Re: Tropical medit gardens? Was: Autumnal musings

Thanks to David Poole for a wonderful virtual trip through his garden -- a
delight as usual!

David's description brought to mind a puzzle that I have been thinking
about in my own garden.  I have a small area (20' x 25' or so) that I have
been turning into a tropical garden.   I find that many of the plants I
have planted have the same basic leaf shape/structure, even if the plants
are different sizes.  The garden is dominated by banana, canna, hedychium,
heliconia, and calla.   Of course there are some other plants -- a mango
(still tiny), a crotalaria (the one they call canary bush), a brugmansia, a
michelia figo, some acanthus.  But I really want some tall plants, to give
it some atmosphere and shade.  I'm tempted to plant some palms, but I don't
want to put in the same old palms that I see everywhere (king, queen, and
some others that are very overused in our area). Can anyone make any
suggestions?  Any of the less common figs work in this case (I know some
are notorious for invasive roots and the garden is basically a courtyard
surrounded on three sides by house walls)?  Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Nan
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Nan Sterman		Minds Over Matter

205 Cole Ranch Road
Olivenhain, CA 92024		760.634.2902 (voice)
nsterman@mindsovermatter.com	760.634.2957 (fax)
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