Here we go again - creating Pepe'ekeo Palm Paradise

[Hilo Jason]

Thanks to everyone for looking and joining the story of this new garden.  I was able to go through the rest of my photos from my phone and will post them now.  This will get the progress up to date with where the garden is now.   will be posting here and there as more plants go in the ground and palms grow and mature.   Enjoy! 

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I learned that Pinanga Coronata make an incredible privacy hedge in climates like Hawaii.  Thick, upright fronds behave much better in my opinon than something like Dypsis Lutescens for a screen here, although those also do the trick.  I do have a pretty large neighboring house, close to our property line so I have planted Pinanga Coronata, spaced out 4-5' apart, for a length of 120' to one day block out the neighbor house.  

(Beginning stages of planting Pinanga Coronata privacy hedge) 

(Looking the opposite way to the ocean) 

In that photo above you can see what it looks like when the property is freshly mowed and bailed.  When this happens every 4 months or so, I usually "claim" a bit more of the property for my plantings.  I mow it with my riding mower at the lowest setting possible every week or so.  It seems to cut down the tall weedy grasses and allows the local hilo grass to start sprouting and spreading.  The left of the photo above shows this well as I had "claimed" this left strip about a year before and it now has a pretty nice grass lawn feel to it.  Eventually the entire property will be like this.  But for now, while we are not living there, it's a huge blessing to have someone come and mow it every few months at no cost to me, and it gives the property a big tax break as it is being used for Agricultural use.  

Ok, enough details, more palms....

This is another mystery Chrysolidocarpus / Dypsis that I planted on my "trophy" hedge.   Somewhat similar to Sp Bef, but more colorful and seems to have suckered instead of split.  So who knows.  

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A mature Chrysolidocarpus Decipiens set seed here in a private garden.  Jeff Marcus sprouted them and some ended up being hybrids.  I believe that several of these have made it to California.  The owner of the garden these seed came from did say there is a large flowering Onilahensis nearby, so it could be Decpiens x Onilahensis, although it's hard to know for sure as these legacy gardens here have a lot of flowering happening at the same time.  Here's my plant from that batch.  This was planted in my Hilo garden in an area that was becoming too shaded so I dug it up and move it to the full sun of this property and it never skipped a beat.  

[Hilo Jason]

The next regional themed planter idea I wanted to create was Hawaiian / Pacific Islands.  The path way that weaves through the Madagascar planter leads you into this a bit more native planter.  At first I was going to just plant Pritchardia's in this area, but I didn't like the idea of only fan palms being in this large section.  So I decided to use Clinostigma as the alternating plantings to break up the fan palms.  My Hilo garden felt too small to plant the larger Clinostigma species, so I am excited to have the space to do so now. 

(Clinostigma Samonense to be used in the Hawaii / Pacific Island planter area)

(Alternating Clinostigma with various Pritchardia species.  The black pots show placement for more plantings)  Spacing is 30' apart for the Clinostigma and 15' between the Pritchardia)

There are three Island planters that will be incorporated into the Hawaii / Pacific area.  That section then transitions into the Orchard section where we are growing many tropical fruits.  We decided that a couple of dwarf coconuts are a great transition between the Hawaii / Pacific section and the orchard section.  

(Dwarf coconuts, on the left is a Samoan, sprouted from my old Hilo tree before I had to remove it) and the right is supposed to also be a dwarf.  I like the more orange petioles on it) 

The photo above shows the 2 dwarf coconuts (and a couple of Clinostigma Ponapense) planted and then some fruit trees going in behind them.  This is another example of an area of the property that I have claimed for planting.  The nicer grasses are starting to fill in and I mow this every 2 weeks now to keep up with it.  Fruit trees planted so far are: Ulu (breadfruit), White Sapote, Avocado (4 varieties for year long fruit) Soursop, Rollinia and Abiu.  Many more will be planted in this area in the future.  

These photos are now a few months old so I will try to take some updates ones soon to show the progress in this area.  It's hard to get a picture of this entire area in one frame, but I'll see what I can do. 

