Ideas for cool shade palms

[ThunderSRQ]

As a follow-up to my recent post about planting a Chambeyronia macrocarpa/hookerii trio under live oak canopy, I wanted to ask for recommendations re: other palms that would do well in my planting area. Since this is a high profile spot (and I just like odd/unusual stuff anyway... ), I'm mainly looking for palms that are colorful and/or have a neat/unique shape, "look", or other characteristics. And, as far as mature adult size is concerned, under 20' is ideal with 30' max. growth as the upper limit.

I already have quite a few small and relatively small palms slated for this front yard area (Cryosophila warscewiczii, Licuala peltata sumawongii, Kerriodoxa elegans, Dypsis sp. 'pink crownshaft' -- which may not make it here in zone 9B, Burretiokentia hapala, Pinanga coronata, Wallichia densiflora, Arenga hookeriana, Lytocaryum weddellianum, Linospadix monostachya, Reinhardtia simplex, Chamaedorea adscendens, Cham. metallica, Cham. elegans) -- any thoughts on other cool/unusual/colorful palms that would work well?

Thanks...

Tim

[doubravsky]

How about chamaedorea Ernesti-Augustii and Chuniophoenix Nana?

[MattyB]

Licuala spinosa.

[ThunderSRQ]

Thanks for those ideas -- I'll add them to my list. And I ALWAYS find some (previously unknown to me) must-haves at Jeff Searle's sales so I'm sure I'll have acquired several more neat/unique palms in a couple of months from that resource (this past Spring I got one of his brand new offerings, Licuala sp. 'pre-ati', http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/LicAti.shtml , http://www.utopiapalmsandcycads.com/photop...LASpPreAti1.htm )

I should also clarify that my "shade" area is much better described as filtered light since it is under high live oak canopy -- definitely not "deep" shade anywhere in this zone with a fair amount of full sun coming through some of the larger "holes" and sparse canopy areas.

[Jeff Searle]

Thanks for those ideas -- I'll add them to my list. And I ALWAYS find some (previously unknown to me) must-haves at Jeff Searle's sales so I'm sure I'll have acquired several more neat/unique palms in a couple of months from that resource (this past Spring I got one of his brand new offerings, Licuala sp. 'pre-ati', http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/LicAti.shtml , http://www.utopiapalmsandcycads.com/photop...LASpPreAti1.htm )

I should also clarify that my "shade" area is much better described as filtered light since it is under high live oak canopy -- definitely not "deep" shade anywhere in this zone with a fair amount of full sun coming through some of the larger "holes" and sparse canopy areas.

Licuala sp. "Pre-ati" ???? Thats about as rare as you can get as far as Licuala's goes. Please take care of it, find a nice shelter spot and enjoy. Nice that you got one.

Jeff

[MattyB]

Another suggestion: A multi planted Ptychosperma caryotiodes.....beautiful!

[ThunderSRQ]

Thanks for those ideas -- I'll add them to my list. And I ALWAYS find some (previously unknown to me) must-haves at Jeff Searle's sales so I'm sure I'll have acquired several more neat/unique palms in a couple of months from that resource (this past Spring I got one of his brand new offerings, Licuala sp. 'pre-ati', http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/LicAti.shtml , http://www.utopiapalmsandcycads.com/photop...LASpPreAti1.htm )

I should also clarify that my "shade" area is much better described as filtered light since it is under high live oak canopy -- definitely not "deep" shade anywhere in this zone with a fair amount of full sun coming through some of the larger "holes" and sparse canopy areas.

Licuala sp. "Pre-ati" ???? Thats about as rare as you can get as far as Licuala's goes. Please take care of it, find a nice shelter spot and enjoy. Nice that you got one.

Jeff

OK -- now you've got me worried about it... (lol)

Seriously though, I'm thrilled to hear that it is a really unique palm and would like to know when you think I should re-pot it as well as the soil mix/type to use. As an FYI, I've had it in almost full shade (it's on the east side of my house under the live oaks so it gets some filtered light for a few hours and then full shade the rest of the day) and I have been a little concerned that it may get too dry since it's still in a 4" pot (but also don't want to over-water it).

Re: soils, I've got a bunch of different types -- Miracle Grow Tree & Shrub, Jungle Growth Tree & Shrub (from Lowes -- red & black bag), Miracle Grow Moisture-control, Sta-Green Moisture-control, and Fafard cactus & succulent mix -- any of these sound good or do you have a specific mix recommendation?

