Suggestions needed for a "non-blooming" plant

We just had two humongous sago palms removed. One was located inside the screened-in pool area, next to the screened door, and the other was just outside and on the other side of the screened door. We were always getting injured by them, and finally decided that they were just too dangerous to keep. Too many people, and grandkids, getting impaled by those sharp needles.

Now I need to replace them with something else, and here's my problem. I can't have anything inside the pool area that attracts hummingbirds. They fly at break neck speeds into that screen to get to the flowers, and become stuck in the screen. I've never found a live one, so it probably breaks their necks. It just made me sick, so a few years ago I removed all flowering plants to see it that would have any impact. It worked, and for the last several years we haven't lost any hummers to the screen.

I'm racking my brain, and I know there must be a simple solution, but I'm blank. Can you all help me with suggestions? We set our potted meyer lemon outside the screen, but need something for inside the pool area. A shrub would be my preference, I think. Something larger, but not too wide so as not to get in the way of that screened door. The area is in almost full sun, until about three o'clock.

Here is a photo of the sago palm four years ago - it had grown much larger. This will give you an idea of the space available for a new plant. Thanks so much for any help...

A shot of the outside sago four years ago, with its new growth. You can see the other sago to the left of the door, inside the screen. I tried keeping the ends clipped off, but they were just too big. They were in place when we moved in 13 years ago, and someone didn't realize how big they would eventually get. We had to remove a palm tree between the pool and the screen that was pushing through a top panel this year too. Fortunately, the freeze got it, so I didn't have to feel guilty about making the decision to remove it.

Gosh, that's lovely! Those are fabulous sagos, but yeah, big. (And oh my, finding dead little hummingbirds impaled in your screen!)

Would a palm tree work for the outside spot? A droopy crown does seem to fit with the sort of colonial caribean (sp? sheesh!) feel of the area. It would take regular maintenance once it was taller than the pool ceiling, but yall must be doing something anyways to remove leaves?

I'm wondering if there is a plant that is stinky to hummingbirds?

There's something called parley hawthorne that grows over there. It does bloom in the spring. But mostly it has neat leaves, berries, and color in the fall (although it is deciduous). Maybe somone who has one could speak to the hummer attractiveness? It also has sort of a cylindrical shape, the branches don't grow out very much for how tall the tree is. So I think you could prune the lower ones back to the trunk, and then the taller ones wouldn't stick out too much to be out of proportion with the rest of your plants.

Pyramid magnolia also has flowers, but you could snip them if you wanted. Nice background foliage.

Non-native, but bay laurel? They can get huge in good conditions, but people also grow them in containers, so they can stand being contained. Small flowers in the spring.

Hollies, of course, although I'm not sure how that would work with your style. They do take well to pruning, so maybe you could give it a more "tropical" shape.

Possibly also you could do some sort of ornamental raised bed or container stand, then use some of the same smaller plants you have in the ground.

I dunno... Interesting dilemna...

One or more of the many varieties of colocasia and or banana.

Can't help you but love that screened in porch! It looks like it works on several fronts including privacy, safety, some protection form the sun and the ability keeps out bugs and debris.

I hope those magnificent palms found a good spot somewhere, they are beautiful.

Elephant Ears? I don't think those get flowers and the grandkids might think they are cool. Or maybe an Onoclea sensibilis 'Texas Too Tall'. I saw one at a local nursery and wanted it, but it was sold already! (Grows about 3feet tall). Or maybe an umbrella plant? I'm thinking along the lines of something with exotic looking foliage and no flowers or once a year flower spikes that can be easily removed.

Your sagos are beautiful. I love them, too, but had the same problem with mine.

Sweet Virburnums may meet your needs. They are evergreen with glossy leaves, don't bloom and, unless you overwater them, they are not susceptible to diseases or pests. They are pretty as bushes but will grow into 20' trees if not pruned. Another plant you may like is Wax Myrtle. They are evergreen with small, narrow leaves and don't have any susceptiblies, either. In the spring, they have tiny white flowers but no odor. They are available in dwarf and regular sizes This plant will take abuse. Both plants are native.
These may not meet your landscape design, especially the Wax Myrtle but I think that Sweet Viburnums are classy looking.

Hi Carolyn! What about a firespike on the outside? I even like dwarf pomagranite or pineapple guava.

Japanese Maples also come in multiple configurations. They are an understory tree and grow very slowly.

Thanks guys! I'm not concerned about the outside - there are many possibilities there, but for now the Meyer lemon has that spot.
I think of all the suggestions Alocasia or Colocasia fit the bill the best. I would need to get one that likes that much sun.
For the time being I have placed a potted houseplant - a variegated fig - there. It's not winter hardy, but I think it's enjoying its time in the sun.

I wish I could say for certain that the Sagos are alive and well. We gave them away, but the new owner had to have them removed. It was a very tough job. Unfortunately, the one outside the screen had no roots on it when I saw it carted off, and the one inside had roots but they weren't covered. I so wish she could have been here to direct the workers, as they didn't speak any English. I knew to point at the roots and say "Muy importante" and "Muerto sin estos" but I'm not even sure that's right!

I wish I could grow Japanese maples!!! Tried and failed several times. I think there's too much sun for one there, but that would be my first choice. If I could grow Japanese maples... :-(

ceejaytown, I think this one: http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/01160.html does take quite a bit of sun. You could call or e-mail Plant Delights. I've gotten very good customer service from them and if that one isn't right, they will be able to tell you which others would work.

I think this one is massively cool, but I think it does need at least some shade. I could be wrong though. http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/06668.html

Good luck with your search and please post the results!

Cool! I remember seeing that first one before and wishing I had a place for it!!
I love,love, love Plants Delights.
If I'm not sent away from this place soon, I'll let you know what happens...

I fully understand. I, too, am under survellaince.

OK, you guys lost me! What? Sent away? Survellaince?

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1101381/