[Hilo Jason]

Meanwhile, the Ti and companion plants are starting to fill in nicely.  Photo below is from Aug 2022:

Some of the first fence line plantings I did, for eventual privacy, are now filling in nicely.  The fence line on this side was designed with a tall palm spaced out 18' from each other, and then 3 Pinanga Coronata in between the tall palms.  The Pinangas will fill in and give privacy and the taller palms will add the height to the area.  

(Many of these Pinanga Coronata are seed grown from my hedge here in Hilo) 

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Further up that fence line, closer to the road, Chrysolidocarpus sp. Mayotte spaced 18' apart with some Brazilian Red Cloak planted in between them: 

The front planter is filling in nicely, I planted 5 Areca Catecho "Semi Dwarf" in this area and they are all showing varying levels of dwarf-ness which I like.  Beyond the Areca catechu is a small Hyophorbe Verschafeltii, Papaya (volunteer) and then a couple Ravenea Sambiranensis.  

[palmfriend]

Jason,

wow wow wow! First of all congratulations for getting a hand on this beautiful and promising looking piece of land! I am sure that it will turn into a great garden with all the 

work you and your family is doing. Your other beautiful place in Hilo gives already a clue but I am sure this one with all this new space will become a dream of a garden!

I am glad and thankful that you are providing this process here on palmtalk - not just with images, also including us somehow in your thoughts and ideas - a great thread 

I am looking forward to follow!

 

All the best for this new project -

 

Lars 

[Hilo Jason]

I have a put a lot of effort into collecting some favorite plants for lining what will become the driveway.  When we bought this property over 2 years ago, I went to the local nurseries before we even closed escrow and starting filling up my truck with Big Chrysolidocarpus (Dypsis) and other "statement" type palms that I envisioned lining the driveway.  It will be apprx. 300 feet long to the house and the plantings will be spaced out 18' apart on each side.  A few of these palms were starting to bust our of their 15 gallon pots so I decided to bring some out to start the driveway plantings.  I was trying to hold out til it was excavated and the gravel spread, but just couldn't wait anymore.  I did meet with an excavator operator and he assured me that my 18' spacing would be plenty for him to come in and work between.  It is pretty amazing watching those guys work and the precision they can work those large machines with.  That said, I am only planting the first section just to keep it from getting too complicated around the turns and bends, I want those wide open for the machines to do their work and not have to worry about palm casualties.  

Enough talking, here are some of the palms that will line the driveway:
 

First up is another Chrysolidocarpus Lastelliana, there were already 2 larger ones along the fence so this third completes a nice triangle type visual of these:

Unloading the palms ready to go: Chrysolidocarpus Prestonianus Hybrids and Chrysolidocarpus Hovomantsina: 

(L to R: Chrysolidocarpus Prestonianus Hybrid, Chrysolidocarpus Lastelliana)

One of the Chrysolidocarpus Hovomantsina started growing out the bottom of the plant, pushing into the pot, so I planted it sideways with hopes that the "doinker" would grow up, so far so good: 

Looking down the future driveway that will be canopied soon with Big Chrysolidocarpus / Dypsis:

Opposite angle, looking up the property towards the road: 

A bit further down, with a Chrysolidocarpus Mananjarensis planted, this will be one of 3 Mananjarensis in this area: 

[Hilo Jason]

A few random updates: 

(Chrysolidocarpus Robusta Hybrid)

(Front Planter filling in)

(Chrysolidocarpus "Sp Column" / "Sp Knell" / "Sp Glow In The Dark" getting big and colorful

 

[Hilo Jason]

A few closing shots for now.  Some updated overall pictures that show the planters filling in quickly!  

It's amazing to me to witness the growth of the plants in this Hamakua soil!  Also interesting to see the progress of two of our neighbors houses being built in the photos I've posted so far.  We are getting excited to hopefully start building ours before the end of the year and be finished and moved in 2024 sometime.  

I'll leave you with this last photo for now of my riding mower along the bluff in one of my favorite spots where I take a break.  Maybe Cub Cadet will buy this pic from me to use as an ad for their mowers! 😂

Thanks for looking!  More updates as I have them.  

