Top Five must have palms in Coastal Souther Cal

[Oside92054]

Hi everyone i'm new here and wanted to say hello to all of you!!! My wife and I are huge palm lovers and have been slowly growing our garden for the last five years. We live on the coast in northern San Diego. We have our favorites but my question to all of you is what are your favorites and what are in your opinion the must-have's? 

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!!

[rprimbs]

That is a tough one.

Caryota gigas??

Bismarkia nobilis??

These two can get a bit big.

 

Dypsis decipiens

Hedyscepe canterburyana

Chambeyronia macrocarpa

Rhopalostylis baurei or sapida

 

 

 

[rprimbs]

Other good palms are:

Caryota urens

Dypsis leptocheilos

Dypsis prestoniana

A clumping Dypsis -- like Dypsis lutescens, baronii, etc.

Parajubea torallyi, or sunkha, 

Dypsis decaryi (triangle palm)

There are great Brahea's, Pritchardia, Roystonea, Trachycarpus, and different forms of Chamaerops humilis

And all sorts of hybrids like "Foxy Lady", "Red Triangles", "White Triangles", and "Mule Palms"

 

Edited October 5, 2015 by rprimbs

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

If i could only have 5:

Bismarckia nobilis, dypsis decipiens, dypsis leptocheilos,  Pritchardia glabrata, clinostigma savoryanum

[quaman58]

I'll second Hedyscepe; slow but awesome. 

Some version of Dypsis onilihensis

Some Pritchardia; beccariana is cool & grows quickly. So does hillebrandii

Chambeyronia macrocarpa var hookerii

Roystonea for speed & size

Rhopalostylis as a bonus..

[Darold Petty]

My choice palm is Hedyscepe.  Worth the wait,... every coastal California palm garden should have this palm.

[BS Man about Palms]

Many of the above are great palms. Maybe you can visit what I have growing in the same zipcode...

[trioderob]

copernicia

[Hammer]

Depends on what you define as coastal.   I am 6 miles from the beach but my Hedyscepe really struggles here due to heat. 

For my area I really like...

Kentiopsis oliviformis  (has been a winner for me this hot summer)

Hyophorbe indica

Ptychosperma elegans 

Bentinckia condapanna 

Beccariophoenix alfredii 

Chambyronia 

Bismarkia

Howea forsteriana  (common but lovely in coastal areas)

Dypsis leptocheilos 

Ravenea glauca 

[Tassie_Troy1971]

I have visited many palm collectors on the So Cal coast from San clemente - Encinitas and my top 5 would be !

Hedyscepe canterburyana

Howea forsteriana and belmoreana

Rhopalostylis sapida and Baueri /cheesmanii

Chambeyronia macrocarpa

Dypsis ambositre

Troy

 

[Oside92054]

Thank you all for the replies!! At this point we have many of the palms listed and are in a remodeling phase so to speak. My wife designed our property to mimic a small resort we stayed at in Costa Rica. Unfortunately when we first began planting we had many large spaces to fill and and the chief financial officer otherwise known as my wife initiated a spending freeze. The result was several of our planters were filled with trees that were either free or inexpensive (robelinis and kings) 

At this point two of the three large areas have been replanted and I am just now starting on the third.  Our home is about  a mile from the ocean and the area faces west/southwest. Currently it  has one large Caryota Gigas in the center with several smaller plants around it. After I am done removing i will have space for 5-6 trees. Of the species mentioned above my top choice would be Hedyscepe. At this point posting pictures is beyond my pay grade but I am working on it. 

I appreciate all the feedback and will keep all of you posted as to the progress!!

Thanks so much!

Sean

[Ben in Norcal]

I have visited many palm collectors on the So Cal coast from San clemente - Encinitas and my top 5 would be !

Hedyscepe canterburyana

Howea forsteriana and belmoreana

Rhopalostylis sapida and Baueri /cheesmanii

Chambeyronia macrocarpa

Dypsis ambositre

Troy

 

Just to be clear, that is seven Troy! 

[Peter G]

For those who suggested Dypsis Leptocheilos, in my coastal Perth garden, they look awful, but they grow well inland around Perth,

[Dorian]

I'm with Peter on this.  Leptocheilos has been a struggle on the SoCal coast for me.  It wants way more sun.  Just a few miles inland and they'd be a lot happier.

Same with hyophorbe indica.  I've rotted out every one I've tried on the coast.

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

I'm with Peter on this.  Leptocheilos has been a struggle on the SoCal coast for me.  It wants way more sun.  Just a few miles inland and they'd be a lot happier.

Same with hyophorbe indica.  I've rotted out every one I've tried on the coast.

I am 4 miles inland and my Hedy's can't take any sun. Ropy sapida does better but burns as do my kentia, burretiokentia hapala, chamby macrocarpa and Bentinckia condapanna. All those are also slow growing for me. My teddys in contrast love the sun and are much faster

[Josh-O]

dypsis-dypsis and more dypsis.

 

Ok, a nicely grown Hedy is a very good recommendation and I concur  

 

are planning on planting any canopy trees for the fun under-story stuff?

