Mayflowers I would love to hear about what you tried, what succeeded and what failed since you posted this a few years ago. I have two large, 50+ year old established Zelkova trees and I just learned they produce juglone like black walnuts, although to a lesser degree. I didn’t realize that! Did you know that? Your garden is beautiful by the way. :-) The plants under the Zelkovas when we first moved in were mature and well established, but also juglone resistant, such as juniper, holly, etc.... awful choices in my opinion so I removed them. I didn’t think about their juglone resistance at the time. Since then I have mulched and planted, but things under the Zelkova haven’t flourished as much as other areas of the property. Now it makes sense! It’s not just shade and root competition, it’s juglone! I’m moving some azaleas I have mounded under the canopy now and trying to find out what may work there instead. I think I’m going to leave the carpet roses, nepeta and creeping boobiala under my other Zelkova, but I may change my mind. They’re doing OK, but not as great as others planted elsewhere. My Zelkovas are in a large front yard with ample space all around (no fence near them), so much more sun gets through than it looks like in your yard. It really isn’t that shady under them at all except for midday. It always seemed strange to me how different plants struggled there, even when mounded, mulched, watered appropriately. Now it makes much more sense. I need juglone resistant plants there! Or nothing at all. Did anything recommended here flourish under your Zelkova? Thank you!

Thanks, I'm looking into that now. I will try to contact Aroidial Research and see what they have available. I think I'll also take the leap and try the "borneo giant" and just see what happens--either success of failure.

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to say hello and that i missed this thread...probably because i have been so busy in the friendly skies!!! LOL... WHew..not real friendly anymore!!! LOL... Dixie, Thank you so much for your kind comments...you know that i love your yard...How did your house weather Irene? Did your yard flood? What kind of damage.. i hope all is well with you all...i was thinking of you while we were having the same here in VB. I do love my plants/trees (Plumies) and of course my palms. I did pick up another one last week from a vendor, it was a deal!!! But i made the mistake of having my hubby help me with it out of the car...LOL "What are u going to do with that?" LOL Oh well...it could be worse...i could have a problem with shoes or clothes...LOL Vince, You should have witnessed the procession every year bringing in the "beast" inside the house. It poked evryone and anything... I finally decided it was time to plant it outside. I had enough of bringing it in and out. This AGave is very sentimental to me, you all know how our plants have such meaning when passed down from friends. I will protect it this winter with frostcloth and lights if neccessary. Jin, Thank you for the ID..i wasnt sure what it was, the greenhouse had no clue and i was hoping it was what u had. It really has doubled in size since it was planted. The AGave will do alright outside this year...(hopefully) and ill watch it carefully.... Trishmick, Coolers are always welcome as well as visitors to my house!!! LOL...Buffet will be playing or maybe even Zac Brown...anything will work!!! DOnt even need to bring chairs..i have plenty!!!! Alex, Lani is a must have... i have enjoyed this beauty all summer. I have several that are blooming now. It has been the best summer for my inflos...Im a happy camper!! : ) I hope all is well with you!!! Did u have any damage? Greg, It really was a job geting this bad boy planted...but thsnk goodness that my son was home from College and my Hubby helped...they only had a few "pokes" LOL We purchased this "Sunglow" greenhouse from Costco. I really love it and will get great use this fall and winter, but as far as putting it together...well, the only thing i can say is..:NEVER AGAIN" LOL it was a lot of work. It was just my hubby and myself doing the job. I became very handy with the tools and the rivet gun!! LOL But it was a lot of work....if you were to ask my DH, he would have a few other things to say about putting up another one...LOL!!! "NO WAY" Take care everyone... Laura in VB

To Jimhardy, As everyone else has already said..."WOW". It is now summer 2011, and I was wondering how well your yard looks now? I too am from Iowa (Des Moines) and in the past have had some small banana plants in a pot and started growing elephant ears in the ground.. This year(or next) I am thinking of planting the bananas in the ground and digging up in the fall. Do you just cut off the leaves and store them? Are they better to cut the leaves off to preserve their energy?...if still in a pot? and should I store them in the basement and not water them? They are only about 3ft. tall, but I hate to lose them. and as I can see from your past pictures, you dig up the whole plant and store it, do you water them at all? Thanks Jim