I’ve engaged in a spurt of gardening activity this week, in
advance of forecasted rain. Three
beds that had lost plants for one reason or another (including the ever-popular “dog excavations”) were
repopulated with relocated residents.
The most ambitious undertaking involved importing a new
plant into my garden; if I had researched beforehand, I might have thought
twice.
During the Wildflower Center excursion memorialized in my
last post and as we enjoyed an al fresco lunch in the courtyard, over my
companions’ shoulders I noticed some dwarf palmettos (Sabal minor) nodding in the breeze. They were growing in a circle
bed beneath a live oak tree.
Like a bolt of lightning, inspiration struck. Shazzam! I
could use palmettos under a group of trees outside my living room window, an
area also surrounded by rock and mostly shaded! This would be perfect! My garden gurus, who both grow
this plant, agreed that it might work for me.
Before: Proposed bed in the weeding stage. |
It shall be known henceforth as: “the red bed.”
After researching for this post, however, I’m less sanguine
about the palmettos’ chances of survival. The dwarf palmetto is indeed native
to Texas (and east through North Carolina), even up on the Edwards Plateau,
where we are. It is the only palm native to the Texas Hill Country. Birds and
mammals enjoy its hard, black fruit. Sounds good, right?
But, and it’s a big but, “It is not a xeric plant and grows
only in moist places with rich alluvial soil,” according to Trees, Shrubs,
and Vines of the Texas Hill Country by Jan Wrede. Oops. The only moist, rich,
alluvial soil on my property is down on the north side where the water rushes
through in floods. That’s not where I planted it.
The Wildflower Center offers a little more hope for my
chances of growing this palm successfully. According to the listing for the palmetto,
if you provide lots of water until it’s established, it will then be
drought-tolerant. Serendipitously, and unbeknownst to me, the betony has
similar water requirements.
Well, my gurus said it was worth a try, and the Wildflower
Center gave me a plan of action, so I shall forge ahead. Wish me luck.
Favorite spot in the
garden:
Sometimes we worry too much about whether a plant is in the right spot! Yes, Sabal minor grows in damp places, but I have two planted on either side of my entry walk and they exist on a gravel hill in full sun. I guess I gave them a little extra water nearly twenty years ago when I planted them, but for at least the past fifteen years they have had only what Mother Nature has provided. In several of those years, including 2011, that meant practically no water. Take heart and keep the faith! It sounds like you have lovingly and sensibly planted them. I think you will be rewarded for your efforts.
ReplyDeleteOne should never doubt her guru. In my mind's eye, it will be beautiful!
DeleteI've thought about planting Sabal minor, too. I'll be interested to see how yours does.
ReplyDeleteThis rain is great. I could do without the cold, though.
Have a good weekend.
I'll keep you posted! And I haven't forgotten your flame acanthus - after spring break I will pot some up. Yes, the cold is certainly a blast of winter we've not seem much of this year.
DeleteCynthia, I enjoyed reading this post on your blog. It seems to me all gardeners have been there and done that! Good Luck! And in the words of Tim Gunn, “Make it work!”
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy, and thanks for stopping by. You're right, it's just part of the gardening process - trial and error! (Though I seem to lean a little toward the "error" part . . . )
DeleteUse the force, Cynthia! (That's space traveler talk for "you can make this work.")
DeleteI will try! Oh, what do I hear? A croaky voice says, "Do or do not. There is no try."
DeleteYes, water them well the first year, then see how they do with more normal amounts of water. I have three on my bermed front bed, in full shade, and while I do irrigate I aim to be water thrifty. They came through last summer's drought just fine.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know someone nearby has been successful with palmettos!
DeleteI like your plan...it will be beautiful! I am looking forward to seeing the final product.
ReplyDeleteI think you've got a shot if you nurse the palmetto a year, particularly this summer.
ReplyDelete