Tropicals & Tender Perennials: 'Phoenix' bird or paradise, 0 by dyzzypyxxy

dyzzypyxxy wrote:
Phil they all look wonderful. I'm going to start some from my seeds after seeing your success.

I'm a bit worried about how close together you've planted the babies, though. They look fine now, but by next summer you're going to have a really gorgeous multi-colored hedge! If you want them to be 'specimen' shrubs they need to be at least 10ft apart. Also the big daddy is awfully close to the house there! Root incursion into your irrigation system or under the slab in future years will be an issue. Need to keep big shrubs and trees at least 5ft. away from the house.

Yes, my pool does create a bit of a 'micro-climate' around it in winter. We don't heat it but it stays fairly warm from the sun because it has a dark finish. Still, at 6ft. away from the pool your little plants aren't going to get much heat. Keep some old towels handy for the cold nights this winter!

My plant has survived the last two cold winters without any protection, though. It's on a northeast fence corner exposed to the cold winds, too.