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Need a palm recommendation
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Posted by artiew QLD Aust (My Page) on Wed, Feb 8, 06 at 21:41
| Hi All,
One of the big problems I have with many palms is that they grow way too tall - having to direct your gaze to the stratosphere isnt my idea of a good time :)
I'm looking to add several palms to one of my beds - want to use all the same species, and these are my criteria:
1. Will handle full (Rocky) sun and strong wind from an early age.
2. No more than 8 metres tall at maturity (preferably 5 !)
3. Preferably Aussie Native species
4. 'Self-cleaning' fronds
I'm currently thinking Ptychosperma (Solitaire and Macarthurii), but I already have a bed full of them. Foxtails are another possibility - I also like Bangalows, but they probably wouldnt like the exposed position. Open to any and all suggestions - if there is an exotic option which fits the bill, please dont be shy about letting me know :)
Cheers,
Artie |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| Two of my favourites are foxtails and triangles. I'm not keen on bangalows and alex, unless they are multiplanted, as once they grow all you see are plain trunks. I'm having a mental blank at the moment and can't think of the names of a couple of others. Another thought, the various date palms, though because they are so common you probably already have them. |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| Thanks Goldhills - I share your concern re the Archontophoenix species, and several of my other palms are already so tall that I hurt my neck looking up at them. One of my neighbours has *the* most spectacular Alex I've ever seen, but its not the right palm for this particular spot. Triangle palms dont really do it for me (I have retained one, after reading that they are an endangered species in their native habitat), but I do quite like this hybrid of the bottle palm: http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Hyophorbe/hybrid.html The large crown over a relatively squat trunk is quite appealing, at least in my eyes, and they dont seem to be in large numbers in my area. |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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Our Red Necks seem to be coming with the always blowing Bundy breeze in a full sun situation.
Chambeyronia macrocarpa although slow is also coping quite well. However the beautiful red new growth seems to change to green quicker than when in a shadier aspect.
I also love solitaires. carpentarias are nice but get quite tall. What about the Veitchia family.
What would probably suit you perfectly if you can grow it okay is the Christmas/Manila Palm Adonidia merrillii a wonderful palm but hates the cold. |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| Tamoure is right with Adonidia merrillii, it will handle the sun from an early age, doesn't mind a bit of dry and will not grow too tall. I think of it as a tropical replacement for the common old dwarf date palm (but without the spikes). You won't find any native palms that will only grow to the height that you want except maybe some of the understorey rainforests species such as Linospadix or Laccospadix but these will not handle the sun. Andrew. |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| g'day artie, the banglow's will handle the full on sun maybe a multi planting of them or in among others for the best display especially if you can get them growing at different hights to each other. they will grow to the 8 meters though. len |
Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| The hybrid looks interesting, especially those flower spikes. Red necks was one that I was trying to think of. |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| If you really do want to stick with a native - well, there are few if any that answer your requirements. Apart from the rainforest undergrowth ones (e.g. Linospadix, Laccospadix), most native palms will exceed 8 m. The Foxtail Palm may be as good a choice as any, because at least it takes a long time to get over 8 m. Another one that might do well at Rocky is Livistona alfredii, from a similar climate on the other side of Australia. It's very attractive but not 'self-cleaning'. |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| Thanks to everyone who responded - certainly a wide variety of palms for me to base my choice on. May hold off for a couple of weeks - still very hot here in Rocky. Cheers, Artie |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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Lacco- & Lino-spadix prefer a bit of shade. Licuala ramsayi will grow in the open and is pretty slow-growing.Other Livistonas you may look at which really enjoy full sun are L inermis and L. humilis.
Tony |
RE: Need a palm recommendation
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| Hi Tony, Thanks for the recommendation, but I went with Adonidia merrillii - it met so many of my tough criteria, and is an attractive palm (to my eyes, anyway) to boot. Your mention of Livistona reminded me of my earlier post re the Blackdown Fan Palm (Livistona Fulva) and the interest that it generated. Comparing a couple of palms in a yard near my home with photos a mate took up in the national park has confirmed my earlier suspicions - these would stand out like a sore thumb in my little garden. I guess we've both driven past gardens which have disproportionately large palms jutting out from the canopy : I personally find it detracts from the overall effect. We wont mention the two monster coconuts which tower over my backyard - from eye level, you dont even notice them :) Cheers, Artie |
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