Phone: (619) 291 4605 Fax: (619) 574-1595 Email:phil.bergman@junglemusic.net

Home | Site Map | Palm Trees Directory | Cycads Directory | Directions

NEW PLANT ARRIVALS   

PALMS, CYCADS AND TROPICAL PLANTS FOR SALE

NEW PLANT OFFERINGS

"HOT" AND CUTTING EDGE SPECIES

REQUESTED SPECIES

THIS PAGE HAS OLDER POSTS

NOVEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER, 2011, REVERSE DATE ORDER

QUICK JUMP TO OTHER PARTS OF THIS BLOG


Current Time Blog
January-February, 2012
November-December, 2011
September-October, 2011
June-August, 2011 

PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE FEATURE
This new website feature will list desirable species that we have just obtained or are very desirable and requested species.  It will be a "blog-like" presentation with photos of the plants and, if available, pictures of larger specimens.  It will be expanded every day or two with comments on the species.  Posted species will remain for about two weeks, with new species added at the top of this page.  Note that some offerings will only be available in very limited numbers.  Sometimes we'll show smaller plants, other times larger.  This will enable mail order customers to review items they could purchase and have easily shipped.  Most recent posts will appear at the top of this thread, with the older ones below.

LEARN ABOUT PALM TREES / BOOKMARK THIS PAGE
If you regularly follow this page, you'll learn a lot about palms and see photos of what we have and mature specimens.  Comments will be brief.  Feel free to email me with questions or requested species.  .  

PRICING
Where possible, pricing will be mentioned.  Remember, other sizes at different prices may be available as well.

SPECIALS
We will occasional post special pricing in this section.  Special prices will last only as long as they are posted here.

MAIL ORDERS AND DELIVERIES
It is possible to ship or deliver any plants seen on these pages.  Just call us to set up an order.  We ship within the U.S.  Some state require Phyto Certificates.

RETURN TO THIS PAGE FREQUENTLY
This website section will change frequently, with new species being described every day or two.  Watching what we offer here will enable you to tell what's new at our nursery. 

REMINDER: POSTS HERE WILL CHANGE EVERY DAY OR TWO, SO BOOKMARK THIS SITE AND RETURN TO SEE MORE.

OLDER POSTS CONTAINED HERE: LOTS OF INFORMAITON
AND PHOTOS. 
SALE PRICES NO LONGER APPLY ON THESE ITEMS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2011

For today, just for fun, a few cool photos taken at the nursery.   For the cycads, these are mature in containers, so I haven't added additional photos.  For the palms, I've added one picture of a mature plant in a botanical garden.   I've not given any discussion here so I can show larger photos.  But, next time back to my regular format. 

Dioon merolae, box, very old plant

Encephalartos horridus box, looks like dwarf form

Dypsis lastelliana 15g, a red-brown crown shaft palm

Cyphophoenix nucele with Rusty posing in picture

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011

CARPENTARIA ACUMINATA This is a single trunk, pinnate, crown- shafted palm species from northern Australia.  It gets to 40 feet or more and has a rather thin trunk.  It is a fast grower. Cold tolerance is slightly below a freeze. It is uncommonly seen in Southern CA. It is a species that should be started in strong filtered light and then allowed to grow upwards into full sun.  Shown is a 5g plant and a mature specimen.  This species is seldom seen for sale in CA. I am also showing a close up photo of the crown shaft and red fruit.

ENCEPHALARTOS EUGENE-MARAISII This is a rare species of Encephalartos from the Transvaal area of northern South Africa.  It is medium sized when mature and has either a blue color to the leaves or is blue-green.  It is very sought after by collectors and likes full sun and heat.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.  Desert locations may require only part day sun.  It is slow growing when young and takes at least 4 years to offer a good seedling.  Shown here is a 7g plant with a six inch caudex as well as a mature specimen.  We also have band and citrus pot size plants for sale. The mature plant is from a botanical garden in Hawaii and really shows the blue color.

ORANIOPSIS APPENDICULATA THE BRONZE PALM This single trunk, pinnate palm comes from Mt Lewis mountain area of Queensland.  It grows right next to native stands of Archontophoenix purpurea.  It is surprisingly cold hardy and can temps into the mid twenties, F.  It has a bronze- silver color to the underside of the leaves, thus giving it its name.  Trunks are about 12 inches and overall height, similar to the Purple Crown Shaft King, is about 35 feet.  Shown is a 5g nursery plant for $75.  We also have 15g plants for sale.  The second photo is from habitat and shows the bronze color to the underside of the leaves.

CYCAS panzhihuaensis This is a very cold hardy yet tropical appearing cycad.  It is native to China and in sun the leaves have a blue-green color.  It tolerates temperatures easily into the low 20's F. Overall size is medium.   The last photo shows several specimens at Montgomery Foundation in Miami, FL.  We have small to large plants available.  This species is known to grow in northern California and even in parts of Great Britain.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011
A Few "One-Of-A-Kind" Plants 

KENTIOPSIS PYRIFORMIS Several weeks ago I mentioned a super rare crown shafted palm from New Caledonia.  It was Kentiopsis pyriformis.  These are so hard to find and yet super good looking.  I thought I'd show you a few shots of our 5g size.  There are so few of them that they are not even listed on our price list.  Note the red-brown color of the petiole.  We only have two 5g available. For pictures of the mature plant, scan photos below.

COCCOTHRINAX SPECIES AZUL This is another unbelievably rare palm species that is from eastern Cuba.  It is a fan palm with intense blue color to the leaves as it ages.  It develops the same color as a Bismarckia, but has a thin trunk and never gets over 20 feet.  It is known for being unbelievably slow growing as a young plant, quicker in the ground.  I've read that the new scientific name is Coccothrinax macroglossa, not to be confused with a Copernicia with the same species name.   The 5g plant you see here is about 6 to 7 years old, still not very big.  if you want a cool small blue plant without armor, this is the one for you.  We only have this single plant.   Sorry, but no photos of mature specimens of this rare species.  The blue color (like Brahea decumbens) develops in the ground with full sun, later in life.

ENCEPHALARTOS ARENARIUS BLUE Previously I talked about a type of E. arenarius that has become known as the true "blue" species.  At that time I mentioned that there are E. arenarius that have blue color but are not the "true" blue species.  This is an example of one of these.  It's color is intensely blue, almost like an Encephalartos horridus.  This plant is in a 25g, has an 8 inch caudex, and is drop- dead beautiful.  I've shown several photos to demonstrate the color.  I only have this one plant with this intense blue color.  Most are "blue-green".

DYPSIS SPECIES SUCKERING This is an interesting plant.  I only have this one 2 gallon available.  It is obviously a suckering species.  I was told by the private collector that I got the plant from that it had very black stems when younger.  Now with age they are more green and starting to show a little color.  I do not know the species name although it is similar to Dypsis psamophylla, but there are some differences.  I only have this one plant.  I suggest you buy it and when large, tell me what it is. I think it's possibly something unique.

CYCAS SPECIES "THAILAND SILVER" This is another very rare species, this time a cycad from Thailand.  It is known for the fact that it throws a new set of leaves that emerge silver.  But, as you can see, they turn to green later.  The seeds on this species became available about 15 years ago.  I have not seen them since.  This plant has an 8 inch caudex, stem-like, and is in a 15g pot.  It is very attractive. I only have this plant and another with a 6 inch caudex.  After these are gone, there will be no more for quite a while.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011 

ENCEPHALARTOS CERINUS This is a very rare South African cycad that never gets big.  A large caudex would be six to eight inches with a plant height of three to four feet.  The leaves are a blue green in color and tend to be upright.  This species likes sun and appears to have cold tolerance to the low 20's f.  Shown here are the seedling band size and a 5g plant.  Also shown is a mature specimen.

PINANGA CORONATA I talked about this species several weeks ago and sold out within days.  Well, I just got in additional nice 5g of this gorgeous species.  This is an exotic suckering species of pinnate palm that gets to about 12 feet and can be grown easily in coastal So Cal.  It will possibly even make purple fruit for you.  It likes filtered light.  It's a medium rate grower.  Garden plants are typically just gorgeous appearing.  These plants are three-four feet tall and a great size to put in the garden.  This size is normally $85, but these will go for $75 until they are gone.  They won't last long.  (no double discounts on these).

DIOON ANGUSTIFOLIA This cycad species is from Mexico and is known for its very thin leaflets.  You will see this cycad as a single trunk plant or as a cluster with multiple stems.  The overall crown size is not large, typically with a spread of four feet.  A plant with a cuadex of 12 to 18 inches is a very old plant.  Cold tolerance is definitely into the low 20's F. It likes full, hot sun.  This would be a good sun species of cycads for those who live in a colder climate.  It is closely related to Dioon edule.  I am showing several plants from the nursery.  Note the leaf and leaflet appearance.  Also note that one specimen shows how this species can sucker and make a clustered plant.   the boxed specimens are at least 20 years old.  So, you can see this species is also ideal where an enthusiast needs a plant that will not get tall and needs to fit into a smaller area.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX PURPUREA This is a single trunk, pinnate, crown-shafted palm from the Mt. Lewis area of Queensland, Australia.  It is a species in the group of palms commonly known as "King Palms".  Most people don't realize that there are actually five or six different types of "King Palms", and A. purpurea is one of them.  This species is known for the purple like color of the crown shaft.  The underside of the leaflets are silver as contrasted to the dull green of the common A. cunninghamiana.  It can be planted as a single or as a multiple.  Cold tolerance is not quite as good as the common King, probably about 26 degrees.  The color of the crown shaft is variable, some being more purple than others.  This species is also known by the older common names of "Archontophoenix Mt. Lewis" and "Purple Crown Shaft King Palm". Shown are a 5g plant, a 15g plant and some more mature specimens.  Also, be aware that the purple color won't appear until the plant is in the garden several years and has some trunk height.  The last photo is of a fruiting mature specimen in the San Diego area.  Note the silver color to the underside of the leaflets. 5g plants are $65, 15g $175.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2011 

RHOPALOSTYLIS CHEESEMANII This is a single trunk, crown shafted pinnate palm from New Zealand.   Some would group this with Rhopalystlis baueri as a subtype.  It is from Raoul Island.  It's crown shaft has a brown or purple color and is quite attractive.  It is a somewhat slower grower when small but picks up speed once planted.  It's trunk is about 10 inches.  The leave droop with a gentle arch.  This species tolerates full sun right on the coast and would prefer filtered light in inland locations.  Shown is a 15g specimen, price $175, followed by a 5g plant, $65.   Below are two garden specimens.  These are not very old plants and are just showing a bit of trunk.   Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F.  Some feel this is the most beautiful of the Shaving Brush type palms.

