I just had this 12' cocos nucifera installed yesterday. The bed isn't that big at about 10' x 7'. It gets full afternoon sun although I imagine it will be a bit dappled now that the cocos is planted.
I'm asking for suggestions for the under plantings because it takes me forever to visualize my gardens and I don't want this to be a big dirt pit until a lightbulb finally goes off. It's the perfect time for suggestions as the next month is full of spring gardening sales. Thanks in advance.
there are so many different plants that you could put under there and i'm sure someone will come up with some great ideas, just remember that the coconuts fall and you have to trim dead bottom leaves every so often. i always left mine bare underneath. when the fronds fall, they can wipe out everything under it. over time they get very, very heavy.
Just getting back from Hawaii I can tell you first hand that Crotons, Ti-plants and Hibiscus are the rage over there along with bromelaids.
Jeri-how did you like Hawaii? You went to the Big Island? Anywhere else? I lived on the Big Island and Maui. Unfortunately crotons, hibiscus and ti have always been the rage over there, and also ginger and heliconias-but always the same ones. Knowing what I do now about tropical plants-I wish I could go back there and grow again-I would do really unusual things. Esp with the internet and shopping! I have also noticed ( and bought from) several nurseries that were very near to where I lived on the Big Island that were not there before.
I think that for the most part-because the above plants propagated so easily-we all got lazy and just stuck things in the ground-
Junglegal-I keep thinking about sanchezia under the coconut-colorful, stays pretty low and doesn't mind some dappled shade.
The bromeliads do sound like a good idea because they offset so readily. If a large frond falls and breaks the larger ones you will have plenty of babies to quickly fill up the space.
I was relaxing with a glass of wine at an outdoor table at a hotel in Bar Harbor once and a coconut fell and landed about 6" from me. I felt my hair move as it passed my head. Those trees scare the heck out of me.
I agree with Jeri
I took this picture right at noon and should have adjusted for the light. It was a fairly large bed at Brookgreen Gardens and it was so striking.
Beautiful looking tree. I agree with the Hibiscus and Ti plants. A Ti mix of the green and red varieties would look great. Even a monstera or something back in the corner would add a more tropical look.
This message was edited Mar 12, 2007 9:13 AM
Well, thanks for all your suggestions. This bed is still in its infancy but I could not wait any longer. I used leftover rocks and extra aechmeas & neo broms I had laying around. I want to study the sun patterns a little more before I too much more. I love all of the plants mentioned, thanks again!
Oh and this bed isnt near a sitting area. I purposely planted this cocos where no one would get hurt :)
Looking good already; It is going to be beautiful.
I want to plant myself under that tree! Just add cocktails and it looks perfect to me!
Looks great!
good job!
Check out these bromilades.
Beautiful! Is that in Hawaii? The Cordylines are to die for too.
Yes that was on Maui. It was breathtaking.
jeri11
Beautiful Aechmea Blanchetiana! I have one but it is not nearly as orange yet. I'll definately be picking more of these up in the future.
Until this I didn't know any of them could go in the sun. I've got to find some now myself.
Somewhere in this messy house I have a list of cold hardy broms; it came from Dennis Cathcart at Tropiflora in Florida. Guess I will have to start my spring cleaning and find that list. Those orange ones are amazing.
I love the Bromeliads under that Coconut!
Question: Do you have a hard hat for the Pouch or is it REALLY fast? lol
I've been whacked by Black Walnuts from 70'... I can't imagine a coconut!
Ric
They said in Hawaii more people are killed each year from Coconuts hitting them on the head then shark attacks. They remove them before they get real ripe.
