Oh it sounds like a wonderful spot! One of the best vacation I ever had involved several hours every day laying in a hammock under palm trees.

I would avoid anything with flowers because I hate to be bothered by bees or wasps when I'm trying to relax. You don't want to have to shoo they away from your mojito every time you want to take a sip. Instead, wire a couple orchids onto the palms around you - not too many flowers to attract pollinators but very tropical and pretty.

Have fun!

Kate

Oooh...orchids! I never of that! That's a great idea!

I didn't think about the 'bee issues' before I planted the jasmine...hmmm...

Kate, you sound like you get the whole idea of bliss in a hammock. I feel like I just discovered this secret that everyone else knew about but me! And, I got the one that is made of a synthetic rope material that won't fall apart from the environment.

...and, good idea on the mojito in the hammock! I need to figure out how to drink it without spilling it! :-)

I now have my Sunday activities mapped out! :)

Sippy cups aren't just for kids anymore!

LOL! Enjoy your hammock, saintp, and enjoy the view of all that grows around you as well as your sippy cup...

We have hammock rings inside our Bali hut, and a hammock stand that hasn't gotten nearly enough use lately. Mark is a hammock nut from way back. He learned to sleep in a jungle hammock in VietNam and often took his camping with us, until it finally came apart at the seams from old age.

Jungle hammocks are great for camping because they have mosquito netting and a "roof" above them to keep the rain off and the bugs out, but are still sooo comfy and have 360 degree visibility.

We own two large double hammocks with wooden supports in each end, and at least six or eight smaller ones of varying sizes. When we hike, we always take two small rolled up ones along to string up and use as swinging seats while eating lunch. Good for an after lunch nap, too.

The hammock is an age-old design that is pure function. And the function is such a NICE one!

I would plant whatever you like in your restful area. Me, I have bees by the hundreds in every corner of my yard, and they never bother me. Doesn't matter whether I'm working or relaxing, they continue to mind their own business while I mind mine. But also, I'm not at all afraid of them, and I believe that factors into the equation. They don't feel threatened by me, and vice versa, so we all get along fine. That's just my own personal experience.

With bees or without them, I'm sure you will learn to love your time in your new hammock! It's a great place to contemplate your plants and dream your dreams.

Marcia

Every fall around this time, I pull all the blasted Spanish needle out of my area where nothing else will grow and stick nasturtium seeds in the ground. The soil there is very poor, which nasturtiums actually prefer. I hadn't really thought about it, but it's where we put the hammock up too. Never had a bee issue back there. I'm putting in more broms in that area because they're so shallow rooted, they don't seem to mind the nothing-grows-in-this dirt.

Nasturtiums won't last forever, just for the winter, but a $2 seed packet is a quick and easy way to get some color and foliage in there that won't grow high and get in the way of the hammock. They don't need water or fertilizer or pesticides or really any care whatsoever. I soak the seeds in water overnight because my grandmother told me to, and that works great. But I've never tried not soaking them, might work just as well. :)

And you can eat the flowers and the leaves, or even use the flowers to spice up a drink _ they have a mild peppery taste.

Susannah

From my hammock you can see gingers, white bird of paradise, monstera, assorted EE, cannas and broms. I can't wait for the cooler weather. You're right...it's Heaven.

You all have inspired me. I think I'll untie my Mayan Hammock and go hang out on the porch awhile. Love that Mayan because its go easy to braid and knot, then hang on a hook in the porch. Boyfriend made me a spot where I can hang outside too, looking at ginger, roses, chenile, palms & the sky, with my back to the Red Passion Vine that is growing, growing and teeming with wasps!

I see I am not the only hammock lover out here! ;-)

I actually used the hammock on Sunday night at 8:30pm. It was cool and breezy - no bugs - and I could see all the stars. Due to the rain the last night and yesterday, I don't expect to be able to use it again for a few days.

I like the idea of ginger. I want a banana-leafy/palm frond tropical looking area. I thought about white B of P but thought it would get too tall and create too much shade? Also, looking for some shade type of palm that won't get huge.

I need to buy a sippy cup before Saturday... ;-)

Maybe you should just get one of those party hats that hold cans or bottles and have those long straws that come down to your mouth. Then you could sip hands free! I can see you now, sippin' and swingin'!

I think a tropical look is perfect for a hammock. Sounds like you are on the right track to me! Go for it!

Marcia

Marcia....too funny! LOL....

The big challenge that I have is the square footage of that space. I think it may be 8 feet total wide from the side of the house to the fence. So, any plant selections I make cannot be large specimens.

I've actually laid in one of those on Pawley's Island, SC. Pawley's Island likes to call itself "arrogantly shabby". LOL

There really is something magical about lazing in a hammock especially when it's under some trees a there is a kind of dappled light coming through.
It's the best thing in the world to help you unwind.
heaven, pure and simple

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden hammock