BURRETIOKENTIA KOGHIENSIS This is good sized, crown shafted pinnate palm from New Caledonia.  It comes from Mt. Koghi in the central area of the island.  Mature trees obtain a height eventually of 40 feet or more. The leaves tend to be upright in the crown and the crown shaft has a white color.  It is more difficult to find than other species of Burretiokentia. An interesting thing about this species is that younger plants have a triangular shape in the crown shaft area below the leaves.  Shown here is a 15g plant as well as mature specimens from the wild.   One photo shows a blossom on a fruiting tree.  We also have 5g nursery plants at the nursery for sale.

CYCAS THOUARSII This cycad has an exotic look to it and has minimal armor or spines.  When mature, it gets quite tall and can sucker and form a cluster.  It is quick growing and will tolerate sun along the Southern California coast. Inland it would like partial sun.  When mature it can throw up to 40 leaves 2 meters long or greater.  Trunk diameter is 12 to 18 inches.  Shown is 5 gallon plant which is normally $135 and on special now for $85.  We also have larger 15g and box specimens and some 1g plants.   Note how the 5g plant almost looks like a palm tree.  But, in the larger container it's obviously a cycad. Cold tolerance is into the twenties F.  It likes good drainage and can be grown as a containerized specimen.  Some have even grown it as a houseplant. It is much more exotic appearing than a Sago and has softer leaves, making it a more ideal interior plant.  Also shown are a 15g plant and a garden specimen.

DICTYOSPERMA ALBUM RUBRUM This is a crown shafted, single trunk pinnate palm that is native to the Mascarene Islands. It has a very pretty crown shaft.  There are several varieties of this species.  One is entitled Dictyosperma album rubrum because of the red color in the leaves and petiole.  Some taxonomist feel there is also a variety "furfuracea" that has a lot of silver color to the leaf bases and crown shaft.  Shown here is a 15g plant.  Price is $175. Also shown are a picture of a mature plant and a close up of the crown shaft.  The last photo shows a box specimen we have at the nursery.  It has some woody trunk at the base.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2011 

PANDANUS FURCATUS This is an unusual type of Screw Pine that is not seen that often.  I have typically grown Pandansus utilus over the years.  In fact, I have a 20 foot branching specimen in my garden.  About 6 years ago I got seeds of P. furcatus.  I have found them to have a softer, less spiny leaf and to be good growers. And, their cold hardiness is pretty good as well.  I think they are mid-twenties F. plants. Shown here is a 5g specimen. It's a bit yellow, probably because it's a huge plant in a 5g pot and needs more nutrition.  I have no photos of mature specimens and checked on the Net and there are no good photos there that I could find.  This species, like the utilus, will form thick stilt roots at the base.  price is $85, height of this plant about 5 feet.  I only have a few plants.

ENCEPHALARTOS NATALENSIS This is a South African cycad species that has green leaves and makes a medium sized adult plant.  By this I mean you, over several decades, will get a plant with perhaps 4 feet of trunk.  It's crown width is about 8 feet.  It likes full sun and heat unless you are in a desert locality.  It is a quick grower and has cold tolerance to the low 20's F.  It can go even to lower temperatures if you give it some cold protection.  Shown first here is a coning sized boxed specimen.  Also shown are a smaller containerized plant and a few photos of a mature garden specimens and the adult cones.

RAPHIA FARINIFERA This is a palm that makes a huge mature specimen.  It can be single trunk or multi-stemmed.  The most interesting thing about this species is the overwhelming length of the leaves.  There are reports that leaf length can exceed 50 feet!  There are examples of this species growing in Southern California.  I'd estimate that the species will not tolerate a freeze.  It likes full sun.  Shown is a 15g plant for sale and a picture of a mature specimen.  It is next to impossible to find this species for sale at a nursery.  Note the red- orange color of the leaf stems.

ZAMIA SPECIES "DWARF CUBA" This is a dwarf cycad species that never gets over about 2 perhaps 3 feet tall.  It is a small plant and forms a cluster of plants through division.  It is very rare and almost never seen. It is similar to Zamia kickxii.   The plant shown here is a coning sized specimen.  They don't get much larger than this.  For this reason, I am only showing this one photo.  I have perhaps one or two of these for sale.  Regarding cold hardiness, little is known but I'd suspect it is into the mid twenties F.  It can take coastal sun but prefers part day sun or strong filtered light.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 

THREE SUPER RARE PALM SPECIES AND GREAT BLUE CYCADS

DYPSIS MAROJEJYI MADAGASCAR FOXTAIL PALM This is about as "cutting edge" as you can get with new palm introductions.  This single trunk species from Madagascar is near impossible to find.  It has plumose leaves and rusty brown leaf bases that are a similar color to Dypsis leptocheilos.  It gets to about 20 feet.  It sports a rather thin trunk.  Collectors I've known have started this palm in filtered light.  There is little known about its cold tolerance as of yet.  Shown here is one of a few I've got for sale.  They'll not last long and, for a palm, are rather expensive. This is because seeds are so difficult to get and culture of seedlings takes time and patience.  I apologize that I don't have a mature specimen to show you presently, but the website at PACSOA does have one picture.

KENTIOPSIS PYRIFORMIS This is a gorgeous crown shafted and very rare palm from New Caledonia.  It gets rather tall, over 50 feet at maturity and has a medium size trunk with a brown-purple crown shaft.  The new leaves emerge a brown-red color.  Cold hardiness appears to be into the upper 20's F., but the lowest cold tolerance is not known as of yet. They are also a near impossible and expensive palm to locate.  I have several for sale in 1g size. Shown here are some pictures of these.   As with the Mad Fox palm above, pictures of mature plants are very rare and not available on my Gallery.  Hopefully in time I can get a photo of one to show you.  I have four for sale and they'll be gone in a day or two so act quickly.

PSEUDOPHOENIX SARGENTII This is another very rare palm to find in  Southern California.  The one gallon plant shown here is about five years old.  They are just that slow growing.  At maturity in their habitat in the Florida Keys, they are about twenty feet tall.  They have an slightly bulged, thin trunk and a handsome crown shaft.  Even in Florida they are difficult to locate. Also shown are two mature plants.  This species likes full sun and has surprising cold tolerance, perhaps into the mid- twenties F.  I only have a few for sale.  If you decide to grow this species, be prepared for slow growth and a long wait to get a big mature plant.

GREAT BLUE CYCADS I thought this morning I'd also like to show you some photos of intensely blue South African cycads.  All three are easy to grow, like full sun and heat, and takes temperatures down to the low 20's f.  Beginning to the right is first Encephalartos lehmannii, then a 5g Encephalartos horridus and finally a blue Encephalartos longifolius.  I am showing you these plants to perhaps stimulate your interest in blue cycad species.  Also, I'd like to announce an article I just published at our site: "ENCEPHALARTOS HORRIDUS, A STUNNING BLUE CYCAD".  Click on the icon and it'll take you straight to my new article.  I think its quite enjoyable and there are lots of photographs and information on culture.

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011

HOWEA FORSTERIANA THE SENTRY OR PARADISE PALM This is one of my favorite palms for Southern California.  It is single trunk but often planted as several plants in the same spot or location. It gets to about 30 feet in full sun but this will take many decades to achieve.  It tolerates full sun along the coast and requires filtered light inland.  It's cold tolerance is about 25 degrees F., about the same as a King Palm.  It is very slow growing in containers, somewhat faster in the ground.  It makes one of the best house plants available.  Its leaves are dark olive green when grown in filtered light, more lime green in the sun.  To the right are very large one gallon plants, all of these three plants per pot.  We do have singles as well.

DYPSIS PLUMOSA This single trunk, crown shafted pinnate palm comes from Madagascar.  We have been growing this species for almost 2 decades.  It is quite cold tolerant, down into the  mid to low 20's f.  It has a plumose leaf and a rather thin trunk.  It's growth rate is good.  It likes full sun in most areas.  We have various sizes available for sale up to 15g.  Shown to the right is a 15g plant.  Note how thin the trunk is when immature.  This fattens up in the ground and will end up with about a six to eight inch thick trunk.  Note also the fluffy nature of the leaves, thus giving it its name.  Previously known as Dypsis ambositrae and Dypsis "thin leaflets", it is a quick grower and quite popular.  Shown below is a plant growing in El Cajon, CA.  Note the silver color to the crown shaft and the rather thin trunk.

