Need lots of central american plants advice!

12 years ago

I'm married to a Nica, and we will be planting on some property located at Las Penitas, Leon Department (i.e Pacific coast on the beach (but not beachfront property)). I need advice on what the agricultural zone is for this region, as I can't find out any information like an equivalent USDA ZONE or heat zone, so that I can start to identify plant material that can be used.

I consulted with the in-laws and observed plantings in the neighborhood houses and at the La Convencion Hotel (beautiful formal garden)in Leon. Varities of plam, "nornet's" (Nica name), bouganville, st. augustine grass, could be seen. Mangos, tamarind, avocado, banannas, plantains are tree choices. I'm from New England, so none of these plants are familiar to me!

I would like some other suggestions for plants and grass choices and a link to any on-line references for further consulting.

Plants that can be sited near a pool (without disrupting the pool and neighboring foundations and walls) are needed, as well as any fruiting trees.

I went to one nursery (actually a plants-mans home)to see what was available in Leon. Some interesting plants, and I was impressed when the nursery guy asked me what types of leave size and color I wanted. As I didn't speak the langauage and there were no plant tags, I could only remember the plants if I saw them again. A little frustrationg, but I would like to start filling out my landscape design plan and send it to the relative to get the planting started during this rainey season.

TIA!

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Comments (3)

dellis326 (Danny)
12 years ago
As an aroid fan I would really envy you except that I can't handle the kind of heat you'll get down there.

I've read it is usually in the 80s and 90s all year in the western part of the country. and you'll have sun regularly for about twelve hours a day all year, it doesn't change much that close to the equator.

I believe many of the commonly sold house plants in the US would be almost a "plant it and forget it" situation. I been to Costa Rica, never to Nicaragua but I commonly saw almost everywhere around the coasts, large, very large, Philodendrens, Deffenbachia, Spathiphyllum, bromeliads, cycads and orchids, lots and lots of orchids everywhere. You can have home grown bananas and pineapples too.

Grasses I can't help you with, I hate grasses except bamboo which I also saw all over the place down there. I'd prefer to tear the grass up and grow real plants.
isabella__MA
Original Author
12 years ago
Dellis thanks for the species suggestions... I looked them up and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I have some experience with these. I have a peace lilly in my office, and some of the other big-leaved plants are common in South Texas where I grew up.

Nica has lots of great plants, but I've been warned about getting some from the nurseries near the volcanoe, as I'm at sea-level. Basically if it'll grow in Managua or Leon I can plant it.

Roses are very popular here and bloom quite a bit... I have planted roses in NE, and while they are attractive it's not the feel that I want.

there was one really attractive shrub that had yellow leaves with some green stipped variegation.. I wishi I had taken pictures of them.
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dellis326 (Danny)
12 years ago
Yeah I bet roses would flower all year down there. Plants grown up in the highlands might not handle the heat down by the coast.

What you could do is just drive around the area and see what's growing and take a lot of pictures. Take the pictures to your plants guys and see whats available. Then you don't have to be concerned with local names.

Keep in mind how big some of them will grow in that climate. I saw split leaf Philo's with leave 5 or 6 feet long.