Move over, Pinterest!
This summer, Garden horticulturists share their favorite plants and landscape design tips in a special series perfect for those who are eager to add pizzazz to their yards, and for homeowner associations looking to refresh community spaces.
These simple concepts, illustrated with photos from the Garden, are certain to inspire. With rainy season on the way, now is the perfect time to get planting.
Stephen Jurek, Assistant Director of Landscape Maintenance
Stephen’s Favorite Design Tips
- Use palm trees to add height, color, and texture to your landscape. Palm trees are ideal for creating an immediate tropical feel to any South Florida landscape.
- Right palm, right spot. When selecting palm trees, consider the overall mature height, maintenance needs, and soil conditions. Most palms require soil that allows water to move through it at a moderate rate, preventing waterlogging and ensuring proper aeration for the roots. To improve soil drainage, add compost into your existing soil while planting. Compacted, clay, and sandy soils all benefit from being amended with rich organic materials.
Stephen’s Favorite Plants to Use
The giant yarey palm (Copernicia fallaensis) produces a massive, smooth, light gray trunk that is thickest near the middle and can reach heights of up to 60 feet. The fronds are a waxy blue-green color, and the broad, flat leaf stalks can be almost white. The ideal planting conditions for a C. fallaensis are full sun and well-drained soil. I love these palms because they are well adapted to thrive in South Florida. They are cold hardy, drought resistant, and the waxy blue fronds add a touch of color to any landscape.
The flame thrower palm (Chambeyronia macrocarpa) is a single-trunked palm with graceful, upright growth, featuring broad, feather-like leaves. New growth emerges with a vibrant red color that fades to green over time. Its mature height is 15 to 25 feet. The ideal planting conditions for Chambeyronia macrocarpa are partial shade and well-drained soil. They can tolerate more sun as they mature but prefer filtered light when they are young. I love these trees because they are extremely effective as an understory palm; the red of the new growth catches your eye and draws you into the plants in the surrounding area.
Putting It All Together
Palm trees, such as these in the Scott Florida Garden, create a tropical oasis in any landscape.
