(Back garden)

PLEASE NOTE that any hardiness temperatures quoted are based on my own experience as well as on information obtained from other websites/growers..... they refer to mature plants and even then are absolutely NOT guaranteed - as I have found out the best way to determine if a particular plant will survive is to try it for myself - something I have found extremely rewarding!

Here are some pictures and info on the plants in my back garden. You can click the pics for a larger image (in a new window) - this may be necessary to see some of the smaller plants! Dates of planting in brackets.

Back garden - photo 1 (July 2007)

Back row, left to right: Livistona decipiens (2007), Agave americana (2004), Cycas Revoluta (2004), Washingtonia filibusta (2007), agave americana variegata (2004), phoenix theophrastii (2004).

Front row: Cacti*, other agaves* and echeverias (2004)

Back garden - photo 2 (July 2007)

Left to right: Phoenix canariensis, very small trachycarpus nanus, washingtonia robusta, another echeveria, sabal bermudana, agave americana variegata. Behind the agave is a very small cycas panzhihauensis.

Back garden - photo 3 (July 2007)

Left: Brahea armata (2004), surrounded by cacti* and agaves* (2004).

In the corner, in shade and almost out of sight, is rhapis excelsa (2007)

In the centre of the picture is a large trachycarpus fortunei (1996), to the right of which is brahea edulis (2007).

Back garden - photo 4 (July 2007)

Left: Dicksonia antarctica (2001).

Right: Fatsia japonica (1995; moved 2006)

Back garden - photo 5 (July 2007)

Left: Musa basjoo (1996)

Centre-left: Rheum palmatum (1997) - past peak for 2007

Right: Butia capitata (1996)

Back garden - photo 6 (July 2007)

Behind all this foliage are two small washingtonia filifera (2007).....

Here are comments on some of the plants:

Ribbon fan palm (livistona decipiens)

Supposed to be hardy to -7C/19F. New planting for 2007.

Sago 'palm' (cycas revoluta)

Now reckoned to be hardier than first thought, maybe to -7C/19F. Has done ok since planting, although it has had greenhouse cover for its first 3 winters (greenhouses now removed). New leaves are like hen's teeth, but the old ones seem to last for ages.

California cotton palm (washingtonia filifera)

Hardy palm, but does not like moisture along with its cold. A rain cover is recommended for this one!

Washingtonia filibusta

Cross between w.filifera and w.filibusta. Supposed to incorporate the best qualities of each, which would mean hardiness to maybe -10C/14F and moisture tolerance too! New planting for 2007.

Cretan date palm (phoenix theophrastii)

Supposed to be the hardiest phoenix, being thought to be marginally hardier than p.canariensis. Has done quite well so far, although it has had greenhouse cover for its first 3 winters (greenhouses now removed).

Canary Island date palm (phoenix canariensis)

Lots of people have been planting these in N.Ireland over the last 3-5 years, and they seem to be doing well since none (except mine) seem to have had any winter protection! Mine has had greenhouse cover for its first 3 winters (greenhouses now removed).

Yunnan dwarf palm (trachycarpus nanus)

Miniature trachy, supposedly just as hardy as fortunei. New planting for 2007.

Mexican fan palm (washingtonia robusta)

Supposedly not as hardy as w.filifera, but more tolerant of moisture. Came through its first winter with only an overhead rain cover.

Bermuda fan palm (sabal bermudana)

Despite its tropical origins (clue is in the Latin name), this is supposed to be hardy to -10C/14F. Grows very slowly indeed, but this has not been a problem so far since the old leaves seem to last for ages. Came through its first winter with only an overhead rain cover (this probably was not necessary but was in place to protect the washingtonia robusta next to it).

Dukou cycad (cycas panzhihauensis)

Supposed to be hardiest cycad. Doing ok so far despite being very small, although it has had greenhouse cover for its first 3 winters (greenhouses now removed). I don't think this has produced a new leaf in 2 years :-()

Mexican blue hesper palm (brahea armata)

Supposed to be hardy to -10C/14F, but needs really good drainage. The area in my back garden on the grass bank is very dry, warm and sunny, so appeared to be a suitable site. Doing quite well so far, although it has had greenhouse cover for its first 3 winters (greenhouses now removed).

Lady palm (rhapis excelsa)

Needs no introduction as a house plant! But it also has a degree of hardiness, taking maybe -4C/25F. I'm hoping that its shady, sheltered location with lots of overhead cover (and a bit of winter protection too!) will be enough to ensure that it is still there in spring '08. It's a risk in any case, but we'll see how it does. New planting for 2007.

Guadaloupe palm (brahea edulis)

The greener, faster (supposedly) and slightly less hardy sibling of b.armata. Another N.Ireland grower reports great success, so I guess I had to try it! New planting for 2007.

Dicksonia antarctica

My first d.antarctica grew happily for several years but fell victim to the December 2000 cold snap. The plant in the photo is its replacement, planted in 2001.

Castor oil plant (fatsia japonica)

Fully hardy in the UK, mine was moved due to its previous location being too dry, warm and sunny. It was about to give up the ghost but now seems to be growing on reasonably well.

Rheum palmatum - ornamental rhubarb (not edible)

Rheum palmatum, showing the remains of the huge spring flower stalk

Comments: No problems. Note that this plant dies right back in late October / November only to sprout huge leaves and plumes in April / May.

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