The new California Jungle

[iwan]

A reality check for those of us in zone 9 this weekend.  It may come to this, for those of us that want a jungle look in zone 9.  To quote Wal:

I hope it inspires others to give a crack at a jungle. I'm totally aware of specie limitations, but you could still do the same thing with what does grow for you, mix it around etc etc.

I took these pictures on New Years Eve at a local nursery and the effect (even though they are common palms) is interesting.  This is actually a growing bed at the nursery, but they mixed things up for interest instead of rows of palms.  They planted this out about three years ago, so obviously there were some specimen palms added in, but most were 5g size when planted.

It is about 200' x 40'

[iwan]

A hybrid?  We don't see a lot of clumping Phoenix species here.

Obviously, this isn't well thought out for a garden as these plams (especially the Phoenix) mature, but using slow Phoenix as temporary understory palms is interesting.  Would need to be spiced up with some bamboos, hardy ginger, canna, banana and airoids for interest.

Even though I will continue to push zones, the reality of once a decade freezes where even Queen and Washingtonias are at risk makes sense financially.

[paulgila]

i think its a good example of a "jungle look" done well,even though the individual plants are "common".

very pleasant-looking!