CERATOZAMIA HILDAE This is a very small, cute dwarf New World cycad species.  I find C. hildae to be very charming and quite a "feminine" plant.  It is known for grouping of the leaflets to the petiole, almost as if you tied "bows" to the stem. It's height is seldom over 4 to 5 feet.  It prefers filtered light.  Normally the are separated groups of leaflets.  But, on occasion, you'll see plants with single opposing leaflets rather than a group.  I am going t show a series of photos of various plants and forms.  We always have these in stock in an assortment of sizes. Shown also is a 15g plants with a bit of twisting to the leaflets.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.  You'll note the variation in leaf appearance as you look at these plants.  This is one of the interesting things I've noted about this species.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA I presented this species to you about a month or two ago.  I want to show it again because it is such a fantastic houseplant and I'm about to run out of them.  This is, I think, one of the best Lady Palms there is.  The trunks are thin and also very clean and tidy appearing.  One of the down- sides of the common Lady Palm (R. excelsa) is that the trunks are a bit unsightly; not with the multifida.  They are very pretty. Also, this species only gets to about 10 feet.  With excelsa, you are often left with a squatty plant (four feet) or an overly tall one that won't fit in the average room. You never know what you will get in height. Multifida is the perfect height.  It also doesn't spread too much so is easy to fit into spots. Shown here is a nice 5g.  Our 5g are usually about five feet tall in their containers.  The third photo shows a leaf.  Note the leaflet tips are pointed and that there are about 25 leaflets.  The common Lady Palm only has six to ten leaflets and they are blunt ended.  The fourth photo shows a 7g, which are about 7 feet tall and quite full.   If you like this species, they are very easy to ship right to your door.  For outdoor growing, this species likes filtered light and is cold hardy to the low 20's F.

VRIESIA SPECIES From time to time we are able to get a very interesting Bromeliad.  It is a species of Vriesia.  It has hieroglyphic markings on its leaves and a very beautiful blossom.  The plant shown is mature size with about a 2 foot tall red blossom.  Call if you want one and I'll reserve it for you. This species likes filtered light and can take temperatures below freezing.  It can be tied to a trunk or grown in the ground by merely setting the pot six inches into the soil.  They blossom once a year and propagate by putting offsets at the base of the mother plant.  They are quite stunning when in blossom and yet have attractive leaves as well.  Vriesias make excellent "companion plants" for the garden.

ENCEPHALARTOS VILLOSUS This South African cycad species is known for tolerating filtered light, not forming a tall vertical trunk, its thin leaflets and its colorful gold female cone.  A good feature of this species is that it can grow under the canopy of your palm trees.  Its leaves tend to go straight up with a length of about six feet.  As they age, they will lay down a bit, preparing for the next throw of leaves.  It is cold hardy into the low twenties F. and has a horizontal spread of about six to eight feet.  The female cone is about 18 inches long and 10 inches wide.  It is a near gold in color and very cool.  Shown first is a box specimen we have of a female plant.   I have also included shots of the female cone from this same plant as well as a 15g plant.  Also shown is an affordable 15g plant.  We have citrus pot sized plants and perhaps some seedlings for sale as well.  This species can easily be mail ordered.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

HEDYSCEPE CANTERBURYANA This is a gorgeous single trunk, crown shafted pinnate palm from the mid-elevation of the mountains of Lord Howe Island (home of the Kentia Palm).   It has an umbrella shaped crown of leaves, is small to medium sized, seldom over 20 feet tall.  It can take full sun along the coast but would like filtered light inland.  It is slow growing and is also known for its silver trunk and crown shaft.  It's cold tolerance is into the mid- twenties F.  Shown is a 15g from the nursery, various photos.  We have smaller plants as well. Also shown are pictures of mature plants.  This species is rather hard to find in good size.  The one shown is $195.  Ripe fruit is large and red in color.

CERATOZAMIA MEXICANA This is a New World cycad from Mexico.  It is lush and tropical appearing and has fairly horizontal or dependent leaves.  In most areas, it prefers filtered light and never gets more than about 6 to 8 feet vertical height (top of leaves). Growth is slow and a plants with a 12 inch caudex can be over 20 years old.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.  As with other Ceratozamia, new leaves may emerge a brown or reddish color.  They fade to green within a month.  Shown is a nice 15g specimen.  We have larger and smaller plants.  I will show extra photos of this species as it is quite attractive.  The third photo shows fairly newly emerged leaves.  Note how soft they are.  They will harden over time.  The last photo shows a garden specimen, a slightly thinner leaflet variety.  We offer many types of Ceratozamia for sale.  They are a perfect plant for gardens that have overhead canopy and the need for more lower profile yet tropical appearing plants.  Of note cycads are water conserving in general.

ENCEPHALARTOS CONCINNUS This is a Central African species that has rather neat and small leaflets.  It is an ideal species for someone who wants a powerful Encephalartos but one that doesn't get too large.  Note how the spines on the leaflets are not that aggressive.  Over many decades, this species can eventually put on s meter or two of trunk, but leaf size is usually no more than 4 to 6 feet in length.  Shown is a 15g plant with close-ups.  Also shown is a garden specimen.  We have various sizes of this species for sale.

POLYANDROCOCOS CAUDESCENS This is a monotypic genus of a single trunk palm from Brazil.  It is medium sized, up to about 35 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 inches.  When I first saw a mature specimen of this species, I was struck with the beautiful orange-yellow large fruits all clustered together.  Cold hardiness is into the upper twenties F.  The new spear is striped silver/green.  Shown is a 5g nursery plant, $65.  These simple leaves will eventually become pinnate.  The underside of the leaves is silver.  Although the picture of the fruit is still green, it will turn orange/yellow in time.  The last photo shows the underside of the shown nursery plant's leaf.  We also have smaller and larger sizes for sale.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011

TRACHYCARPUS LATISECTUS This is a difficult species of Trachycarpus to find.  We have one or two 5g plants.  If you read my recent article on this species at our site, you probably could get pretty excited about this species.  It is cold hardy and gets to a height of about 40 feet.  Shown here is a 5g plant.  Also shown are a few pic's of a specimen (M.G. & T.S.), one shot showing the complete circle of leaflets in 360 degrees.  Very cool.  I don't have any more coming, so when these are gone it will be a long time waiting for more. It likes sun of course and cold hardiness is into the mid to upper teens F.  .

ENCEPHALARTOS MIDDLEBURGENSIS This is a threatened and extremely rare species of cycad from South Africa.  It is medium to large in size when mature and has a blue color to the leaves.  Once established, it is a good grower.  It likes full sun, good draining soil and is cold hardy into the mid twenties F.  Shown here are several 15g plants with about 4 inch caudexes.  Also shown is an older garden plant.  Note the very nice color to the leaves.  These trunks can, over many decades, get to over 10 feet in height.  In the nursery marketplace, it is getting very difficult to find this species in anything except seedling stage, and even then there are few of them.

CYPHOPHOENIX NUCELE This is a single trunk, crown shafted palm from an island off the coast of New Caledonia. Its trunk is rather narrow, but it does get to an eventual height of 40 feet or more.  Its leaf color is an emerald green.  The overall appearance is quite attractive.  It does appear different than its sister species, C. elegans, with more upright leaves.  Shown here is a 5g plant and a mature specimen.  The third and fourth pictures below show a mature specimen being grown in El Cajon, CA.  It has been thriving outdoors for years and has seen a fair amount of cold weather.  It likes less than full sun when young and to grow into the sun.  Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties by estimate.  It is very difficult to find at nurseries.  We have several of this species in 5g for sale.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2011

BRAHEA DULCIS This is a single trunk fan palm from Mexico. There it grows at high elevation and this gives it some degree of cold hardiness.  It is known as the Rock Palm.  Although usually a single trunk plant, occasionally suckering plants are seen in the wild.  The leaves are green in color with a hint of blue.  Some plants are more blue thank others leading to terms like "the blue B. dulcis".  Shown here is a 5g plant.  We also have a limited number of 15g.  Also shown is a specimen being grown in El Cajon, CA.  When grown in partial sun or filtered light, the leaves are very wide and flat; sort of exotic appearing.  It can tolerate coastal full sun.  Cold tolerance is into the mid to low 20's F.

PHILODENDRON SPECIES This is a very interesting Philodendron that I think is a super addition to the garden.  I don't have a species name for this.  It is quite rare and from its grow habit appears to be  a climbing variety, good for going up the trunks of palm trees.  It has long, thin leaves. It is dark green in color.  I got this in trade with a botanical garden.  I only have a few for sale.  Shown is one of these.

CHAMAEDOREA HOOPERIANA SPECIAL OFFER 3 DAYS!!! This species is one of the most perfect suckering Chamaedorea that is around.  It also makes a wonderful house plant.  It gets to a height of about ten feet and is a very good grower.  It likes filtered light outdoors and adequate water.  In the house, medium light is required.  It is relatively pest-free.  It's cold tolerance is into the lower 20's f.  The 3g size shown is normally $65.  I am having a three day special starting today: 3 PLANTS FOR $99! S/H would apply on mail orders and a phyto permit if required. I have shown a photo  to the right of this promotional size.  Also shown is a much older plant in a 20g that I've grown for several years.  The plants in this 3g size are about 5 feet tall in their pots and have multiple canes.  With three plants you might be able to get a fruiting colony.  Remember, you need both a male and female plants with Chamaedorea to set viable seeds.

ENCEPHALARTOS NATALENSIS X WOODII Not to cheat any cycad enthusiasts out there, I am showing a very nice specimen of a hybrid between the unbelievable rare and essentially extinct Encephalartos woodii and E. natalensis. E. woodii is known only to have one male plant in existence.  To make this hybrid, one takes pollen from the woodii and pollinates a receptive female cone of a mature E. natalensis, the closest species available as a female to the woodii.  This is a gorgeous 15g plant with an 8 to10 inch caudex, totally ready to be put in the garden.  It will be a sun plant and a very quick grower.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.  It will want sun in most areas.  This hybrid is fairly difficult to find.  What a great Holiday gift this plant would be!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011

CHAMAEDOREA HYBRID There is an interesting perk from growing Chamaedorea.  They are easy to get to set seeds.  You must have a female for seed production because they are dioeceous.  But, that female will hybridize with similar Chamaedoreas.  Sometimes wind dispersion of pollen is all that is needed.  Or, you can directly transfer pollen.  With this said, we are growing some Chamaedorea scheidiana. This is a tall, thin trunk single trunk species. A female we had at the nursery set seeds. But we didn't pollinate it.  Nearby was a male C. gluacifolia.  So, we "think" this is a hybrid of the two.  The foliage looks appropriate for what one would expect of the cross.  These have been super fast growing, typical of both presumed parents.  These are in 5g containers and about 8 feet, huge for a 5g.  I think, if one were to plant them as a close colony, they'd look very nice.  We have these three an perhaps a few more.  This hybrid would give you something that most likely no one else would ever have. I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing or not.