[Sabal Steve]

I would say a Bismark and a D. leptochielos.  Those are so unique.  Hedescepes are awesome too.  I would also recommend one of the palms that throws read fronds.

[Briank]

If I lived on Coast like you these would be my 5.   I'm 5-6 miles away however I can't grow some that you could.  

 

Canary Island Date Palm. 

Bismarkia noblis 

Chambeyronia Macrocarpa 

Kentiopsis O. 

Roystonea Regia (Royal Palm) 

 

[Oside92054]

By far the most impressive tree we have in our garden at this point is a Dypsi Leptochielios. I planted it as a 5 gallon five years ago and today it has 5 feet of trunk. It is in a south facing planter next to our house. All of our Hyphorbe's are doing great as well. I will try and post pictures asap.

 

[Oside92054]

Dypsis Lanceolota

Dypsis Leptochielios and Dypsis Saint LuceiBismarkia NobilisHowea Fosterenia (2), Woodyetia, Vietchia Arocina, Vietchia McDanielsii, Buretia Kentia Hapala

Cyphophenix Nucele

[Peter G]

Nice Dypsis Leptocheilos, mine only hold 1 or 2 decent fronds, but those are yellow anyway. The cold salty winds damage them during Winter.

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

Dypsis Lanceolota

Dypsis Leptochielios and Dypsis Saint LuceiBismarkia NobilisHowea Fosterenia (2), Woodyetia, Vietchia Arocina, Vietchia McDanielsii, Buretia Kentia Hapala

Cyphophenix Nucele

nice!

[BS Man about Palms]

Hi Sean! I remember your place!! I was with Mark McGinnis one of the last times he visited. If we can't hook up, get Mark to drive you by.

[Briank]

Are you using rocks as ground cover? I've been experimenting and have a lot of ground cover yet to put down. My grass is starting to take over again need to get back out and pull and lay something.  Was going to use mulch.  Not sure if i can ever keep the crap grass or grass away 

[Josh-O]

round up works wonder on crap grass and weeds

[Rafael]

Try also the euterpe edulis and dont miss the r. Rivularis.

[barefoot_yank]

I'll have to agree with Caryotas Gigas, but remember, they only live about 10 - 15 years, but oh man, those are beautiful years. Chambeyronia Macrocarpa are beautiful as well and grow pretty easily, if a bit slow. A bit off topic, you may look into getting some Schizolobiums as well. They add a wonderful tropical look and a quick growing, tall canopy.

[Oside92054]

We used to have a house in Lake Havasu city and loved the look of the rocks in all of the planters. It gave a great accent color to the different plants and flowers we grew there. We originally put the rock in to for the ease of up keep. As Josh said a little roundup goes a long way.

As time has gone on I have wondered weather or not the rocks actually insulate the soil and keep the roots of the plants warmer thus creating a better environment for growing. A friend of mine came up with the theory one day and I was wondering if anyone here had the same or similar experience.

 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

From what I understand, Round Up is made by the same company that made Agent Orange, so I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, even if you paid me!  The environmental effects of it are horrible, not to mention what it potentially does to the user despite any safety claims of the manufacturer!

[Tracy]

On 10/5/2015, 7:14:40, Oside92054 said:

At this point two of the three large areas have been replanted and I am just now starting on the third.  Our home is about  a mile from the ocean and the area faces west/southwest. Currently it  has one large Caryota Gigas in the center with several smaller plants around it. After I am done removing i will have space for 5-6 trees.

Based on the photos, you have a pretty good idea of what you like as well as nice variety.  That Caryota gigas will end up taking quite a bit of space, as well as creating some canopy which may constrain your selections between sun loving and shade preferring species.  My house in Carlsbad about .6 miles east of the So. Carlsbad Campgrounds has a C gigas about 15 years old now and it creates a lot of filtered sunlight area.  So based on what I didn't see you have already a couple for full sun on the coast: Dypsis prestoniana, some Copernecia, Psuedophoenix, and for shaded areas I like Chambeyronia hookerii and one of the clumping Dypsis varieties (another lanceolata, pembana, etc.).  That's 5 and other than the lanceolata, I didn't see any of the others already in your collection.  Someone also suggested Kentiopsis oliviformis, which has been an excellent performer in both Carlsbad and Leucadia for me.

33° 4' 41.5452'' N 117° 18' 17.7192'' W

[DoomsDave]

Top 5?

Top 55 more like it.

Dypsis ambositrae, decipiens, arenarum, albofarinosa, basilonga, baronii, psammophila, onilahensis droopy, onilahensis stiffy, "sp595", lanceolata, lepto-[expletive]-cheilos[!], plumosa, utilis, fibrosa, crinita  . . . . (16)

Chambeyronea hookeri and macrocarpa (2)

Kentiopsis oliviformis and pyriformis (2)

Parajubaea sunkha, tor-tor and cocoides (3)

Chamadorea metallica, ernest-augustii, hooperiana, plumosa, glaucifolia, radicalis tree, radicalis bush, benzeii, "cordoba", microspadix, woodsoniana (11)

Hedyscepe!

