Help me choose my next plant...

cocoabeachlorax

11 years ago

Just ripped out Lady Palms to move to a more suitable location.

Full sun, next to the pool.

Coastal Brevard.

Cannot spread out (no Crinum Lily) or clump or run.

Cannot be cold sensitive or particularly pest sensitive (Hibiscus, mealy bug for ex.).

Cannot have invasive deep roots (due to proximity to pool)

No dropping fruit or heavy shedding (already have enough of that with the ligustrum)

Enough of the "NO..." Here are the "wants":

Smaller space. A crinum would be ideal if it didn't send out babies all around and get so wide. I'm looking for mostly green foliage. I'd like to encircle it with some agapanthus and daylilies and for whatever it is to grow upwards as a centerpiece.

Ideally it would grow to at least 8 or 10 feet.

It's literally right next to the pool so root systems must be considered and it has to be tolerant of occasional splash over of the pool water as we've got kids with friends. :)

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Comments (6)

morningloree
11 years ago
Could you put in an Angel's Trumpet or Giant Bird of Paradise? Schefflera? My Tibouchinas, Dwarf Bottle Brush, Dwarf Powder Puff Bushes, and Pineapple Guava are pretty tidy.
garyfla_gw
11 years ago
Hi
how about the standard bird of paradise (S. reginae)?
Will take some time to get over 5 feet but you can get them at already that size. Clumps in a very tight circle,evergreen,pest free and produces those fantastic flowers which don't scatter. i 'd avoid the giant white variety as it spreads horizontally.
Not sure about the pool water?? gary
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cocoabeachlorax
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for the ideas; already have bottlebrush in two nearby areas... looking for new and different.

Not sure about B.O.P. ... will have to explore the smaller variety. The one we had in the back yard was HUGE and definitely the blooms were a shedding nightmare (plus, the beach rats loved them, blecgth)
morningloree
11 years ago
I absolutely love my Magnolia Lilliflora Jane. It behaves more like a large shrub, gets large purple Tulip Flowers and is vase shaped. Blue Vitex is pretty as well and is not overwhelming. Ornamental bananas, such as Abssynian Red, Ruby Siam and Yellow Siam don't sucker as much only bananas are not as tidy as others. My Popcorn Cassia is a fun plant that when the leaves are rubbed, it smells exactly like buttered popcorn. It is not messy, but is candelabra shaped and needs staking when growing. Red Cestrum attracts butterflies, I have a Yellow Cestrum, but it gets huge and will swallow up plants around it. The Red Cestrum is better behaved.
cocoabeachlorax
Original Author
11 years ago
morningloree: so much to look up ! Thank you for the suggestions. I've never heard of any of those, this will be fun !

It occurred to me today that I used to have a standard duranta in the courtyard before the pool and it was very happy, and I was very happy with it... Anyone with any thoughts on those ? The white butterflies / moths love them as do the bees.
morningloree
11 years ago
I have two standard Durantas, they are planted with African Irises, which works out nicely. I thought about that as well, but was worried the yellow seeds might fall into your pool. They look great with something planted at the base about 1-1 1/2 feet tall. The butterflies do love them! This winter, they overwintered without a problem.