CHAMAEDOREA RADICALIS, TRUNKING FORM Sometime with this blog I may have talked about this variety of Chamadorea radicalis. the latter is a very cold hardy dwarf, single trunk species that is quite easy to grow.  Well, there is a trunking species that is not a dwarf. It gets to about 8 to 10 feet and is also cold hardy into the lower 20's f. for sure.  It may be able to take coastal sun like the dwarf.  These are hard to find on the market.  Shown here are some affordable 5g plants.  You can see there is no question they are not dwarfs and are forming a nice trunk.   The plants shown are over six feet tall.  The second photo shows how we planted more than one in a trunk.  We did this to give a fuller looking plant over time.  Below is a more mature plant in a 15g pot.  Also shown is the regular dwarf form of Chamadorea radicalis. Note how the trunking form has thinner leaflets and a much more pronounced crown shaft.

DYPSIS SPECIES "PINK CROWN SHAFT" This is a thin trunk Dypsis species from Madagascar that was previously called "Neophloga Pink Crown Shaft".  This name goes back to the previous days when nomenclature was being worked out and "Neophloga" was still an accepted name.  This species has more recently been lumped in with the Dypsis genus.  This particular species is very attractive and, as far as I know, has not yet been given a formal scientific name.  It is a thin, single trunk plant with puffy leaves, a newly emerging red-orange leaf, a pretty crown shaft and a preference for filtered light.  It is very popular.  Shown here are nice one gallon plants.  The trunk has nice speckling on it. We have very limited numbers of these for sale.  Shown also is a somewhat older 5g plant.

PHILODENDRON SPECIES, UNUSUAL This is sort of a one of a kind plant with us.  We traded with a botanical garden and got a start of this unusual species.  It appears to be a climbing species with silver, metallic leaves.  It is very different and striking.  I wanted to show this so you can see what could be climbing up the trunks of your palm trees and give you that real tropical and magical appearing garden.  We don't have a species name for this plant, nor did the botanical garden that got habitat cuttings.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8,  AN ADDITIONAL POST ON E. FEROX Before leaving Encephalartos ferox, I wanted to show something super rare.  Posted here are photos of what is suppose to be a "blue" E. ferox. You might have heard rumors of such a thing. I got this plant about ten years ago as a seedling. Check it out here.  You'd think perhaps it's a Transvaal South African species until you look at the close ups of the leaflets.  This is one of two of these I've had in my career.  Looking at the size in ten years, I doubt it will ever be a large plant.  (update 12/9  This plant sold within a few hours of posting)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011

ENCEPHALARTOS FEROX CONT'D I wanted to let the reader see a few more pictures of the species I discussed yesterday.  The photos yesterday showed the cones, but there was no good look at the plant or foliage.  So, here I'm going to post a few photos of nursery plants where you get a feel for the foliage and also some close ups of the leaves of leaflets.  Like I previously said, we have many sizes for sale and I've even heard of people growing this species in their home.  The second photo to the right shows a variant of leaf form.  This is the "curly" leaflet form.  Note how the leaflets are "rolled" at the edges.  There is even a "tubular" form as well.   Below are three nursery plants.  We always have this species in stock.

NEW TRACHYCARPUS ARTICLE I thought you'd like to know about a fairly comprehensive new article I just posted yesterday on this interesting cold hardy genus.  Check it out.  There are photos of the new species and information on culture, usage in the landscape and cold protection.  Click on photo to the right.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

ENCEPHALARTOS FEROX RED CONE CYCAD, SOUTH AFRICA This is a very attractive cycad that has leaves that look like a Holly Fern.  It is very primitive looking with a span of about six to eight feet.  The caudex never gets overly big, perhaps 18 inches or a bit more in maximal girth.  But, the striking thing about this species are the cones.  They are brilliant red or orange color.  I've found that the female cones (which look like pineapples) tend to me more red colored.  The male cones (sort of corn cob shaped) are usually more of an orange.  But, this is variable among individual plants.  The leaves are dark olive green if given a bit of sun protection, more lime green in full sun.  In inland areas, filtered light is needed.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.  Yesterday at the greenhouse I was pleasantly surprised to see this red female cone shown here. I'll show a few other cones and plants.  We have all sizes of this species from affordable band size up to coning specimens.  Every plant enthusiast should have one of these amazing plants.  They are easy to grow.  I am showing gallery photos side by side of male and female cones to see the difference.  Female cones are about 12 to 16 inches long and about 10 inches wide.  The last photo shows a super deep red female cone.

CYCAS WADEI, VAR. PALAWAN This is a very rare cycad from the Philippines. It is closely related to Cycas curranii and from the same general area.  This species gets a trunk up to 15 feet, about a foot thick.  The foliage is upright.  They tolerate full sun along the coast but would need protection in inland areas.  This is a very attractive species.  Shown here is an old 15g plant with about a foot of trunk.  I don't have any pictures of mature plants in my gallery, but they resemble palm trees in their mature stage.  This species can be grown in Southern California but its lowest cold tolerance is not established.  It is very difficult to locate one for sale.  I have shown close up photos of the leaflets.  Note that they are very thin.  A trunk picture is also shown.

LEPIDOZAMIA HOPEI This species of cycad gets enormous!  I mean really tall.  There are specimens with heights to almost 60 feet.  Leaves are six to ten feet long.  Leaflets are soft and without spines or armor. For this reason, it is felt to be a very user friendly cycad.  But, you must give it adequate room to grow.  Shown is a cit pot size of this fairly rare cycad.  Compared to the Lepidozamia peroffskyana, the hopei leaflets are wider.  This is the best way to tell them apart when they are young.  Shown is a mature specimen but realize over centuries they get taller than this plant.   The citrus size plant that is shown is $175.  It is about 6 years old.  With prevention of international shipment of seeds presently, this is a near impossible species to find.  And, it is so easy to grow and does great in many areas of Southern California.  Also is a near boxed size plant at the nursery.  A close up photo of the leaf is presented along with a picture of a female cone from one of our plants.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011

HYOPHORBE INDICA Most people have heard of this genus from the Reunion Islands.  It includes the interesting Bottle Palm and Spindle Palm.  Well, there is another species that is more cold tolerant than either of these.  It is Hyophorbe indica.  There are quite a few of these doing well outdoors in Southern California.  I'd estimate cold tolerance at the mid to upper twenties F.  Unlike it's two sisters in this genus, this species does not get a huge bulge in the trunk.  It is a bit "swollen" but only mildly so.  As a younger plant it sometimes has a dark wine red color to the petioles and crown shaft. It gets to about 20 feet and wants full sun.  It will eventually die in shade (from fungal infections).  In desert locations, partial sun would probably be best if you don't get too cold.  Shown here is an outdoor grown boxed specimen that saw 2007 winter cold of 25 degrees.  We also have 5g and 15g plants for sale.  It is very attractive for a smaller palm.  Below is shown is a flowering specimen grown in San Diego, CA and a 5g nursery plant.

DICTYOSPERMA ALBUM The genus Dictyosperma is often quoted as having only one species, D. album. This is one time I would disagree with taxonomists.  When you examine different plants in this genus, they certainly don't all look the same.  With this said, shown here is the prototype, the "monotypic" species for this genus, D. album.  It is from the Mascarene Islands and is a single trunk, crown shafted, pinnate palm that gets to about 25 feet height.  Like the Hyophorbe above, this plant has been outdoor grown and seen 25 degree temperatures.  It is rare to find for sale, especially of this size. Also shown is a mature specimen in a garden.  We also  have a limited number of 15g and possibly 5g for sale.

CRESTED LIGULARIA SPECIES I like to show different companion plants from time to time.  Previously in this thread I've mentioned a Ligularia that I have grown for decades at my home.  The presently described species we just got in and have in 2g size.  These are "crested" (ruffled) at the leaf edges and very attractive.  The like sun or part sun and adequate water.  Cold hardiness is pretty good.  I don't know the minimum, but suspect it's in the low 20's F. Shown is a mature 15g plant.  Ligularia all have blossoms, usually yellow in color. This particular one is really rare and difficult to find.  We have limited numbers so come by soon.  We had to get these from divisions of a single plant, the only one we knew was available.  Plants only get to about 18 inches of height.  Below is the more standard variety that I try to keep in stock.

DYPSIS SPECIES, UNUSUAL We just got in a very limited number of unusual Dypsis from Madagascar.  These are from wild collected seeds and are not something we recognize for sure.  So, for you "Dypsis Freaks", come by.  We only have a few.  We have ideas as to what these are, but don't want to guess in this thread.  We predict it's going to be a larger Dypsis species.  Only these 1.5 g plants are available.  By the way, we've been growing Dypsis long before  the major reference book by Dransfield was written and have had as many as fifty species at one time.  Remember though, over the last several decades the majority of Dypsis were sold as "species" to only later be given a name. My point here is that, if you will only buy a known species, you'll be missing out on a lot of the cutting edge plants. Such a person assumes that the grower "has to know" the name of the species, but in fact no one might know for sure.