[Rick Kelley]

Glad to see you productively using your rain days. Really eye-popping. You are much further along than I had imagined.  I really need to get up there to see all your work before the whole place grows far beyond the 'Before' stage.  I remember visiting your beautiful Hilo property for the first time several years ago.  Seeing how you had filled a half acre in such a short time, I was quietly thinking to myself, 'This guy is gonna have to get some serious acreage.  Like next week.'  So glad to see how you found the perfect property to keep you busy for at least a few more years..  Of course, I am very envious of the deep soil.  I'm sure this is going to join the club of great palm gardens along with Carlsmith's old place, the former Lundkvist property, Casa de Las Palmas, and the other incredible gardens on the island.  This tread will become required reading for new arrivals for many years to come.  Maybe we should make a PT reading list for all new HIPS members.

Soon after I first moved to the Big Island, I visited Karolyn Lundkvist to see her amazing garden.  When I arrived, she was cleaning weeds off the rock walls around her property with a pretty intimidating flamethrower, something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. It was connected to a five gallon propane tank mounted on a mobile cart she wheeled around the garden.  Karolyn explained she did not like using herbicides.  I thought, 'Holy crap! This woman does not mess around with half measures.  I definitely do not want to cross her!'  Ten years later I now wish I had a flamethrower for all my rock walls.  In another year or two you may be shopping for flamethrowers yourself.

[Tracy]

14 hours ago, Hilo Jason said:

It's amazing to me to witness the growth of the plants in this Hamakua soil!  Also interesting to see the progress of two of our neighbors houses being built in the photos I've posted so far.  We are getting excited to hopefully start building ours before the end of the year and be finished and moved in 2024 sometime.  

Great photos Jason, but..... they can't do it justice.  Before visiting I didn't really get the soil thing.   After seeing how others are working with an almost complete absence of soil and growing spectacular specimens and then seeing the soil you have up at this place, it all registers.  It was amazing to see all the growth in this garden in such a short time since you started it. 

I appreciate the attention to the planting plan you have come up with.  I like the theme of planting palms from regions together in the islands you are creating on the property.  It will be great once you get moved in and can dabble in the yard without having to drive there from your Hilo home, although it really isn't a long drive by California standards.   Congratulations on this gem.  We hope all goes well with the permitting and construction so you can get in soon.  We will be back for a follow up visit eventually and expect it won't look like this from your entrance anymore.  Thanks again for all the advice on our trip and introductions!

 

[Patrick]

@Hilo Jason Really cool thread in a great part of the island! Is your cliff pretty tall at the edge there? I'm guessing like about 100'? Pretty views and the easement thing is a cool bonus! Have fun! Looking forward to following this thread.

 

By any chance, would you be willing to PM me and tell me more about the local guy with the huge bush hog mower and bailer? We are actually, sort of, neighbors in the same situation you were/ are in. Our property is about 15 miles past you toward Waimaea. We haven't jumped over there just yet- stuck in California like you were. We also have nothing but grass and it REALLY needs to be chopped. I kind of owe it to the neighbors, I think. Our spot is on Keehia place. Maybe your guy would be willing to chop our spot, too.  Thanks for the info. and good luck in your adventure!

[Hilo Jason]

1 hour ago, Patrick said:

@Hilo Jason Really cool thread in a great part of the island! Is your cliff pretty tall at the edge there? I'm guessing like about 100'? Pretty views and the easement thing is a cool bonus! Have fun! Looking forward to following this thread.

 

By any chance, would you be willing to PM me and tell me more about the local guy with the huge bush hog mower and bailer? We are actually, sort of, neighbors in the same situation you were/ are in. Our property is about 15 miles past you toward Waimaea. We haven't jumped over there just yet- stuck in California like you were. We also have nothing but grass and it REALLY needs to be chopped. I kind of owe it to the neighbors, I think. Our spot is on Keehia place. Maybe your guy would be willing to chop our spot, too.  Thanks for the info. and good luck in your adventure!

