Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Aug 31, 2010 4:27 pm Hi there. We so far have collected all our 'tropical' plants needed for our garden in melbourne. We are still waiting to build so we have collected alot of plants in antisipation. One main thing we are lacking is a tree canopy to protect our plants from frost etc. We have palms such as bangalows, chinese fan palms and foxtail palms and a couple of frangipanies to put in but they are only small and would take a couple of years to form at least somewhat of a canopy. So anyone have any ideas of fast growing trees that would suit a tropical garden but survive well in Melbourne??? PS. I have thought about using a couple of shade sails for a non perminant canopy in the mean time. THOUGHTS? FU?????? Forrester 43sq We have our keys (3/6/11) Now it's time to decorate (that's the fun part.lol) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37598 Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 2Aug 31, 2010 5:46 pm I have seen jacaranda's used to good effect in tropical gardens, not very fast though. Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 3Aug 31, 2010 10:49 pm I am pretty sure there is a thread on this very topic in here somewhere Not much time just now. Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 4Sep 09, 2010 10:03 am Hi. I'm about to embark on the same thing around my pool area but were in Nth NSW. I'm also considering shade sails at this point for the hot summer sun which is all day in our area. No worries about frost in our area though. The palms you would have to maybe mass plant them for a canopy effect. Remember the palms will have a very vigerous, fibrous root system. I've noticed one (10-15 years old ) in my yard at the moment is sucking the life out of one of my camellia sas's at the moment. Or, you could buy larger palms. They are ex'y but I think worth it. You might only need a couple and underplant the smaller ones. After all this though, I think you need to find a palm expert. I work with the wife of one and he's been vetoing lots of ones I've picked. So its not a simple task for my location but your location will be much harder again. Out of curiosity, what plants have you been collecting? You sound like me, have numerous in pots for the pool area, then numerous in pots for the front courtyard. Thankfully we landscaped our side area so all my potted Broms now have a home along with my Stags and ferns. Only camellias, azaleas, crotons, palms, agaves, cordylines, herbs & vegies to go!!!! Cant wait. But after a couple of years of my husband and landscape architect I work with telling my "no more pot plants until the area is done!!!", I'm finally starting to listen. But boy is it hard to do. I'm starting to think its an addiction?? But then again, I think gardening full stop is an addiction. Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 5Sep 09, 2010 10:44 am lol. That is so true! I have been told to stop buying plants of ebay but its an itch that I just gotta scratch.lol ok my list is as follows... Cast iron plants calatheas taros cannas tall mondo grass purple fountian grass blood grass frangipanis bangalow palms foxtain palms jap fan palms cardomons flaxs croton bird of paradise - juncea, nicholai and reginae red fountain cordy Ive got broms coming outta my ears.lol around 25 species so far. tiger grass dragon tree yucca liliorp Rhoeo hippiastrum agave and around 10 diff types of lillies. So yes, I have to stop buying!lol Forrester 43sq We have our keys (3/6/11) Now it's time to decorate (that's the fun part.lol) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37598 Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 6Sep 09, 2010 11:15 am Hi there How about the native frangipani? (Hymenosporum Flavum). http://anpsa.org.au/h-fla.html http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/stories/s1790705.htm Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 7Sep 10, 2010 7:08 am Man, and my hubby thinks I've got some pot plants waiting to be planted!!!!!!!I have to show him this thread.......then he might not see it as so bad when I bring more home on the weekend????ha, ha, ha. How do Taros go down your way. I have them up hear as well the native cunjavoy. I know up here the cold knocks them around (and we dont get cold like Melb), although they do bounce back come spring. Are you planting around a pool by any chance? I'm asking because I'm curious to see what your thoughts are on planting into the gravel mix thats been spread to stabalize our pool. I know I'll have to dig a wide area and put in good soil/compost, but I'm still worried. Hubby tells me the gravel is very good drainage - still worried though. I think I'm going to have to post a thread. I'm very envious of all your plants. I cant fit that many in my area. Sounds great anyway. Re: Help! whats a good canopy tree for melb tropical garden 8Sep 10, 2010 12:06 pm lol. I know , sad aint I.lol Were arent planting around a pool. Too cold down here.lol. But as for planting in gravel mix, shouldn't be a problem as my hubbies got a aquaponics set up and all the plants are grown in gravel not soil with amazing results. Good luck in your stuggle with this costly addiction.lol I refuse to go to rehab.lol Forrester 43sq We have our keys (3/6/11) Now it's time to decorate (that's the fun part.lol) https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37598 Hi , I'm currently going through this now within the Whitehorse council which has a similar set of restrictions. We're having to make compromises with our floor plan due… 3 30666 Hello. I just bought a few acres in Habana, Mackay, and my horses seem to love hanging around under this tree. I would like to name the paddock after this tree. Can… 0 9515 |