I appreciate giving your input in this one too.

I'm quite keen on Archontophoenix. I'm aware of the height and the seeds but that would still be better than what there is at the moment. Phoenix roebelinii or Chamaerops are a common sight around and wanted something more distinctive and slightly taller as well. I thought of Wodyetia and Dypsis decaryi but they grow slower. Also, Archontophoenix are more affordable. I attach some pictures for further reference. My concern is removing the Washingtonias and leaving the area too empty until something eventually fills the space, if it does.  That's why my initial idea has been planting a couple  before cutting anything and see if they thrive.

[Harry’s Palms]

I think you have room in between the Washingtonia and the giant bird of paradise next to both groupings. The more common Cuninghamiana have slender trunks . I can see a couple of doubles fitting in there. Harry