I'd guess that the bluff directly behind our house is 40' or so.  We are on the lower side of the subdivision.  Other places its twice as high.  I will PM you about the mowing / bailing 

 

[Hilo Jason]

19 hours ago, Rick Kelley said:

Glad to see you productively using your rain days. Really eye-popping. You are much further along than I had imagined.  I really need to get up there to see all your work before the whole place grows far beyond the 'Before' stage.  I remember visiting your beautiful Hilo property for the first time several years ago.  Seeing how you had filled a half acre in such a short time, I was quietly thinking to myself, 'This guy is gonna have to get some serious acreage.  Like next week.'  So glad to see how you found the perfect property to keep you busy for at least a few more years..  Of course, I am very envious of the deep soil.  I'm sure this is going to join the club of great palm gardens along with Carlsmith's old place, the former Lundkvist property, Casa de Las Palmas, and the other incredible gardens on the island.  This tread will become required reading for new arrivals for many years to come.  Maybe we should make a PT reading list for all new HIPS members.

Soon after I first moved to the Big Island, I visited Karolyn Lundkvist to see her amazing garden.  When I arrived, she was cleaning weeds off the rock walls around her property with a pretty intimidating flamethrower, something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. It was connected to a five gallon propane tank mounted on a mobile cart she wheeled around the garden.  Karolyn explained she did not like using herbicides.  I thought, 'Holy crap! This woman does not mess around with half measures.  I definitely do not want to cross her!'  Ten years later I now wish I had a flamethrower for all my rock walls.  In another year or two you may be shopping for flamethrowers yourself.

Thanks for the kind words Rick!  Hopefully you can come and see it in person soon, whenever this rain stops.   
I like that flamethrower idea for weeds.  I have never sprayed in my Hilo garden.  I hand weed and smother with mulch and that always does the trick.  I tried that same approach in Pepeekeo and it's like the weeds laughed at me.  I put down up to a foot of mulch in some areas and instead of smothering the weeds, they seemed to super charge their growth.  So I have had to do some spraying just to get it under control.  And some areas I am just living with some weeds.  The property is too large to manicure it like a smaller garden and I've had to become ok with that.  

[Hilo Jason]

5 hours ago, Tracy said:

Great photos Jason, but..... they can't do it justice.  Before visiting I didn't really get the soil thing.   After seeing how others are working with an almost complete absence of soil and growing spectacular specimens and then seeing the soil you have up at this place, it all registers.  It was amazing to see all the growth in this garden in such a short time since you started it. 

I appreciate the attention to the planting plan you have come up with.  I like the theme of planting palms from regions together in the islands you are creating on the property.  It will be great once you get moved in and can dabble in the yard without having to drive there from your Hilo home, although it really isn't a long drive by California standards.   Congratulations on this gem.  We hope all goes well with the permitting and construction so you can get in soon.  We will be back for a follow up visit eventually and expect it won't look like this from your entrance anymore.  Thanks again for all the advice on our trip and introductions!

 

Tracy - it was great having you guys out here for a visit.  You enjoyed the last of our dry sunny weather.  The plants are loving all of this much needed rain we are getting now, but I could use a break soon!  
Looking forward to having you out again when the house is finished and garden is more dialed in. 

[surfermatt]

Absolutely awesome. Insane location. Can’t wait to see how it turns out in a few years! 

[Billy]

On 2/19/2023 at 2:30 PM, Hilo Jason said:

Thanks Billy, if you're ever out this way, you're more than welcome to come and see the place

Mahalo for the invite! I've never been to the Big Island so when I do I'll definitely reach out to come by! 

[Hilo Jason]

22 hours ago, surfermatt said:

Absolutely awesome. Insane location. Can’t wait to see how it turns out in a few years! 

Thanks Matt, if you're ever on the Big Island and want to check it out, let me know

[BigFrond]

Wow! With that soil, it is way too easy for you.  The plants and trees will be lush and bigger than normal in tropical paradise.  You're quite the plantsman in your old Fallbrook garden.

[Hilo Jason]

I haven’t planted much as we’re finalizing house plans now and waiting for some groundwork to be done. Once that happens, I will have plenty of planting to do and will update as I go. 