CERATOZAMIA SPECIES CURLED LEAFLET Here is another example of a species of a genus that doesn't seem to match known species descriptions.  It is quite an old plant and we only have one.  It's caudex is perhaps 4 inches and I'd estimate it at an age of 12 years.  The interesting thing is the curl downward and inward of the leaflets.  It's petiole is somewhat red as you can see.  It's leaves are short, under 2 feet.  It would want filtered light in most garden areas and would fit in that "small area" of the garden amongst other plants. It is really an attractive plant.  It sort of reminds me of Ceratozamia microstrobilus, But the recurve of the leaflets and their shape isn't right.  You have to agree it's quite an adorable plant.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

PRITCHARDIA SPECIES, DWARF As I have mentioned previously, Jungle Music was one of the first nurseries in the continental U.S. to commercially offer Pritchardia species for sale.  This is mostly because I personally have a great deal of affinity for this genus, the only native palm species of Hawaii.  They are tropical appearing, exotic, un-armed and fairly easy to grow.  They break up the monotony of a garden that only has pinnate species.  Shown here is a specimen Pritchardia that we call "super dwarf".  We don't know the exact species but can tell you it is outdoor grown, at least 12 years old, and has many flower spikes coming while it's growing in this 24 inch box.  Look at the height.  It is only about six feet tall at maximum.  I predict this plant will never be over ten feet tall.  And, it's gorgeous.  We only have this one for sale, but have lots of other species of great Pritchardia., all sizes.   They are 15g size in reality.

PRITCHARDIA BECCARIANA OK, another Pritchardia.  This one is a species that for years was talked about as being the most cold hardy of all the species. I think it'll go well into the mid-twenties F. The most cold tolerant?  I don't know for sure.  But, it's a great plant for any garden. It has very large, flat "Licuala-like" leaves and a beautiful green color.  The leaves are exquisite.  This is a ten year old boxed specimen, ready for your garden.  It'll get to about 20 feet and can take full coastal sun.  It's been locally grown, outdoors and has already seen 25 degrees.  in the photo is Joaquin, who's worked with me for 17 years.  The last photo is from a garden.

PINANGA CORONATA I just got in three beautiful, big 5g plants of this exotic species.  This is a suckering pinnate palm that gets to about 12 feet and can be grown easily in coastal So Cal.  It will possibly even make purple fruit for you.  It likes filtered light.  It's a medium rate grower.  Garden plants are typically just gorgeous appearing.  These plants are about 4 feet tall and a great size to put in the garden.  This size is normally $85, but these will go for $75 until they are gone.  They won't last long.  (no double discounts on these).

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

VOANIOLA GERARDII This is a single trunk, pinnate palm from Madagascar.  It is unbelievably rare and almost impossible to obtain.  Seeds are protected by CITES and no more seeds can enter the U.S. We have several plants for sale.  It is a very tall plant when mature but maintains a thin trunk.  It has green leaves and many say it looks like an upright Coconut Palm.  It is near extinct in the wild because locals have cut them down.  It is also very slow growing.  Shown here is a 7g plant.  We have only one or two and perhaps a 5g.  It is so rare that I do not have a photo of a mature plant.  One can Google the name if they wish for habitat pictures.  There are no large trees in any botanical gardens.  This is an expensive plant but will never be offered again.

CERATOZAMIA SP. "PACIFICA" This is a very unique cycad; it is the only Ceratozamia known to be from the western side of Mexico.  It has long, rather dependent leaves with wide leaflets.  Shown is a 5g plant.  It is very exotic appearing.  I apologize but right now have no pictures of a mature plant.

DIOON HOLMGRENII This is another Mexican cycad.  It is a medium sized plant when mature.  It has a full head of leaves that get to about 4 feet long, will slowly over decades developed several feet of trunk, and prefers full sun.  It's cold tolerance is into the low 20's F.  Shown to the right is a 15g plant with about a five inch caudex.  It is similar yet distinct from such other species as Dioon califanoi and merolae.  I have also shown close-up pictures of the leaflets and trunk.  It is fairly rare and hard to find with any size to the caudex.  The last photo shows a mature plant in a garden.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 3011

ENCEPHALARTOS ARENARIUS This is a South African species from the region of Natal, Republic of S.A.  It is a medium sized cycad that can take full sun in many area, but in the hottest localities likes strong filtered light.  As you can see, the leaflets are quite spiny.  The crown is medium sized.  It is similar in appearance in some ways to the blue Encephalartos horridus.  But, the cone and color are different.  Color of the leaves of E. arenarius ranges from dark green to blue. The plant pictured in the first three photos is a blue green color and about 20 years old with a 16 inch caudex.  Close-ups of the leaflets and trunk are given.  Also shown are photos of smaller plants we have for sale.

RHAPIDOPHYLLUM HYSTRIX This is a type of Needle Palm from the southeastern area of the United Sates. It is a fan palm, suckers, and would be considered a "dwarf" species as it rarely gets over 8 feet tall.  A most noteworthy characteristic is its unbelievable cold tolerance.  It has been known to tolerate temperatures below 0 degrees F.  It's color is typically green, darker when grown in filtered light.  Shown is a 5g plant and a mature specimen.  The last photo below shows the trunk.  Note the needles protruding out from the trunk.  Thus we get the name of Needle Palm.  This species is a very popular mail order item for our nursery.

ARCHONTOPHOENIX MYOLENSIS This species is a type of King Palm.  The normal King Palm which everyone knows is A. cunninghamiana.  All King Palms are from Australia.  The thing that is very nice with the A. myolensis is the beautiful emerald green crown shaft.  The trunk is also quite nice.  Cold tolerance is into the mid twenties F.  If one can give this palm partial or part day sun, it will be the most exquisite appearing. Along the coast it will tolerate full sun.  Shown is one of a very few 15g plants which we have.  These are 8 to 9 feet tall, $175.  So, if you want a type of King Palm, this is many people's favorite one to use.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2011

TRACHYCARPUS WAGNERIANUS I'm showing this species again because since I showed the 5g plant, people wanted to know if I had larger.  I do!  Shown here is a 15g plant with a close-up of the hairy trunk and a larger, 15 year old specimen I have for sale.  The 15g size can be shipped, although shipping is not cheap with big plants.  The shown boxed specimen is indeed very old. It has perhaps 3 feet of trunk.  The last photo shows the tiny nature of the leaves of this species and why so many people refer to this palm as "cute".  I think they're right.

DYPSIS LEPTOCHEILOS This is one of my favorite species of rather new introductions from Madagascar.  Known as the Teddy Bear Palm, this is a single trunk species that gets to about 20 - 25 and has a reddish fuzzy crown shaft.  The trunk can be a beautiful silver color when properly grown. It's cold tolerance is into the mid to upper 20's F.  It can tolerate full sun along the coast.  Shown is a 15g plant.  We only have a few.  These are $195.  This species is somewhat hard to find nowadays.

DIOON CALIFANOI I talked about this species a few days ago.  I just wanted to show another garden shot of this species and remind you that we are having a special on seedlings. I can ship these anywhere in the U.S. Shown to the immediate right is a band sized seedling.  Normal price for these is $65.  Special price is $45, over 30% off!  Just mention this website to get this price. Perhaps this will become one of your favorites as well.  See post on this species below for more pictures.

ENCEPHALARTOS CAFFER This is another dwarf South African species.  Often referred to as "cute", this species always stays small and is a green cycad with a touch of gray or blue to the leaves.  It's another sun loving species for that small spot in the garden.  Shown is the band size of caffer, about 3 years old.  These are normally $85, but mention this special and they are $65, 24% off!.   Also shown is a mature garden specimen. As you become familiar with cycads, you'll come to find that this is a very rare species at nurseries.

LEPIDOZAMIA HOPEI This species of cycad gets enormous!  I mean, really tall.  There are specimens with heights to almost 60 feet.  Leaves are six to ten feet long.  Leaflets are soft and without spines or armor. For this reason, it is felt to be a very user friendly cycad.  But, you must give it adequate room to grow.  Shown is a cit pot size of this fairly rare cycad.  Compared to the Lepidozamia peroffskyana, the hopei leaflets are wider.  This is the best way to tell them apart when they are young.  Shown is a mature specimen but realize over centuries they get taller than this plant.   We have available citrus pot size $175 and much larger plants up to boxed coning size.

ENCEPHALARTOS LEHMANII This is one of the four "basic blue" Encephalartos coming from the Natal province in South Africa.  This group of four species includes E. lehmannii, princeps, horridus, and trispinosus.  All are brilliantly blue in color of the leaflets.  E. horridus and trispinosus are known for their spiny and barbed leaflets.  E. lehmannii and princeps are more simple leaves with pointed leaflet tips. I've previously shown pictures of some of these below, but thought I'd show the seedling E. lehmannii here.  These are normally $55 but if you mention this website promotion, they are $45, 18% off!.  A mature specimen is shown to the right. We have many sizes of this species for sale, so if you want a mature or larger plant, let us know.

DYPSIS LUTESCENS This is a suckering species of Dypsis that is desirable because it doesn't get too tall.  Most specimens in the San Diego area are between 12 and 18 feet.  it will typically produce anywhere from five to 20 stems.  It tolerates temperatures into the mid-twenties F. and prefers good sun if along the coast.  Shown here is are 20g plants about 8 to 9 feet tall.  We also have 3 g plants and 15g plants for sale.  This is a good "neighbor blocker" type of plant because of it's fullness.  If one wants a "thinner" plant, stems can be removed.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

ZAMIA LINDENII This is a South American tropical Zamia that gets a tall trunk over time and has long, somewhat arching exotic green leaves.  It makes a very good looking containerized plant.  We've found it takes temperatures down to about a freeze and is fairly quick growing.  It likes good draining soil.  In the garden, we'd recommend filtered light conditions.  Here I am showing an affordable citrus pot size plant and a close-up of the leaf. If you have a greenhouse, this is a superb species to grow as it'll give a good sized plant in not too much time.   I am also showing a good sized domestic plant.

TRITHRINAX ACANTHICOMA This South American fan palm is native to Brazil and some adjacent areas.  It gets a height of about 20 feet and a spiny trunk that has a random, bizarre look.  There are needles of good size on the trunk.  The crown is medium sized and sort of resembles a Trachycarpus, but bigger in size.  Shown is a nice, shippable 7g size plant.  We also have 15g and 5g sizes. Fruits are a cream color and attractive.  Also shown is a mature plant.  This species likes sun, is cold hardy to about 15 degrees and is an ideal candidate for the garden in colder localities.

