Re: Sculptural plants for coastal Med Garden

... some large leaved
> interesting 
> >sculptural type plants ( Not agaves or cactus) for
> this dry summer 
> >area.  I am wondering if banana plant would survive
> here as we had a 
> >few nights under 0 degrees C this winter.    Shards
> of ice on our 
> >swimming pool one night would you believe!
Good old Strelitzia nicolai, the giant bird of
paradise, tolerates more dryness (but not drought) and
cold (but not extended freezing) and provides a 
banana-like appearance.
Also, PALMS! Brahea species are quite frost-hardy and
often drought-tolerant, and don't grow very fast or
get very tall. Some Sabal species are as well, like S.
uresana and S. palmetto. Jubaea chilensis, Chamaerops
humilis (native from Spain to Italy and Tunisia, with
a silver variety native to Morocco's Atlas Mountains)
and Livistona australis all are almost perfectly
adapted to a Mediterranean zone, although the last
will need some summer water even after it's
established. Phoenix reclinata is not too big if
pruned well, tolerates some dryness and light frosts,
and Phoenix roebelenii, while needing lots of water,
is a good miniature palm for the climate.
Cheers,
Jason Dewees
San Francisco
www.palmsundae.com
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