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Wandering around my young zone 8 plantings

14 years ago

I went for a stroll around to document some growth, and thought I'd share some random pics, mostly Florida natives. I have some urban influence on the winter temps here so I've got a couple zone 9 plants thrown in. But who isn't a zone pusher here?

Zamia pumila just starting to awaken from winter

More of my little native grouping in front with Sabal minor, Sabal palmetto, Serenoa repens, Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

A close up on the Rhapidophyllum hystrix--love 'em!

I planted a Zamia furfuracea seed just to see what it would do. It didn't appreciate low 20s, but is starting a new frond. Definitely not a frontyard plant for me.

A silver Serenoa repens grouping around a 95 ft. tall Pinus echinata

My Serenoa repens grouping in the front, you can tell the silver ones have filled in more quickly on one side, although these grow very slowly in partial sun.

Another Acoelorrhaphe wrightii in the back. I haven't winter tested these yet, but I know 21 degrees will defoliate them.

Some more Sabals: Sabal uresana

Sabal etonia (first is a transplanted mature palm)

This is "Rico," the S. palmetto X S. causiarum

And the only one that actually grows fast, my windmill

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Comments (5)

jayinflorida
14 years ago
Jay,

Your yard looks great! I love the Needles and the Palmettos! I also noticed the Bismark in the background... how do you think it will do that far north? Mine was hit pretty hard this past winter with 24* temps, but it's coming back nicely! Some have said they will take it right down to about 18* but I think it must depend on the plant itself as far as genetics and so forth! You've done exactly what I'm trying to do with my yard for the most part... the natives look great!
tallafl
Original Author
14 years ago
I got the Bismarckia nobilis as a gift, and I also have one from free seeds I got, but I don't have room for any big sun-loving palms. I'm hoping to donate it to FSU, or somewhere else. There are some micro-climates around town and here are some Bismarck palms planted 2 miles away that have spent 3 winters here. You have to have elevation, canopy, and an urban setting up here to pull it off, but it's not going to work long-term. You can tell those got damaged, and I'm guessing they saw about 24-25 degrees based on the weather station that is at the same elevation.
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jayinflorida
14 years ago
That's pretty cool that they have made it up there... I'm concerned mine might not make it if we ever get any colder here. It doesn't happen very often, but it has happened before! I still remember it snowing here back in January of 1977!
jamesmaloy
14 years ago
Your palm plantings look great.In a few years they will look so more mature it will be almost unbelievable. I wanted to ask where did you get seed from the cardboard palm? I am not a palm nut but I am a cycad lover although I don't have that many. I am growing a crop of sago from seeds to help my retirement. btw I only live an hour north of you. James Maloy
tallafl
Original Author
14 years ago
I grabbed 5 cardboard palm seeds from in front of an office building in Homestead and just stuck them straight in the ground. As you probably know, that's not the most successful way to germinate them. Mine got damaged on a 27 degree night, but it is pretty tiny. Zamias don't do well with heavy frost. I like cycads too, and it's neat that you're raising them. My sago is focusing on seed production this year, which I'm mad about because I would rather have the foliage. If you're in Tallahassee this fall, you can shake it down for seeds if you want! A good place to rustle some Zamia furfuracea seed is Orlando in October. They just fall out all over the parking lots.

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