An added benefit? The hairy trunk can now support other plants!
Last summer I planted a Passiflora lutea at the base. It didn't do much, just kind of sat there. Well this year it's climbing...
No blooms yet, but it's definitely taking advange of all the material for gripping. On the right is an orange blooming Bomarea shared by a friend. His plant has been sort of secured (tied) to a palm trunk, mine is willingly growing up through the fibers.
And I think there's a bud swelling at the tip of one of the stems. Yay!
I'm hoping there's an explosion of orange flowers in my near future.
Looking down at the base of the trunk...
On the left: Macleaya cordata (plume poppy)
On the right: Rhododendron sinogrande, isn't the new growth fabulous?
And look! There are even "berries" forming on the Trachycarpus bloom skeletons.
Cramscaping!
I'm trying to get this Trachycarpus wagneriensis in on the fun, with a small Passiflora rovirosae at it's base.
So far it's not really energized by the prospect.
The third palm (another Trachycarpus wagneriensis) is acting as support to a lazy Hakea epiglottis.
Granted it's never had to – but I don't think this guy could stand upright on its own.
Hopefully they'll continute this happy relationship as the Trachycarpus grows...
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Love that word: "cramscaping." And love the wide shot of the border. Just gorgeous. Your palm can support other plants physically and visually in a way that a midwestern tree does not. Can't think if there is a comparable tree/shrub we could use here . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd to think some people want to get rid of those fibers!?
DeleteYou'll find it will now size up really quick, a foot or more of trunk a year :)
ReplyDeleteI love that! Indeed last year it shot up quite a bit.
DeleteYay! I'm looking forward to the day I can do something similar to my two Trachycarpusses. I'd like to try to get plants to grow in the left over cut-off old fronds.
ReplyDelete"Trachycarpusses"...haha. For some reason seeing that word had me laughing out loud. I do like your idea, perfect little pockets for an epiphyte!
DeleteIt's a party once the bamboo leaves and palm fronds can touch! That thing is really looking great!
ReplyDeleteParty!!! Thanks Alan.
DeleteThat palm trunk-trellis is really groovy. The entire area looks great and the gorgeous new growth on the R. sinogrande is 'muy grande'.
ReplyDeleteAren't those burnished Rhody leaves just crazy? I kind of wish they'd stay like that.
DeleteCramscaping! Love it! It's great to see the structure of the palm that you've been waiting for. It's providing more privacy that I thought they would...so nice!
ReplyDeleteSomeday it will be so tall that all you see is the trunk, until you look up. I'm loving it right now.
DeleteI can't remember seeing plants crawling up palms here but it looks as though the trunks do make an excellent support system.
ReplyDeleteIn your part of the world I've seen palms with Opuntia growing out of them.
DeleteExciting to see your palm trunk finally large enough to act as a trellis! I've seen blooming vines growing in trachycarpus trunks and love the look. You do cramscaping with such flair!
ReplyDeleteA thanks Peter, takes one to know one...
DeleteFantastic! Glad to see that your Passiflora is doing so well, too. What a great idea. The photos of the groupings of plants are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks PP, do you grow that Passiflora?
Deleteoooh, i want to copy this idea! I never know which vines are cool to twine up taller plants without strangling them. This looks so pretty.
ReplyDeleteAlso, about the "cramscaping" issue; I love the look of cramscaping too and is there really anything wrong with it in terms of compromising the health of the plants? I think some people may say there's not as much air circulation with cramscaped plants, but then again, I also hear that Mother Nature "abhors a vacuum". Personally, I prefer a dense, layered look like what you've got going on there...
I think one of the drawbacks of cramscaping is you can alter the natural form of plants, if you smash them too close together. They also compete for water resources. But since I love it too I won't be stopping!
DeleteWoo hoo! I am finally getting email announcements of your posts...more comments to follow.
ReplyDeleteThat looks really good, Loree.
ReplyDelete