High Quality and Unusual Specimen Plants: January 2014

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Banana Plants

IOrnamental Banana plants are grown for their natural beauty rather than for their fruit. The banana plant is so obviously tropical that it changes the atmosphere of an entire area, suggesting warm and humid and bountiful places by its mere presence.

Recommended banana trees that are cold-hardy for temperate and Mediterranean climates such as the San Francisco Bay Area include :

(1) Ensete Ventricosum (Abbysinnian Banana Tree) -- large oval green yellow leaves with reddish hue veins, ribbing, and stalk. A highly decorative ornamental specimen plant that ca be a focal point for garden planting or a attractive patio or entranceway 'marker'.

Red Abbysinian banana tree

(2) Musa 'Blue Java' Banana Plant, commonly referred to as 'ice cream,' or Hawaiian banana tree --

The Abyssinian Banana Plant (Ensete Ventricosum) is a highly decorative

And attractive plant with its large oval green leaves.

Abbysinnian Banana Tree leaves arch over

smaller perennial and annual flowering plants.

3 foot tall Musa 'Java Blue' has long, arching leaves.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Drought Tolerant Palm Trees

Palm Trees can add a substantial bulk tropical plant to a garden, give visual interest, and over time increase the vertical dimension and architecture to garden space.

Many gardens are too small to have mature palm trees. Selection of appropriate sized species are important to plant choice. Fortunately, several species are available that grow to smaller dimensions while also being well matched with the moderate climates of temperate areas. In addition, drought tolerant Palm Trees can add to a tropical landscape without consuming a lot of water:

(1) -- (Trachycarpus Fortunei) -- Windmill Palms, from Asia

(2) -- (Chaemerops Humilis) -- Mediterranean Fan Palms (green fronds) and Atlas Mountain Fan Palm (silver blue fronds ) from the Mediterranean region.

(3) -- Pindo Palms

(4) -- Mexican Blue Palms

(5) -- New Zealand 'Nikau' Palms -- known as 'Shaving Brush' Palm Trees

Atlas Mountain Fan Palms

The Silver blue Palm Fronds of the Atlas Mountain Fan Palm

Medium Size Mediterranean Fan Palm

Medium Size Windmill Palm

Small Mediterranean Fan Palm

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Please see a new website with more fotos

and information on Palm Trees in the Bay Area

and Northern California: http://palmtrees-for-northerncalifornia.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Sunday Specialized Plant Tours in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park

Fog City Plants is pleased to announce our winter season 2014 Sunday Specialized Plant Tours in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. These tours begin on Sundays at 1:00 pm in Golden Gate Park, and last about 45 minutes. Please be prepared to walk and take pictures of beautiful plants !

The topics of the specialized plant tours for the Winter 2014 season is:

(1) Blooming Camellia Trees and Bushes in Golden Gate Park

(2) South African and Australian Protea Plants in the San Francisco Botanical Garden

(3) Palm Trees and Tree Ferns in Golden Gate Park

Please return back to this website for more information. For inquiries and questions, please contact FogCityPlants@gmail.com.

Thanks for you interest !

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Japanese Cherry Blossom and Cherry Fruit Trees

These are the world famous 'Cherry Blossom Trees' associated with the celebration of springtime. Their brilliant and profuse displays of white and pink blossoms provide both memorable sights and indelible experiences. Immediately eye catching during the blossom season, and attractive decidous trees throughout the year, this tree can either be a single focus of attention, or one in an appealing row of trees.