Bill Austin Garden 2025 (Big Island Hawaii)

[Hilo Jason]

I had the opportunity to spend the morning with Bill Austin in his garden recently and wanted to share some photos here.  Bill is and has always been extremely welcoming with his garden and has spent countless hours with me over the years. I am so thankful for that time and he has been a huge influence on my own garden. 
 

I will try to list IDs with many of these photos but might miss some. 

Enjoy!

one of many Chrysalidocarpus Prestonianus

Chrysalidocarpus Malcomberi (one of many forms)

another C. Prestonianus 

Orania ??

a monster Chrysalidocarpus Carlsmithii that can’t support the weight of its own branches.  This palm has been on PalmTalk many times and is incredible to see in person. 
 

 

 

[Hilo Jason]

Chrysalidocarpus Hovomantsina 

driveway lined with Chrysalidocarpus Madagascariensis 

another angle of C. Carlsmithii

irriartea, Clinostigma, pigafetta 

[Hilo Jason]

 

Chrysalidocarpus Hankona 

Chrysalidocarpus Mijoroana

 

a grove of Marojejya Darianii!!

[Hilo Jason]

pritchardia, Pinanga Caesia, Marojejya 

marojejya insignis

Bismarckia with Bill on his lawnmower for scale!

Carpoxylon Macrospermum

carpoxylon with pigafetta towering behind them

[Hilo Jason]

Areca catechu “alba”

voaniola gerardii 

C. Hovomantsina 

dwarf Areca catechu, Chrysalidocarpus Ambositrae (on left)

headless Caryota, pigafetta, Areca catechu dwarf 

[Hilo Jason]

another Marojejya Darianii

C. Hovomantsina 

Kentiopsis Oliviformis 

Cyphophoenix alba with lemurophoenix behind it 

Clinosperma Macrocarpa!! (New cal holy grail!!) 

Clinosperma with my shoe for scale 

[Hilo Jason]

kentiopsis pyriformis

kentiopsis piersoniorum (with pyroformis behind it) 

C. Malcomberi, C. Carlsmithii. K. Pyriformis

a row of Ravenea Sambiranensis 

Chrysalidocarpus Ambositrae on right, not sure about palm on left. 

[Hilo Jason]

C. Ambositrae, C. Mananjarensis 

C. Robusta 

Verschafeltii 

cyphophoenix alba, pigafetta behind

lemurophoenix

 

[Hilo Jason]

acanthophoenix rubra 

another angle of voaniola gerardii

Ravenea dransfieldii (I think) 

joeys

[Hilo Jason]

Cyphosperma naboutinense

Chrysalidocarpus “metallic ovobontsira”

Cyphophoenix alba with joeys

cyphophoenix alba

 

thanks for looking and special thanks to Bill for always opening up his garden to share! 

[happypalms]

Thanks for posting incredible palms. A man with a vision living out his dream. 

[Billeb]

48 minutes ago, Hilo Jason said:

 

kentiopsis piersoniorum

@Hilo Jason To single out a favorite is an impossibility but it’s fantastic to see a mature Piersoniorum! I was just telling @Palmiz the other day I’ve never seen one. Mine is many years away from looking 1/2 that good but a guy can dream can’t he? 
 

Thanks for the pics. Island gardens are insane. 
 

-dale 

[tim_brissy_13]

Wow!

[CB Lisa]

Thank you, Jason, for all the great photos and allowing us to tour Bill’s place vicariously.

And the very best regards to Bill... You’ve created such a special slice of paradise  there. Something to be proud of! 

[Kim]

Thanks for the extended tour, Jason and Bill! It's been a few years since I visited, time slips away, and the palms have grown. Nice to see the bus is still there. Bill has always amazed with his collection and growing skills, always a gentleman, and very generous sharing his knowledge and plants. I am awed by the photos, thanks for sharing.

[palmfriend]

This whole thread is eye candy!

Jason, thank you very much for sharing with us and great thanks to Mr. Austin for his great efforts to the palm world!

Lars

[donpachino1983]

Thank you ,thank you,  thank you, incredible pics 

[realarch]

Thanks Jason, never tire of Bill’s garden, either through photos or in person. Bill is so mellow that wandering his garden is a self guided relaxing experience. No matter how many times you visit, you always see something new. So many of the palms in my garden were acquired from Bill, there was no shortage of amazing species to choose from. My pick-up truck could make the trip to his place from memory.

Tim

[Jonathan Haycock]

What an incredible garden, and stunning palms. Thoroughly enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for posting Jason.

[Billy]

Incredible virtual garden tour. I appreciate my Dypsis "black stem" even more now knowing that the seed came from Bill. Thanks for sharing!

[The Gerg]

On 3/16/2025 at 7:18 PM, Billeb said:

Thanks for the pics. Island gardens are insane. 

Ditto to this. I can only dream of these gardens.
 

Thanks for sharing Bills garden with us Jason. Such a great tour.

[Husain]

Beautifull garden and stunning palms. Thanks for sharing.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Amazing collection 

Thanks for posting