What tropicals would you plant in this space?

I've got this slope in my backyard, right next to the picnic table that I'm trying to decide what to plant there for the summer. I have a nice rhaphis palm I'm going to plant next to the steps just above that croton showing on the right, but the rest is pretty wide open. Those lillies are going to pop sometime later this spring and there is a small clivia behind those lillies that has already bloomed but I will keep in it's spot. Oh and right below that bunch of lillies will be a huge Elephant Ear, once it gets started.

Got any suggestions? I'm thinking some impatiens will look nice and I definitely like the coleus. This is a pretty shady spot but will get some direct overhead sun around noon, then that's about it, shade for the rest of the day. I'm lucky enough to have a nice canopy provide by two large Queen palms growing in that corner of the backyard. I'll post some more pics so you can get the lay of the land and see what else I have growing back there...

I've backed away so you can see the slope better. Sorry for the mess, but it's a huge job in progress.

This is what I have growing on the right side of the steps. That part is pretty much done.

And this is all the way over to the corner of the yard. I am lucky enough to have two huge Canary Island Date Palms growing there. We just had them pineappled a few months ago.

You need bromeliads! Looking good!! Love the rock work

JG

Thanks for compliments, Junglegal. Love that name!
However, I have a boatload of bromeliads growing next to the waterfall, including a huge one right above it.
I must have about seven or eight varieties, I've lost count... But thanks for the idea, I might move some of them from their existing spots to over there.

They are not clearly visible in the pics, so I zoomed in on 'em. And those aren't all that I have.

Since you have that nice sitting area there, I think you should look for something fragrant. Is it VERY shady or filtered light?

How about tibouchina. I think that dark velvety purple would look great among the different shaped leaves.

well the slope faces east, so it gets a little direct morning sun, then as the day progresses, the sun passes through various trees and palms and provides filtered light, more or less.

It is not VERY shady, but the parts closest to the steps get the most sun and then it gets shadier as it goes to the far left corner where it is VERY SHADY. So there's kind of a range of light there. I plan to put the crotons in the most light.

Those tibouchina are intense purple, really nice.
I'll look into that one...

Caladiums, lots of Caladiums....lolol..

They'd look nice!!

Bill

Good grief, I love Caladiums.
thanks for that idea...wow

http://lubbockarboretum.org/caladiums.jpg

alocasia lutea, they are big and bright!

Sorry FOF didn't know it wasn't full sun. Tibouchina requires full sun. Here is a shot of my caladiums.

well I'll just have to find a place somewhere in the yard for them...
They are way too pretty!
Will they grow in part sun? The area near the steps gets reasonable sunshine, but no afternoon sun as it sets behind that area.

Ideally, I'd like to plant a variety of foliage that will bloom at different times of the year...

You don't want it to be too busy. Remember 3, 5, or 7 of the same plant. Leave areas to add seasonal plants into the arrangement.

Good idea Thanks for reminding me.

We're going for the kinda tropical, kinda zen approach.
Less is more. What isn't there is just as important as what is.

That's what I'm trying to do, find out which plants are best and in which season do they bloom. So many knowledgeable ppl on here, so helpful.

That's the easy part. Just keep visiting the nurseries. Each month make a few purchases then arrange it in your beds. Before you know it you're in your second year of doing this and then it gets really fun. More beds, plants in pots and then you decide to change it all up again. LOL this sounds like madness!!!

Second year? LOL I've had this backyard since 1999 and I still haven't figured it out.
It's getting better every year though.
Just getting the CIDPs pineappled was a major accomplishment.

Maybe you could look at Calatheas and Ctenanthes...variegateds...great color, no work...

Vireyas?

Curcumas...?

Those tiny (low) growing marantae...?

I like what I see on those, thanks Aloha.

I dream about gardening in your climate. Congratulations on your yard so far! Absolutely stunning. Those Canary Island Date Palms....drool.....Is "pineappled" really an expression? And do you pay people to do that?

You may want to consider Cannas for a bold, colorful statement. Or perhaps Brazilian Fireworks. Or Cassias. Or red castor beans. And don't forget to throw in at least one or two Passionflowers!

Whatever you decide, please make sure to keep posting pictures.

Good luck.

Erick

This message was edited Apr 21, 2007 9:16 PM

If you like Tibouchina, look for Tibouchina urvilleana 'Athens Blue' ( or 'Compacta'). I have a bunch of this. Starting in late Sept, and going into Novemeber the whole plant is covered in dense purple flowers. It is not leggy like Tibouchina urvilleana can be as it is compact and has dense foliage. I use it as it flowers 'inbetween' seasons. Most my stuff are Spring/Summer and Winter bloomers. This is Fall. Also, the leaves are actually colorful too. A real winner but not easy to find.

Well here's where it is so far...
Lots of tropicals planted this weekend! And a nice gentle rain to help set the roots. Thanks everyone for your input!

VERY nice!!! Those are going to fill in very well and look very lush!!!

Thanks Aloha, I can't wait for later on this summer when it gets lush.
I also planted some impatiens and crotons to help fill in as well as a 15 gal. Rhapis palm