California Dreaming

(page 5)

Louis has a splendid outdoor palm collection which includes Roystonea regia, Ravenea madascariensis var. monticola, R. rivularis, Pseudophoenix sargentii, Licuala ramsayi and several other beautiful species, including a splendid collection of Chamaedoreas.

Growing exotic palms in a temperate climate requires some basic knowledge. At past biennials I've met many members from areas throughout the world that should be capable of producing gardens similar to those of Southern California. People from the southeastern United States, South Africa, South Australia, New Zealand, Southern Europe, and Israel for instance that could have palm collections equal to or better than those in California, but when they tell what they are growing, their collections are lacking. Often they state that their climate is too cold to grow what can be grown in California, but the true cut off point should be cold temperature and not a psychological one.

Most California gardens have little or no frost or freezing temperatures, and some have none at all so if your area fits this description, there is no reason why you can't grow the same palms. Plan to visit the four private gardens on the Biennial tour. And go home prepared to develop a fabulous temperate climate palm collection of your own.

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