I also have not supplemented with any fertilizer yet -- should I be giving it some "juice" or granules? (as an FYI, I have Flori-Kan 10-4-14, 270 day time-release)

Thanks...

Tim

[Jeff in St Pete]

Tim, I had the same kind of conditions in my old yard in Tampa. If you are looking for colorful, why not try Archontophoenix purpurea and Areca vestiaria "red crownshaft"? They both grew well for me under high live oak canopy.

[MattyB]

Brahea nitida looks awesome in filtered/shade. Huge round fronds like Kerriodoxa without the white underdsides. More cold hardy to boot.

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

Thanks for those ideas -- I'll add them to my list. And I ALWAYS find some (previously unknown to me) must-haves at Jeff Searle's sales so I'm sure I'll have acquired several more neat/unique palms in a couple of months from that resource (this past Spring I got one of his brand new offerings, Licuala sp. 'pre-ati', http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/LicAti.shtml , http://www.utopiapalmsandcycads.com/photop...LASpPreAti1.htm )

I should also clarify that my "shade" area is much better described as filtered light since it is under high live oak canopy -- definitely not "deep" shade anywhere in this zone with a fair amount of full sun coming through some of the larger "holes" and sparse canopy areas.

Licuala sp. "Pre-ati" ???? Thats about as rare as you can get as far as Licuala's goes. Please take care of it, find a nice shelter spot and enjoy. Nice that you got one.

Jeff

Now thats a nice Licuala, Bifid leaf Another nice one would be L "romberr"

(a five cornered seed)

you could always plant Calyptrocalyx in there as well.

Regards Mikey

[BS Man about Palms]

I think a fair amount of the New Caledonia stuff would do OK there too. Cyphophoenix elegans..etc. Kentiopsis pyriformis....

[osideterry]

I second the Areca, and would add Pinnanga species as well.

[ThunderSRQ]

Thanks so much for the additional ideas -- there are several types that I hadn't heard of before in any of my "palm quests" (I'm giving "Google image" a real work-out!). As an FYI, I do already have an Archontophoenix purpurea planted but I didn't list it because it isn't a small palm (I've got it in one of the highest canopy areas with a 30'+ ceiling and have one more to find a spot for). And I really like the look of that solitary fish-tail palm (Ptychosperma caryotiodes) as well as the multiple plant configuration suggestion.

Re: the Areca 'red' -- I didn't know there were colorful Arecas that would make it here in zone 9B (?) -- I've got both a maroon and an orange crownshaft type -- are they also OK or too cold-sensitive?

Thanks again...

Tim

[chris.oz]

Thanks so much for the additional ideas -- there are several types that I hadn't heard of before in any of my "palm quests" (I'm giving "Google image" a real work-out!). As an FYI, I do already have an Archontophoenix purpurea planted but I didn't list it because it isn't a small palm (I've got it in one of the highest canopy areas with a 30'+ ceiling and have one more to find a spot for). And I really like the look of that solitary fish-tail palm (Ptychosperma caryotiodes) as well as the multiple plant configuration suggestion.

Re: the Areca 'red' -- I didn't know there were colorful Arecas that would make it here in zone 9B (?) -- I've got both a maroon and an orange crownshaft type -- are they also OK or too cold-sensitive?

Thanks again...

Tim

Tim,

Palms will grow in shade, but they become very slow and they develop long petioles which arguably make the palms look better. Example: shade grown Trachys vs sun grown. So my advice is: Plant the largest shade grown palm you can get, or basically you will not be around to see it at its best.

[Mark Heath]

My vote is for Chamaedorea Metallica! Very unusal palm and it grows naturally in shade.

[Tyrone]

How about Dypsis crinita. If you've got plenty of moisture, it's an awesome branching palm with soft pinnate leaves that are really red when new. The spear is also red. They hold the red leaf much longer than a Chambeyronia. Mine grow fine in shade here, so in Florida where the ambient heat is higher with much higher humidity, I'd say it would be amazing.

Best regards

Tyrone

[ThunderSRQ]

How about Dypsis crinita. If you've got plenty of moisture, it's an awesome branching palm with soft pinnate leaves that are really red when new. The spear is also red. They hold the red leaf much longer than a Chambeyronia. Mine grow fine in shade here, so in Florida where the ambient heat is higher with much higher humidity, I'd say it would be amazing.

Best regards

Tyrone

Thanks for that suggestion Tyrone (D. crinita does look like a really great palm) -- I'll definitely be "on the hunt" for the these recommended palms at Jeff's upcoming sale!

Tim