Livistona Australis , a welcome addition!

[Harry’s Palms]

About 2-3 years ago while poking around one of my favorite nurseries in Ventura , I found a neglected palm that looked different than anything I had in my collection . It had a healthy spear growth and one , that’s right , just one nice frond that had just opened . The others were brown and tattered. It was in a fairly large container and I could tell by the base of the palm it had a bit of age to it . Priced at $150 , it was a good solid deal…..IF  it was healthy . But it was clear that this guy was less than healthy . After getting an employee to help me with ID , I asked “ how much ?” I told him I would be interested if he marked it down a bit. He went and checked with his boss and said “ how about$100?” SOLD!! 
  Fast forward a couple of years and I am so glad I got it. They aren’t as common as they should be around my area . Easy to grow , unique costapalmate fronds , deeply divided. I was surprised at how quickly it came around . The growth rate is much faster than the L. Chinensis that was planted near it some 25years ago. This one willpass it up within 5 years I think. Just lots of water and sun is all it wants! Harry

I am not walking down there to get a better pick so excuse the poor quality. You can see the Chinensis to the left . Such a beautiful , easy to grow palm with a very interesting frond. 

[Jonathan]

I love them too Harry, I've got a dozen or so in the ground in a big group, which should look pretty cool in a few years. I collected the seeds from a little patch of bush in Southern NSW, which is pretty close to their southern native limit, and I've got another batch from Eungella in Nth Qld, 1600km further north near their  northern limit. Both lots grow equally happily here, so they’re clearly very adaptable palms! They love water!!

[gyuseppe]

[Phoenikakias]

They are water hogs and love almost swampy conditions. The ones in metropolitan garden in Athens are huge, because they are benefited by the replaced water of the nearby duck pond.

[happypalms]

Beautiful palm they are, iam fortunate enough to live in there native habitat, just a short dirt bike ride over the hill and they are everywhere. They survive fire drought and flood super tough palm. Be kind to the one you have and it will reward you well! 
Richard 

[Harry’s Palms]

Thank you for all the great pics! I’m glad to see others with the same attraction to this palm. I hope to see more grown in my area. A hospital in Ventura installed some mature specimens a few years ago . Harry