ZOMBIA ANTILLARUM This is an unusual suckering fan palm from the West Indies.  It's height is typically about ten feet.  The trunks are known for their unusual pattern of matting and spines.  Cold hardiness is down to about a freeze and they like full sun and heat.  Shown here is a 5g plant.  Also shown is a mature plant and a close-up of the trunk.  It is unusual, isn't it?

ZAMIA MURICATA This is a small to medium sized South American tropical Zamia from Venezuela.  It grows in filtered light and is somewhat cold hardy.  There has been no problems growing this in my San Diego location.  It gets leaves that are about four feet long and seems to sucker a lot.  It is fairly exotic appearing and difficult to find.  Shown here is a one gallon plant, a citrus pot size plant, a close-up photo showing the leaflets, and a larger domestic plant.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011

ENCEPHALARTOS LAURENTIANUS This, from a leaf length point of view, is the largest cycad in the world.  For decades this was sort of a "mystery" species because no one had one, there were none for sale, and no one had really seen one.  But, over the years, a few seeds have become available and this plant is being grown by a few people.  Trunks can get to almost thirty feet and are about two feet thick.  But, the hallmark of this species are it's huge leaves, typically fifteen to twenty feet long.   It is native to the Congo.  As a juvenile plant, the leaflets are unique and a good way to recognize this species.  I have shown pictures of a few nursery plants that we have.  Also, there's a picture below of a rather juvenile plant in a domestic garden.  I apologize that I don't have a picture right now of an immense mature specimen.  But, trust that they do get very large and need room to grow.  Cold tolerance is presumed to be about to freezing.  It likes sun along the coast and perhaps some protection or part sun inland.  We have some smaller plants for sale that could easily be shipped within the U.S.

CARYOTA NO Yes, this name is typed correctly.  It is a peculiar name for a palm.  This Fishtail Palm is one of my favorites.  When I first saw it in Java at the Bogor Botanical Garden, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was.  It has a bit thinner trunk than many of the other single trunk Fishtails, but the leaves reminded me of a fern in the sky. It gets to about 30 feet and can be grown in Southern California.  It's cold tolerance is into the upper twenties F.  It, for me, started in part day sun and grew into full sun.  My tree is presently making flowers.  I'd Estimate cold tolerance to be upper twenties F., compared to upper teens F. on many clones of the popular C. urens.  Shown here is a 20g plant with close-ups of the leaves.  Also shown is that plant in Bogor that I saw in the 1980's and a locally grown plant in Southern California.  Note that the juvenile foliage of the nursery plant will mature into the multipinnate leaves shown below.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

CHAMAEDOREA ERNESTI-AUGUSTII This is a dwarf, miniature size, shade-loving species from Mexico that has simple, entire leaves.  Typically these are seen with heights under 3 feet but over decades they can become 5 to 6 feet tall.  This is a very "cute" species that one can sneak into almost any small shady spot in the garden.  It is cold tolerant to the upper 20's F.  We've found they look nice planted as multiples or small colonies.  .

CHAMAEDOREA BRACHYPODA This is a small suckering species that prefers shade and, like the species above, has entire small leaflets.  It forms thin trunks that typically get to about 5 feet tall or a bit more.  It's leaflets are small and stems typically hold five or six leaflets.  It is very attractive.  If you have very hard water, you might see brown tipping on the leaves.  Cold tolerance is the upper 20's F. We have a few larger specimens of this species for sale.

CHAMBEYRONIA HOOKERI This is a magnificent palm from New Caledonia.  It is a medium sized mature tree and is most known for its blonde colored crown shaft.  Some would consider it to be a variant of C. macrocarpa.  Either way it is really special.  It typically sports a new red emerging leaf and perhaps is slower growing than the macrocarpa.  Cold hardiness is approximately the mid- twenties F, perhaps a bit lower.  I've received reports of it tolerating full sun along the coast.  We have a very limited selection of these for sale.  I'm showing a picture of a typical new red leaf, which lasts for several weeks.  The garden picture was taken in Hawaii.  I've found that plants grown in Southern California typically get to about 25 feet.  Local trees have formed fruit here.  These are large, red, and very attractive.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2011

TODAY I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT PLANTS.  I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FIRST TWO RAVENEA.  THEY ARE SUPERB PLANTS AND WOULD DO WELL IN MOST PEOPLE'S GARDENS. 

RAVENEA GLAUCA This is a small to medium sized, single trunk pinnate palm from Madagascar.  It is proving to be quite popular because it has a thin trunk and doesn't get too tall.  It is easy to grow, rather fast growing, and tolerates full sun unless you live in the far inland areas.  Mature height is to about 20, perhaps 25 feet.  Cold tolerance is the low 20's f.  We just got in some oversized 15g, a special purchase. They are about 7 feet tall. These are really nice plants so I am showing several photos.  The last photo is a plant in a garden in Encinitas, CA.  It is not yet mature.

RAVENEA SPECIES, UNKNOWN We are very excited about these plants that we just got in.  They seem to resemble a species we previously had called "Ravenea species New", but also resemble Ravenea monticola.  These are huge plants for their 15g size.  We anticipate these will peak out at a height of 25 to 30 feet and have a medium sized trunk.  Cold tolerance is not known for sure, but would anticipate this species taking temps down into the mid- twenties F.  We only have a few available.  The last photo shows a fruiting Ravenea monticola.  On the close-up of the base of the nursery plant, note the "foot" adjacent to the trunk base.  Many Ravenea have this "foot".

RHOPALOSTYLIS SAPIDA This species is from New Zealand and is a medium sized, prominently crown shafted palm that gets to a height of about 25 degrees.  Along the coast it can take full sun, inland it prefers filtered light or part day sun.  Cold tolerance is somewhere between 22 and 24 degrees F.  Shown first is a 5g plant, about 3 feet tall, price is $65.  Also shown are mature plants in Balboa Park, San Diego.  At the nursery we have smaller sizes available as well as a pretty good assortment of larger ones.  We also have R. baueri and cheesemanii.  These last two species have a different appearance and are less upright in the crown.  Below I am also showing a 15g and 20g size of R. sapida.

ENCEPHALARTOS NATALENSIS Yesterday I showed you a very large specimen of this species.  Here is another variety with a different leaf form.  It also has a large caudex. This one is about 20 years old and has a 14 inch trunk.  Leaf height is about 7 feet as shown. The second photo is a garden specimen of the same species.

CAPOXYLON MACROSPERMA This is a very pretty crown shafted palm tree of medium size.  The crown has slightly recurved leaves.  It tolerates temperatures to about freezing.  It comes from the island of Vanuatu.  Shown here is a nice 5g plant and a mature specimen This is a very rare species to find at nurseries.

ZAMIA ELEGANTISSIMA This is a very beautiful medium sized tropical Zamia from the country of Panama in Central America.  Shown to the left is a seedling of this species.  Also shown is a near 50 year old nursery specimen (male).  You can see how nice the mature plant is with it's full crown of leaves. It's no surprise it was named "elegant" - issima.

CYPHOPHOENIX NUCELE This is another very pretty crown shafted palm from New Caledonia. It gets to about 20-25 feet and has an upright crown of leaves and has a nice dark green color. Cold tolerance is to about 27 degrees F.  Shown here is a 5g plant  and a mature specimen.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011

CHAMAEDOREA RADICALIS TRUNKING, NON-TRUNKING FORMS This is a single trunk and typically dwarf Chamaedorea.  However, there is a stem forming variety.  The regular form only gets to about three to four feet.  The trunking form gets to about eight to ten feet. I've also found that the trunking radicalis has thinner leaves and the trunk appears different, even as a juvenile plant.  Shown here is first the regular variety and then the trunking variety.  I hope you can see the difference between the two.  We have both for sale.  Both are fairly cold hardy, probably into the upper teens F.  The regular form can take sun along the coast.  When the regular form blossoms, the female holds the flowers and seeds above the leaves. This is fun to see.  The seeds are black and the bracts are orange.  The last photo is a larger specimen of the trunking form.

ENCEPHALARTOS NATALENSIS A Large Mature Specimen This cycad species is from South Africa and is a fast growing green cycad species. It is hard to find, being available usually only at a cycad specialty nursery.  Growth rate in the ground is quick and it forms a good sized trunk in ten to twenty years. The crown size is medium to large in size and the leaves are a dark green.  Shown is a large specimen that we obtained from a private estate.  It is in a box and has about a foot and a half of trunk.  Of note, there are multiple varieties of E. natalensis, each one a little different than the others. In most areas one would grow this species in full sun.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's f.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

CERATOZAMIA, THE GENUS A Fantastic Group of Cycads for Filtered Light My post this morning is going to be a bit different.  Rather than talk about one species, I am going to show you a lot of plants from one genus.  Ceratozamia is a genus of cycads that are New World, mostly from Mexico and Central America. They are exotic appearing cycads that typically prefer filtered light and in some cases full sun.  Most species have wide leaflets, some have narrow leaflets.  Most have spines on the petioles and cones that have prongs visible.  There are a multitude of species in this genus, many yet to be formally described and named.  Taxonomists in Mexico have begun naming more species recently.  For most, cold hardiness is into the low 20's F.  I am going to show you a whole assortment of nursery plants that we either have or have had in this genus.  We have thousands of plants in this genus for sale of many species.  My hope is that you'll develop an affinity for these plants and think about ways to use them in your garden.  I am showing you mostly smaller affordable plants.   We do have a lot bigger. I could show countless photos here of this fantastic genus.  But, a dozen or two will give you an idea of how they look.  I've included species names, but note that many are undetermined or not yet named.  Many of these species are ideal for that small spot in the garden that doesn't get much sun and needs an attractive plant to finish off the area.

