Is that a beauty? We dug the hole the first month we arrived and even chose the one we wanted - but the digger at the garden centre was out of action. We ended up dithering about spending so much money on one plant and hesitated all summer...(when there was more chance for the plant to establish itself )....until last week, when FR had a brainstorm and went out and bought it. (Actually, it took several days and numerous phone calls before he could convince himself that he'd found the best deal.)
The hole we'd dug was ambitious to say the least - Ruy and Romy used it as a muddy paddling pool in the early months - but after much shovelling and balancing, we got the palm and almost all the earth back in. Then we trekked (OK, it was mainly FR) back and forth to our piece of land and made this lovely surround for it from the stones we had spent ages 'extracting' yesterday.
I absolutely adore it. I keep looking out of the window, or going out of the door sneakily - and am surprised and amazed every time to see it there. A palm tree, Phoenix Canariensis, to give it it's proper name - in my garden! Whatever next?
(Fingers crossed it survives the winter.....any tips?)
Coming from the U.K. a palm is the stuff of dreams...and now yours have come true!
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty hardy....but it might be an idea to wrap it up if the temperature is icy for a long time.
It's gorgeous...no wonder you keep going to the door to enjoy it.
I think it is the exotic that appeals, Helen, plus it's big enough to change the feel of the 'garden' and help us see what needs doing next. Neither of us are gardeners, though FR knows how to...but he only wants to plant edible stuff. I'd like it to look good too...
DeleteWe will have to wrap it somehow as it gets cold here. Today, though, it's been 28 degrees in Granada...hard to imagine frost!
It is lovely, isn't it.....sigh!
Axxx
How fantastic, Annie! I'd better not show this to my tree-loving DH or he'll want one too. :-) Just think how lovely it will be to sit in its shade when it's full-grown.
ReplyDeleteHelen's right to suggest wrapping it in very cold weather while it's young,. but I guess it will grow to be perfectly hardy.
I am ridiculously pleased with it and it I have to wrap it, I will. Wonder if it's just the trunk part that needs the fleece?
DeleteIt will be even better next summer as it casts a bit of shade in the garden...even at this size, I will be sitting under it.
Axxx
What a wopper! You'll be sashaying around in a grass skirt next.
ReplyDeleteThe neighbours are already talking, B2B....Axxx
DeleteAs I said on FB.....wrap carefully if frost is forecast. I was heartbroken when our huge 27 year old palm died in 2012. It was planted when the house was built, and was a real feature of the garden. Some people who also "lost" palms in Feb 2012, were lucky enough that they re grew later in the year. We left ours for a whole year, hoping it would burst back into life....it didn't and the huge base started to rot and smell. So...it was dug up, and a very pretty little herb garden is now planted where it used to be. We have planted another small palm nearby.....and will keep our fingers crossed for this one.
ReplyDeleteYours in beautiful....and I am sure you are going to get a great deal of pleasure from it. Jxxx
I shall keep a weather eye open, Janice, I remember what happened to yours. It's a risk even though there are lots around here...I shall look for some horticultural fleecing and check the forecast. If the first few days are anything to go by, this palm has been worth the money already!
DeleteAxxx
Oh it's a beauty! How I wish I lived in a climate to plant palm trees. X
ReplyDeleteWe have big temperature changes - from very hot to very cold - so we're hoping this is hardy enough for the winter here...we'll be trying to look after it - it feel so exotic, I have to say! Axxx
DeleteIt's a lovely palm but I echo the comments above about frost protection. In February 2012 we thought we'd lost ours. However it did come back, but until late this year it was looking very sorry for itself. Ours is too big to wrap so we are hoping temperatures won't stay below freezing for a prolonged period.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the palm is symbolic of putting down deep roots? X
I know Janice was so sad when she lost hers...I shall try very hard to protect this one. It does get cold but it's never been that long, prolonged cold that I remember from France. I shall be looking for some wrapping - any idea what it might be called??
DeleteAnd yes, I think deep roots could well be the symbol that suits! Axxx
It's really beautiful Annie. I'd have to keep looking at it too! The stones surrounding it really set it off to perfection.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ayak. FR would have done it all if I hadn't been watching but I really wanted to make the stone surround with him. I'm just so pleased with it - and it's nice not to have a big hole and a load of rubble now - just a very handsome palm. Axxx
DeleteOh, Annie, I love it, along with the care and time you took in buying the palm and planting it. May you and your family have many, many fruitful years watching it grow.
ReplyDeleteThank you Penny! As I write, the temperature is plummeting and I've not yet got anything to wrap my precious in....It has had ten winters to harden up in a village said to be colder than ours,but I am a tad worried. I do hope it copes until I can get some fleece....Fingers crossed! Axxx
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