Just wanted to post a few photos I took these week while spending some time at the property. 

Front planter is filling in!

New Caledonia planter that I’ve been working on clearing out the middle so there will be a 5’ wide pathway through the middle. Entering between 2 Kentiopsis Pyriformis:

the pathway through “New Caledonia” is 30’ long and end between two small Chambeyronia Houailou:

[Hilo Jason]

Side angle of “New Caledonia” planter:

 

Madagascar planter:

Dypsis / Chrysalidocarpus  sp Ambanja:

Chrysalidocarpus Robusta Hybrid:

[Hilo Jason]

The newest member of our family, Suubi, checking out her new yard. This poor girl was tied to a pole and abandoned. She now has acres to run wild on!

chrysolidocarpus Hovomantsina hybrid:

dypsis sp??

thanks for looking!

[96720]

love this palm is it really that colorful or is that the sun 

[Tracy]

54 minutes ago, 96720 said:

love this palm is it really that colorful or is that the sun 

Since the adjacent plants are true to color,  Jason would have had to use Photoshop or other software to exaggerate or change the color.  I am certain he did not.  A very striking palm.

Pretty amazing that all your filler plants came from cuttings and starts from your Hilo place and have already filled in Jason.  Things look great and appear to have grown since our visit 3 months ago!

[Barry]

Jason,

Incredible job and growth rate, at times I think Florida has good growth rates, but not like that! Can’t wait to see future pics and expansions. Keep up the great work.

Barry

[palmfriend]

Jason,

 

Again many thanks for the update! As @Barry has just mentioned - the growth rate of your plants and palms is just amazing! 

An update every other week and I have to rubb my eyes to believe that this is real...

Please keep up the good work!

 

Lars 

 

[Hilo Jason]

16 hours ago, 96720 said:

love this palm is it really that colorful or is that the sun 

I love it too and it continues to get more and more colorful as it grows. It’s unreal! It’s a very special plant as it was collected as seed by a friend in Madagascar.  Hoping to have seed from it down the road to get it into more gardens. 

[Hilo Jason]

15 hours ago, Tracy said:

Since the adjacent plants are true to color,  Jason would have had to use Photoshop or other software to exaggerate or change the color.  I am certain he did not.  A very striking palm.

Pretty amazing that all your filler plants came from cuttings and starts from your Hilo place and have already filled in Jason.  Things look great and appear to have grown since our visit 3 months ago!

Tracy - there has definitely been some growth after getting 40+” of rain in March and then a warm april so far. Plants are going crazy with that combination. I actually just had to thin a bunch of Ti plants out of this garden and give to a friend. Funny since just a year or so ago I was bringing Ti cuttings into this garden, now I have way more than I need! 

[Palm Tree Jim]

Looking great Jason!

Your garden is inspiration to me to when I can finally begin mine.

[Tracy]

6 hours ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

Looking great Jason!

Your garden is inspiration to me to when I can finally begin mine.

We are looking forward to you starting a thread like this Jim.  Lots of Central and South American natives you will likely be growing. 

[Hilo Jason]

9 hours ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

Looking great Jason!

Your garden is inspiration to me to when I can finally begin mine.

Thanks Jim!  Have you made the move to Costa Rica?  I remember you telling me years ago that that was your plan one day. 

[Palm Tree Jim]

2 hours ago, Tracy said:

We are looking forward to you starting a thread like this Jim.  Lots of Central and South American natives you will likely be growing. 

 

2 minutes ago, Hilo Jason said:

Thanks Jim!  Have you made the move to Costa Rica?  I remember you telling me years ago that that was your plan one day. 

I moved full time to the South Pacific of Costa Rica in November of 2021. We have been building a home over the past year and we hope to have it completed over the next couple of months.

As for my garden, it needs to wait until construction is complete. However, I have been acquiring plants, so my "container garden" is moving forward. 

But yes, I will start a thread like Jason has and share my experience!

 

[CardiffPalmNut]

Jason what an amazing start you have to your new garden!

[CLINODAVE]

Spectacular, of course😊!  You guys are amazing to have saved Suubi, given her a wonderful life!