Ceratozamia mexicana

Ceratozamia mexicana	Ceratozamia "pacifica"	Ceratozamia species
Ceratozamia sp. "corriente"	Ceratozamia species	Ceratozamia latifolia
Ceratozamia species	Ceratozamia dwarf species	Ceratozamia species

Ceratozamia hildae	Ceratozamia kuesteriana	Ceratozamia microstrobilus
Ceatozamia palma sol	Ceratozamia plumosa	Ceratozamia species Belize

Ceratozamia robusta, upright leaves

Ceratozamia miquelliana

Ceratozamia species thin leaflets

At our nursery we have a vast assortment of very cool Ceratozamia.  We have everything from seedlings to big, coning boxed specimens.  If you have any questions about specific species, feel free to email or call us.  Our email link is at the bottom of every page of this website.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011

HOWEA BELMOREANA This umbrella shaped species is from the island of Lord Howe and is in the same family as the Kentia Palm.  However, there are striking differences, mostly in the appearance of the leaves and crown.  This species has a curve of the leaves toward the ground, giving it the umbrella shaped crown. It is also a bit more cold hardy, possibly to as low as 24 degrees.  It can take full sun along the coast and wants protection inland. Shown here is a super 15g plant as well as very nice sized 1g.  The specimen photo demonstrates the shape of the crown of leaves.  The larger containerized palm is about 7 feet tall and already shows the curved nature of the leaves.  This species can also be grown as a houseplant.

ACROCOMIA ACULEATA I'm a little reluctant to mention this species, but feel I should.  It is so hard to find these here in CA.  Seeds can take up to 4 years to germinate.  And, when they do, you only get about a one to five percent germination rate. We just potted up two new seedlings.  I don't have a photo of these right now, but will show a previous 2g plant that we sold.  Also shown is a mature plant.  This species is known for it's spines on the trunks.  It likes full sun. If you want one of these, act quickly as the few I have will be gone in a few days.  Growth rate is good and they like full sun.  Very few collectors have an Acrocomia.

PHILODENDRON CANNIFOLIUM This species is a very rare, rosette type of shade loving plant.  It is quite unique and never runs or gets too large.  It is near impossible to find at nurseries.  We had this species about 2 years ago and are about to get in perhaps a dozen more.  They are very cool.  The size of a mature plants is about 30 inches wide.  They like filtered light.  The stems get very bulbous and chunky and the leaves are about 8 inches wide, almost like a paddle.  Don't miss out!   I am showing a gallery photo of this species as well as one in a garden. By the way, this species is not known as a climbing species.  Rather, it hugs the ground.

PHILODENDRON RED CONGO This is another very desirable Philodendron that likes filtered light and is quite showy. They are only intermittently available on the market.  We presently have some 2g plants for sale.  They are easy to grow and take temperatures down to about a freeze.  The plants definitely have a red color to the underside of the leaves and stems.  Shown are the 2g size we have available and a larger plant to show its beauty.  Both this species and the previous Philodendron would be considered "Companion Plants", plants that fill spots in the garden that are too small for a palm or cycad.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

LIGULARIA Ligularia is an interesting group of plants coming from Europe, Asia and Africa.  There are many different species in this genus.  The ones we sell are second and third generation plants from our own stock.  They have a Lily Pad type of leaves and produce yellow daisy-like blossoms in the Fall.  They prefer some protection from the full sun and can grow in filtered light. They do like moisture and can be considered an "indicator plant" that tells you when your soil is getting dry.  They'll droop over.  If you then give them some water, they bounce right back up by morning.  They are easy to grow if you keep them adequately watered. We have affordable smaller sizes for sale. If you start with a few plants, over time and with vegetative propagation, you can have many colonies of nice size plants.  They are a great companion plant and ideal for parkways by the street.

Photo by RT

DYPSIS SPECIES "LANCEONADA" The name above is one we coined at the nursery because this plant, although similar to Dypsis lanceolata, has some striking differences.  First, it's petioles and upper stem area are darker in color (brown to sometimes red) and they are hairy.  They do sucker like regular lanceolata. But, the big difference seems to be in culture. They take more sun than lanceolata, are faster growing and easier to grow.  Some along the coast are growing them in almost full sun, something not possible with regular lanceolata. Who knows if it's a variety or something else. We have 1g plants and a limited number of 5g and 15g plants.  Shown here is a fine one gallon plant.  Hopefully you can see the red- brown fuzz in the crown shaft area.  We are very excited about this introduction.  BTW, the name here includes "nada" meaning that it's not the real lanceolata or at the minimum, a variety type plant or a hybrid.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011

DYPSIS BARONII This species, in my opinion, should be considered a "complex" rather than a single species with one appearance. We have come to find that D. baronii has many morphological varieties.  Differences involve color of the crownshaft or stem, leaf appearance, caliper of the trunks, color of the petiole and leaf appearance.  Shown to the right is one with dark, red stems.  Also shown are larger specimens.  You will note how all of these look a bit different.  I have found similar "complex" status with D. decipiens, onilahensis and others.  The containerized plant here is a one gallon; we also have 5g and 15g on this species.  This species does sucker, typically gets to ten- fifteen feet, likes partial sun or filtered light in interior areas, and is a medium rate grower.  Cold tolerance is into the mid-twenties F.  The last two photos are native habitat pictures.  The second one is from a CA garden, showing the crown- shaft.

SPECIAL ON BARE ROOT SEEDLINGS!  MIX OR MATCH BELOW: ONE EACH OF ALL THREE
FOR $49.99 PLUS S/H AND PHTYO IF NEEDED.

LEPIDOZAMIA PEROFSKYANA This is an un-armed, dark green and very lush Australian cycad.  It does get quite large and over one's lifetime can get a very tall trunk.  We call it a "user-friendly" cycad because you can brush the leaves against your face without pain.  We are offering a good buy on these bare root seedlings:  #3 for $59.99 plus s/h and phtyo if your state requires one.  These are 1-3 year old plants that we are putting into 1g pots. We also have bigger plants in larger sizes like 5g to 24 inch box.    A larger plant in a 25g is shown below.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F

ENCEPHALARTOS GRATUS This is another rare cycad, this time an Encephalartos from South Africa.  This one likes full sun along the coast and part sun inland.  These are bare root seedlings with the special price of #3 seedlings, $44.99 plus s/h Also shown is a larger garden plant.  We also have for sale 5g, 15g, and big boxed specimens.  This species makes a big cycad and is cold tolerant into the low 20's F.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011

ENCEPHALARTOS FEROX This is another South African cycad with leaflets that look like a Holly Fern. It is a medium sized plant that essentially does not form vertical trunk.  It is best known for its colorful cones, fire engine red with the female.  Shown are seedlings of this spcies.  Our special is #3 seedlings, $44.99 plu s/h.   We also have 5g, 15g and coning sized boxed plants.  The second photo is a 15g. Below is a mature female plant with that super red female cone.

CHAMAEROPS CERIFERA THE BLUE MEDITERRANEAN FAN I wouldn't say that this blue suckering fan palm from north Africa is particularly rare, but to many it is the perfect palm for their needs.  It doesn't get too tall, it is extremely cold hardy, and it has a nice blue color.   We have various sizes for sale.  Shown is a box and some smaller 5g sized plants.  The 5g are $65 and a great size for shipping with mail order.  If you are hot and in an inland location, they will be much more blue in your hands than our as we are so close to the beach. For people in areas like northern FL, central TX or the central Valley in CA, this is a great species for you.  Cold hardiness to about 15 degrees, prefer full hot sun.

BECCARIOPHOENIX MADAGASCARENSIS WINDOW VARIETY Taxonomy on the species of the genus Beccariophoenix has been in a state of flux in recent times.  Some "species" are yet to have firm names.  The one shown here is therefore known as the "window" variety because of the formation of the "windows" in the leaf.  See Photos.  Shown is a nursery plant in a 15g, very nice, $200. Also shown are a close up of the leaf of this species and an older plant in a garden. We also have 5g plants for sale. They like full sun when larger (coastal) and have tolerated temperatures in the mid-twenties F. at our nursery outside, during the terrible winter of 2007

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011

RAVENEA XEROPHILA This species from Madagascar is native to the southern portion of this country, where it is hot and dry.  It is a pinnate palm that is blue in color (sometimes blue-green) and doesn't get overly tall.  It is peculiar in that, after germination, it has a tap root radical that is very similar to a cycad.  It is a slow grower and likes heat and full sun. Cold tolerance is uncertain as of yet because it is a new introduction.  But, we're predicting it will be in the mid to low 20's F.  Shown is a 20 gallon tree can, an 8 to 10 year old tree. We also have citrus pot size.   I apologize but I don't have any good pictures of mature specimens at this time.

RHOPALOSTYLIS SAPIDA This is a very desirable palm tree.  It is single trunk, pinnate and has a swollen, prominent crown shaft.  Known as the Shaving Brush or Feather Duster Palm, looking at the mature specimen will tell you why it got these names. It likes sun or part sun along the coast and filtered light far inland.  It is cold tolerant into the mid to low 20's F.  Shown here are two good sized 15g plant.  We also have 2g, 5g, and possibly some boxes for sale.  Also shown are mature plants at Balboa Park in San Diego, CA.  Of the two containerized plants to the right, the second photo shows the more classical, wedge shaped crown of this species. If you like this species, we have something available for everyone's budget.