Howea forsteriana!

Beccariophoenix alfredii and madagascarensis (no window) (2)

Livistona decipiens, drudeii, australis, (3)

Archontophoenix tuckeri, maxima, myolensis (3)

Pritchardtia martii, minor, "lanaiensis" (3)

Roystonea regia, borenquenia, princeps (3)

Syagrus schizophylla, coronata, sancona, (3)

Wallichia distichia, densiflora (2)

Caryota mitis

Arenga engleri,

Ravenea glauca, hildebrandtii

Brahea Al Franken, armata, dulcis, "Super [expltive] Silver!"

for starters.

 

 

[Danilopez89]

4 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

Top 5?

Top 55 more like it.

Dypsis ambositrae, decipiens, arenarum, albofarinosa, basilonga, baronii, psammophila, onilahensis droopy, onilahensis stiffy, "sp595", lanceolata, lepto-[expletive]-cheilos[!], plumosa, utilis, fibrosa, crinita  . . . . (16)

Chambeyronea hookeri and macrocarpa (2)

Kentiopsis oliviformis and pyriformis (2)

Parajubaea sunkha, tor-tor and cocoides (3)

Chamadorea metallica, ernest-augustii, hooperiana, plumosa, glaucifolia, radicalis tree, radicalis bush, benzeii, "cordoba", microspadix, woodsoniana (11)

Hedyscepe!

Howea forsteriana!

Beccariophoenix alfredii and madagascarensis (no window) (2)

Livistona decipiens, drudeii, australis, (3)

Archontophoenix tuckeri, maxima, myolensis (3)

Pritchardtia martii, minor, "lanaiensis" (3)

Roystonea regia, borenquenia, princeps (3)

Syagrus schizophylla, coronata, sancona, (3)

Wallichia distichia, densiflora (2)

Caryota mitis

Arenga engleri,

Ravenea glauca, hildebrandtii

Brahea Al Franken, armata, dulcis, "Super [expltive] Silver!"

for starters.

 

 

How did you narrow it down to just a few? 

[Stevetoad]

Trick question. You can't pick just five. 

[Tracy]

49 minutes ago, Stevetoad said:

Trick question. You can't pick just five. 

 With limited space, O'side92054 may have to pick just 5 for now.....that was his challenge.  Something many of us struggle with on smaller lots.  Wish I had room for all the item's on Dave's "55 list", and multiples of some of the items on it.  I'll confess to having planted plenty of things too close and struggling with the decision when the time comes of which to remove, and it's a mistake I'll likely make again.  Maybe that is some of the fun though, tearing out something to make room for the new.

[Matt in OC]

I'm not sure these are my top 5, but they haven't been mentioned yet and have been super easy grows for me:

Pinanga coronata

Licuala ramsayii

Cyphophoenix elegans

Dypsis madagascarensis/mahajanga

Veitchia arecina

The Pinanga and Licuala in particular are small, cold hardy, and didn't skip a beat in the mid 30s this winter. Plus, they are unique and look wonderfully tropical compared to the other stuff around. More plugs for the new-cal stuff (Cyphophoenix, Kentiopsis, etc.): they love mild weather and seem to just keep on chugging through our winters. There are tons of other great suggestions listed above, but I didn't see these mentioned yet.

[DoomsDave]

4 hours ago, Tracy said:

 With limited space, O'side92054 may have to pick just 5 for now.....that was his challenge.  Something many of us struggle with on smaller lots.  Wish I had room for all the item's on Dave's "55 list", and multiples of some of the items on it.  I'll confess to having planted plenty of things too close and struggling with the decision when the time comes of which to remove, and it's a mistake I'll likely make again.  Maybe that is some of the fun though, tearing out something to make room for the new.

Unless you're in a flat on Kur'dam, you could put all the palms in my longer list in your garden in so-Cal.

[Stevetoad]

5 hours ago, Tracy said:

 With limited space, O'side92054 may have to pick just 5 for now.....that was his challenge.  Something many of us struggle with on smaller lots.  Wish I had room for all the item's on Dave's "55 list", and multiples of some of the items on it.  I'll confess to having planted plenty of things too close and struggling with the decision when the time comes of which to remove, and it's a mistake I'll likely make again.  Maybe that is some of the fun though, tearing out something to make room for the new.

I know the small lot problem. My strategy was jam them all in and remove the ones that do poorly. Not as many as I thought did bad so now it's a bit cramped but I like that look. If you ever want to see what you can cram into 6700sf let me know.  

[Xerarch]

I haven't seen Ceroxylon mentioned yet

[Tracy]

11 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

Unless you're in a flat on Kur'dam, you could put all the palms in my longer list in your garden in so-Cal.

You've convinced me.  I'm going on a shopping spree for more palms this year!!!

[nachocarl]

Syagrus romanzolffiana

Washingtonia robusta

Phoenix roebelenii

Trachyacarpus fortunei

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana….(underwatered)