[Hilo Jason]

On 4/21/2023 at 2:21 AM, 96720 said:

love this palm is it really that colorful or is that the sun 

This palm is now flowering! 

 

[Hilo Jason]

I haven’t planted too much lately because we were waiting for our building permits to be approved so we could start the major project of installing our 300 foot long driveway and then building our house. 
 

Our plans were approved a month or so ago so it was time to bring in the machinery and get to work. The local company we hired came highly recommended.  They brought out a D4 bulldozer and a medium sized excavator for the project.

I had already started planting out some of my driveway palms and it was incredible to see their skill of working around my plants.  They needed to dig a foot and a half of soil out, then spin 180 degrees around (over my palms) and drop the dirt behind them. 

The dug out area was then filled with 2 feet of rock and compacted over and over to build the driveway / road.

The driveway palms were planted 18 feet apart from each other, any closer and I don’t think it would have been possible to not damage any of them.

They continued to bring in 22 ton loads of rock and work their way down the property to where the house / garage will be.

 

[Hilo Jason]

Working their way down:

As they got to the curved area about half way down, they built up that area with all of the excess dirt, compacting as they went and then brought in some bigger rock to really pack in this area. The land originally slopes down quite a bit and we wanted to level it out for drainage reasons and to have less drop in the driveway as well as a more level approach to the garage. From the picture below you can see that it’s been built up about 6 feet in height from the ground below. 
 

More rock, it ended up being almost 20 full truck loads. 

And here’s a look from the entrance gate with all the rock down. 

I’m eager to plant the rest of the driveway palms, but will wait til the foundation and framing work is done. I don’t want to take any chances with material loads being delivered. In the meanwhile, I have it plotted out and have spots for 20 more big Dypsis / Chrysalidocarpus that will line the driveway. 

[Hilo Jason]

I mentioned leveling off the approach to the garage and part of that turned into some major excavating to prepare a level pad for the garage area. The lot needed to be cut out and terraced. We went with a circular shape that flows well with the driveway. It’s 2 levels and will have lava rock retaining walls built up against the cuts. The lower wall is about 200 feet long so this is going to be a major project!  Upper wall is 150 feet. I’m looking forward to landscaping these terraced planters with some of our favorite palms. You can see where I have been planting a row of Pinanga Coronata along the fence line with the neighbor. Most of these were grown from seed from my palms here in Hilo. These grow fast here in full sun and make a great hedge for our future privacy (and the neighbors). 

looking the opposite way:

 

[Hilo Jason]

I’ll close with a few random garden shots of what’s caught my eye at the property lately. 
 

2 Kentiopsis Pyriformis in the New Cal planter:

Madagascar planter:

ravenea sambiranensis:

Chrysalidocarpus  Leucomalla:

Chrysalidocarpus Robusta Hybrid (after I cut off one of the trunks to make it a double):

Chrysalidocarpus mystery:

colorful flower spathe:

Chrysalidocarpus Decipiens hybrid:

thanks for looking!

[Palmiz]

8 minutes ago, Hilo Jason said:

I’ll close with a few random garden shots of what’s caught my eye at the property lately. 
 

2 Kentiopsis Pyriformis in the New Cal planter:

Madagascar planter:

ravenea sambiranensis:

Chrysalidocarpus  Leucomalla:

Chrysalidocarpus Robusta Hybrid (after I cut off one of the trunks to make it a double):

Chrysalidocarpus mystery:

colorful flower spathe:

Chrysalidocarpus Decipiens hybrid:

thanks for looking!

Coming along very nice!! Can't wait for the finished product, I'm sure you can't as well.  It's gonna be botanical garden in years to come 😜

[happypalms]

I can see your vision you have I did the same 25 years ago nice block of land 

[iDesign]

5 hours ago, Hilo Jason said:

Chrysalidocarpus Decipiens hybrid:

Wow, that's grown a lot! This is the same plant as the one in the following thread, correct? If so, please post a copy there as well (if you don't mind). It's fun for those of us who own one to get a possible glimpse into the future!