Ideas for tropical backyard Zone 10a-b
Hi everyone,
I'm located in Palm Beach, FL. I'm in the beginning stages of sprucing up my backyard to give it a more tropical feel. My home is decorated with a tropical/beach/ocean theme and I want to continue that outdoors.
I have a large enclosed sunroom with a wide view of the back yard. The back yard is on the north side of my home. There is a picnic bench in the center and a large Florida Maple tree behind it. Here's a pics to illustrate:
Wide angle view: The north east corner is directly behind the red patio umbrella.
The hedges on the right-side fence line are the invasive Brazilian Pepper (Florida Holly). They are horrible and I have severe allergic skin reactions to them so they will eventually meet there demise. The Florida Maple is the tree in the center.
Here's a panoramic view from inside sunroom:
Plenty of sun hits the backyard. The Maple provides partial shade during different parts of the day to the right and left of it.
Layout:
I'm wanting a few palm trees to the right and left of tree and a 3rd on the rightside fence line. I need suggestions on palm tree types. Then some ideas on what I could further do along the fence lines to fill in.
Keep in mind that the rear wood fence will need to be replaced so I need a little space between landscaping and fence. The right fence line will also have a wood privacy fence installed eventually after I get rid of the Brazillian Peppers. I have to watch my spending so I will be doing this a little at a time.
Comments (9)
Orlando Diaz
7 years ago
PROWater Scuppers and Bowls, LLC
7 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (34)"I don't know what to mix in this case - any thoughts?" Sorry, but I can't suggest appropriate plants as I've spent little time in your part of the world, and none in northern LA. I've spent several weeks based in NOLA for work, that's it. I just wanted you to be aware that you won't get an even dense hedge of one species with the variability of light levels. I have a more casual style (I live on an old farm) than what appeals to you, so instead of hedges of one species, for the most part I have mixed shrubs, with multiples of each species, mixed along the length of the shrub border. Only in one spot do I have a row of all the same species, and that is in full sun from all sides so that the plants grow at a fairly similar rate. My usual suggestion in this type of situation is that you visit neighborhoods where the gardening appeals to you to get ideas, or if there are garden centers or nurseries with demonstration gardens or if there is an arboretum or public park or botanic garden where you can look at the various types of plantings that they have. To get an ID on a particular plant (if it's not in a situation where it is labeled) take photos of leaves, blooms or fruit, branches and the whole plant, and post on the Name that Plant forum. Or visit the public library and look for books that have landscaping photos for your general area or look at photos here on Houzz that are from your part of the US and see what inspires you. You want to keep in mind that you don't want a huge amount of pruning (so check growth rates once you know names) and that you don't want excessive amounts of shedding of blooms, leaves, seeds, and branches, so something that blooms all summer might be messier than you want to groom. Here's a photo from Derviss Design/Michelle Derviss - she sometimes participates in these forums. Though her area is different (CA coast) it shows a similarly shaped yard with varying light levels around the perimeter and so a mix of plants. She hasn't tried to totally cover up the fence, but there is a mix of different textures and foliage color and varied plant heights. If you look at the closer photos of the pots (go to link below) they also rely largely on foliage rather than flowers. I am not suggesting that you try to emulate this, just that this is one way to approach your problem. http://www.houzz.com/projects/312471/napa-valley-outdoor-living...See More
PROYardvaark
7 years agoThe way you are describing arranging the palms -- as solitary specimens spaced along the perimeter -- will end up looking as if your yard was designed by a county agency. It would look better to plant some palms in small groupings. Or limit it to one specimen in addition to any groupings. Pindo Palm would work well in group of 3 .. does not get too tall, has nice form and color and is cold hardy. Instead of a "single" palm, a triple-trunk Christmas palm could be nice.
I'd find a place for the dark coral pink Thai crown of thorns. It is the bloomingest plant I have. The dark pink is bushy ... not all stalk like some of the others.
Orlando Diaz
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoOrlando Diaz
7 years ago
Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
7 years agoOrlando Diaz
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoOrlando Diaz
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoLooking through the net I found a few examples that kind of show what I like, or don't, in one way or another.
This one has a clean, controlled look, not over bearing like a jungle.
Another clean look though maybe a little to lite and repetitive.
Banana palms cluster, I like.
Bananas too but has too many other things in the mix, too dense.
Has tropical look but I think still a little too dense
This appears to be a normal backyard like mine. It's not heavily planted from the looks of it.
Yardvaark