http://www.hardytropicals.org/index.php/plantabase/entry/ The cold hardy tropical plant database - 'Plantabase.' en jcderrick@tradewindcreations.com Copyright 2011 2011-04-08T12:56:39+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/foxtail_palm http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/foxtail_palm#When:12:56:39Z The Foxtail Palm is becoming an extremely popular palm in southern climates. In fact, the Foxtail palm tree is the most used landscape palm tree in the world. It is suitable for moist sub-tropical and tropical climates. It is also known by the botanic name Wodyetia bifurcata. Foxtail Palms are native to the Northern Australia. It can be grown as a potted palm so long as it's cared for properly, but it likely will quickly outgrow its pot since it's rate of growth of medium to fast. Its moderately drought tolerant, handles a variety of soil conditions very well, is typically is free of pests, and handles neglect fairly well - ultimately it's an easy palm to grow... if you have the right climate. 2011-04-08T12:56:39+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/giant_vivax_bamboo http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/giant_vivax_bamboo#When:16:50:38Z Vivax Bamboo will get very large very quickly. So if you're looking for big bamboo fast, this is the bamboo for you. Vivax is a very cold hardy giant bamboo similar in appearance to Japanese Timber Bamboo. Vivax has very large leaves with deep green colors. The culm (cane) sheaths are creamy buff color with brown spotting. Canes are typically 5-6 inches in width when mature. Phyllostachys Vivax 'Aureocaulis' which is similar to Vivax has canes that are bright yellow with random green stripes (second photo). This is a rare species and is truly a sight to behold. 2010-05-12T16:50:38+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/hedge_bamboo http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/hedge_bamboo#When:16:43:50Z Alphonse Karr is a green striped yellow bamboo that forms dense large clumps. New shoots are often tinted pink or red when exposed to high sunlight. This bamboo makes a great potted container plant, especially in colder climates. It, like other forms of Bambusa multiplex, are among the best bamboos for a well lit area indoors. Bambusa generally grow a very tight cluster of canes, and 'Alphonse Karr' is no exception, making it an excellent choice for a privacy screen where a clumping bamboo is desired. Typical diameter is 1.5 inches in width. 2010-05-12T16:43:50+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/phyllostachys_bambusoides_giant_japanese_timber http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/phyllostachys_bambusoides_giant_japanese_timber#When:16:21:29Z Japanese Timber Bamboo, aka Madake, has very thick walls making it one of the best bamboo species for timber. This is a true giant, reaching up to 60+ feet in height and 5"+ in diameter. Can be slow to mature. 2010-05-12T16:21:29+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/spectabilis_bamboo http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/spectabilis_bamboo#When:12:14:58Z This aptly named form of "Yellow Groove Bamboo" is both rare and beautiful. Its colors are reversed from the species, i.e., it has bright yellow culms with a green sulcus. It is the hardiest bamboo with yellow and green striped color pattern. Like the other forms of the species, this bamboo makes an excellent hedge or screen due to its fast, upright growth. When grown in a sunny location, the new culms have a spectacular red highlight in the spring and early summer. Typical diameter is about 2" wide. 2010-05-12T12:14:58+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/phyllostachys_aurea_koi http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/phyllostachys_aurea_koi#When:12:05:48Z One of the most interesting color variations, the culms are green at first becoming yellow with a green sulcus after a few months. Meaning that it has a patterned striping that alternated sides up and down the cane. The yellow parts of the culm are sometimes tinted with a rose highlight in bright sun. It also has an occasional leaf variegation. Typical diameter is about 1.25 inches. 2010-05-12T12:05:48+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/phyllostachys_nuda http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/phyllostachys_nuda#When:11:58:09Z Nuda is one of the hardiest bamboos. New culms emerge purplish green, eventually lightening to match the leaf color. It has dark green culms with a bright white ring at the node. The leaves are also darker than most other bamboos. This is a running bamboo, so take precautions for restraint; read our blog entry on controlling bamboo. Though it is reluctant to spread into very dry soils, it is resistant to some drought. Typical diameter is about 1-2" wide. 2010-05-12T11:58:09+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/giant_gray_bamboo http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/giant_gray_bamboo#When:20:29:17Z This is one of the most ideal bamboo available. It is drought tolerant and adapts to almost all planting sites. Some call it "bullet-proof" bamboo because of how tough it is. The canes emerge green and turn a beautiful gray. The distinctive looking culms are gray-blue or whitish green, rough to the touch with beautiful dense foliage of green leaves. Climate Zone 7 and above expect mature size canes to be over 60 feet in height. Climate Zone 6 expect mature size canes to be over 40 feet in height. Many call this the 'Mother Form' of Nigra. Its moderately thick culm walls allow it to withstand our winter storms with very little breakage. Typical diameter is about 2-4 inches wide. 2010-05-10T20:29:17+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/alocasia_odora http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/alocasia_odora#When:18:45:16Z Alocasia Odora is an ornamental plant with big leaves and provides an instant "tropical look" to the yard. Striking foliage with large, deep green upright leaves provides for a dramatic effect in a container or the garden. Odora can withstand very low temperatures, down to about 0°F (zone 7a). In colder climates you can “chop the top” and bring it indoors for the following spring. Alocasia Odora has big upright leaves that can be more than 3 ft (1 m) long. This is a gorgeous and easy to grow elephant ear! 2010-05-06T18:45:16+00:00 http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/pink_fruiting_banana_hairy_banana http://www.hardytropicals.org/plantabase/entry/pink_fruiting_banana_hairy_banana#When:17:41:37Z Musa Veluntina is an ornamental banana with bright pink colored fruits. The plant is very attractive as a garden ornamental and its popularity is enhanced by its relative hardiness for a banana. Musa Veluntina usually grow to 4-6ft high and 3-5ft wide. The leaves are quite large and can grow to 12-24". While not dwarf in form, this species generally remains quite small and can flower and fruit in just over a year from seed. The pink fruits are covered with thin hairs, hence its alternative common name, the Hairy Banana. 2010-05-06T17:41:37+00:00