ENCEPHALARTOS ALTENSTEINII We have one of the best selections of African cycads in the country.  This species makes a large, impressive plant.  It is a quick grower, has green leaves, has a thick trunk to over 24 inches in diameter.  In your lifetime you can grow such a specimen with at least six feet of trunk (depending on what size you start with and your age).  Shown here is a 20 yo plant that would make a good start.  Cycads are much faster growing in the ground than in containers. This specimen has a nice caudex appearance and a full crown of typical leaves.  This is one of several of this species I have in a boxed size. We also have seedlings, 5g, 15g, etc for sale. I am not showing a garden specimen plant because most look no different than this one.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011

DIOON ANGUSTIFOLIA This Mexican cycad forms trunks that never get too tall and have very thin leaflets.  It will sucker with additional plants near the base of the primary trunk.  It likes full hot sun and is cold hardy into the teens.  It is similar to Dioon edule, but has thinner leaflets. We only have larger specimens of this species (D. edules have smaller plants) The second photo shows the thin leaflets.  The last photo shows a plant that is suckering.  All of these plants are at the nursery and very old, twenty years or more.

ENCEPHALARTOS CERINUS This small African cycad is known for being quite attractifve and for its small stature.  Its caudex never gets much larger than a cantelope.  The leaves are short, the color is green to gray-green. Shown here are band sized plants of this very rare species.  Also shown is a mature plant.  We also have for sale some 5g plants and perhaps some larger. They like sun and are cold hardy into the low twenties F.   You can see how you can "sneak" one of these into almost any small sunny location.  They are very rare and hard to find.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

TI, RED-BLACK COLOR From time to time we get in nice Hawaiaan Ti plants.  We just got in some extremely nice and tall Ti's that have excellent color.  They are about three feet tall, full foliage and most are tiples.  Very limited supply.  Ti's prefer filtered light and take down to about a freeze.

RAVENEA GLAUCA This is a fairly rare single trunk palm from Madagascar.  In souther California it seems to get to about 20 feet with a thinner trunk.  It is easy to grow and likes sun and heat.  Far inland, protection may be needed from sun.  It is cold tolerant at least into the upper twenties F, perhaps lower.  Shown is one of several large 25g that we have for sale.  We also have 5g and a few 15g plants available.  This is a super plant for the garden.  The garden plant is about 8 years old and in Encinitas, CA

CERATOZAMIA LATIFOLIA This cycad species gets medium sized with a crown span of about 8 feet.  It has wide leaflets and throws new leaves which are reddish brown (as shown).  Native to Mexico, it is very exotic and prefers filtered light.  Water needs are low.  Shown is a 5g plant and a photo of the leaves of a mature specimen.  The leaves hang out to the side, so give it room to show it off.

ZAMIA MURICATA This is a small to medium sized cycad from Venezuela.  They get to about six feet tall and sucker freely.  The leaf length is about 4 feet long.  The leaflets have fine spination at their terminal ends. A decade ago, this species was easier to find that it is today.  Cold tolerance is to about a freeze, perhaps a bit later. I'd recommend filtered light.  The mature plant is from the Caracas Botanical Garden in Venezuela.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011

DYPSIS MADAGASCARENSIS, SUCKERING FORM Dypsis madagascarensis is a native palm to Madagascar that has a single trunk form (often referred to as Dypsis madagascarensis var. lucabensis) or a suckering form.  It gets to about 25 feet, is fairly cold hardy, and has medium thickness to the trunks.  Pictured is the suckering form, a 5g plant, about 4 to 5 feet tall, $65.  The other photo shows mature trunks of this species.  I only have a few of these left.

CYCAS PETRAEA This is a very interesting cycad species for several reasons.  First, it is quite cold hardy, tolerating temperatures below freezing and known to take snow.  Second, it is a rather small cycad species, rarely over six to eight feet of trunk.  Finally, it has an unusual smooth skin to the caudex.  These plants are huge, the biggest of this species that I've seen on the market and almost fill their ten gallon containers.  Priced at $450, they won't last long.  I only have one or two of these left.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011

PHOENIX THEOPHRASTII This is one of the two species of palms that is native to the European area.  The other is Chamaerops.  This species is a suckering palm that appears to be related to Phoenix dactylifera, which is common in the Middle East.  However, this species is smaller in stature.  It's leaves are quite brisk with pointed leaves.  There are variable reports on size, some being 20 feet, others 40 when mature.  The remarkable thing is that it appears to be very cold hardy. Reports are that this palm easily goes down into the teens.  Shown is a 5g plant which is $65 and a garden specimen that is suckering. This species wants sun and heat.

RHAPIS MULTIFIDA I want to revisit this species.  It has been one of our hottest sellers of the season. This is a suckering semi-dwarf species from China that makes a wonderful houseplant. These have thin, very attractive trunks, very fine leaflets and many leaflets to each leaf, sometimes up to twenty. They are so superior to the common Lady Palm that I hardly ever sell the latter lately.  Shown is an interior quality 5g plant.  The second photo shows how attractive the leaf is.  (photo by HJD) This size can easily be shipped to anywhere in the U.S. for a great interior houseplant. Anticipated eventual height eight to ten feet.  Purchasers have been very satisfied with these plants.  In the garden they are cold hardy to the low 20's F. and like filtered light.

WODYETIA BIFURCATA We just got in a limited number of very healthy 7g Foxtails.  Grown in the right location, this can be a wonderful garden species.  This is a single trunk, crown- shafted species that has a narrow trunk of typically 6 inches and a fluffy crown of leaves. It has a silver color to the upper stem and loves heat and sun.  It's cold hardiness is into the lower 20's F.  These 7g plants are $100.  Shown is this 7g size and a mature garden specimen.  The containerized plants here are about 8 feet tall.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

CHAMAEDOREA TEPEJILOTE This is a single trunk, tall pinnate palm from Mexico and Central America.  There is a suckering form which we also carry.  The trunks are dark green, somewhat thick and have prominent rings.  Leaflets are wide and leaves are easily five feet long.  This species likes filtered light and does not tolerate full sun.  When we grow these, we often place two or three plants in one pot.  We find this multiple planting to be more attractive and gives the enthusiast a good chance at setting viable seeds if both sexes are obtained.  Shown here is a 15g double and a single along with a specimen in a park setting.  Note this species can get from 15 to 20 feet tall.

LEPIDOZAMIA HOPEI This Australia cycad is similar to the other species of the genus, L. perofskyana but has wider leaflets.  Both are unarmed, dark green in leaf color and are very user friendly.  But, you must give them room to grow as leaves can easily be eight feet long or more.  This species, over many decades, can get quite tall in trunk size and is among the tallest cycads in the world.  Shown to the right are a citrus size plant and a 15g.  Also shown is a mature specimen.  Cold tolerance is into the low 20's F. and most enthusiast grow these two species in partial sun or filtered light, although full sun may work along the coast. The second photo to the right shows the wider leaflets on this species.  We also have large boxed specimens for sale.  This is a beautiful garden plant!

ORANIOPSIS APPENDICULATA When I visited the Mt. Lewis mountain range in Queensland, Australia, I expected that the dominant plant there would be Archontophoenix purpurea.  I was surprised that I was even more impressed with the O. appendiculata.  This single trunk pinnate palm gets fairly large and is quite cold tolerant, perhaps to the low 20's F.  It can be grown in the SF Bay area.  Shown here is a 15g plant and a plant from habitat.  This species is quite rare and difficult to find. The underside of the leaves has a bronze color to it.  I'd recommend starting the plant in filtered light and letting it grow up into the sunlight.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011

ARENGA ENGLERI This is a suckering pinnate Asian palm that is fairly cold hardy and has very fragrant blossoms.  It is not typically a large palm and gets to a height of about 10 feet.  Along the coast it can take full sun; inland areas will find partial sun or filtered light better for this species.  It is fairly tropical appearing and the underside of the leaves are silver colored.  Shown is a 5g plant and a boxed plant.  Also shown are garden specimens.  The last photo was taken in Balboa Park in San Diego, CA.  I'd estimate cold tolerance into the upper teens.  This species is an easy grow in the San Francisco Bay area and some of the Gulf areas.

CARYOTA ZEBRINA ZEBRA FISHTAIL PALM This is a fascinating palm from the mountains of Papua New Guinea.  It sees some cold weather at elevation.  It has striped stems and therefore has its common name. Shown is a 5g plant, $65.  We only have a few. Also shown is a close-up of the stems.  We don't really know the cold tolerance of this species yet because it's so new.  But, some are very optimistic that it goes down to the freezing point.  This is an extremely rare plant.  Sorry, but I have no good photos of a mature plant.

VEITHCIA MERRILLII (ADONIDIA MERRILLII) THE CHRISTMAS PALM This is a favorite among palm enthusiasts. It is not overly large, has nice recurved leaves, is clean appearing and has a nice crown shaft.  The problem is that this species does poorly in Southern California.  There are other species of Veitchia that do better.  It has been renamed as Adonidia.  Most people still know it by its former name. Shown is a 9 foot tall 7g plant, available on request.  Also shown is a pair of beautifully grown plants in a garden. This is a popular interior palm.

PHOENIX HANCEANA This is a shorter form of the Pheonix genus with a somewhat stout trunk but only a height up to about 10 feet.  Of interest is that sometimes it suckers, other times it is single trunk.  The leaflets are pointed like many Phoenix species.  It is synonymous with P. loureiri var loureiri.  Shown is a 5g plant, $65.  Also shown is a larger specimen.  I would consider this a "medium sized" Date palm.  It would work well for someone who wants a smaller Canary type palm.

THIS "BLOG-LIKE" THREAD IS ONGOING.  READING OLDER POST SHOWS LOTS MORE SPECIES AND IS EDUCATIONAL.  SALES DON'T APPLY, BUT PLANT MATERIAL MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE.  BECAUSE READERS REQUEST I DO SO, I WILL BE KEEPING OLDER POSTS FOR REVIEW. 

QUICK JUMP TO OTHER PARTS OF THIS BLOG


Current Time Blog
January-February, 2012
November-December, 2011
September-October, 2011
June-August, 2011

Click "Home" below for more website articles/features and photos.  There are more than 5000 palm and cycad photos at this website! 

Phil Bergman

Owner, Jungle Music Palms and Cycads