Great transformation.
Also, your Trachycarpus has grown a lot in the past year. I'm envious.
And again, that Hibiscus is stunning.
--Erik

Thanks Erik! And I think the fairly mild winter we had, had a lot to do with it...it sure gave it a good head start to rooting well! I'm excited to see the 2 Hibiscus next year. I'll soon take pics of the other one once it's in bloom - that one will be white with a red center.

Heidi

You've done a lot, and those trachys are much bigger then last year too. Very Nice!

Bill

Heidi, you've done a fabulous job of your back yard.
What a transformation, especially now that the Trachies are filling out nicely.
You see -- there was no need to worry about them earlier (bugs are gone).

Great spot for that banana too.
Too bad the nana in the front yard didn't come back.

Love that hibiscus colour!

Well done, Heidi!

Barb

Thanks Bill and Barb!

Barb - I wish the banana in the front had come back too. The pup on it did, that's the one planted behind my new banana. It's still only a foot high. I'm glad the palm has no more bugs too, I was so worried!

Thanks so much for your compliments! it was a long 3 years to get it that way. Now I can just sit back and have a Corona under my Tikki umbrella and watch it all fill in! 8)

Heidi

Glad the nana pup made it!

Corona! Attagirl. Enjoy 😀

Looks great. In a few years those trachys will be monsters! 🙂 How fast do musa basjoo grow in your climate...how often do you get a new leaf?

Yes, the sitting back and enjoying is key. Our gardens can be a lot of work and the pay-off is taking time to just sit and enjoy them. --Erik

wxman - thanks! I am really enjoying watching the growth on the Trachys....AND the bananas! My Musas have been planted now 3 weeks ago and both are pushing out their 4th leaf. We've had average to a little above normal temps here with no rain for the last month straight. I was out watering like crazy, sometimes twice a day. The pups are really coming up on them, that's the one thing I notice about them. Last year we had the same thing...no rain, but VERY VERY HOT. The Musa I had last year as I remember, was pushing out about 2 leaves a week for sure. It doubled in height from May to the end of August, with 3 two ft. pups (one of which I separated and it didn't come back this year but had a pup of it's own!)

So in our zone 8b I can say they grow very fast, being mild and in a rainforest-type climate. I planted the one last year in lots of sea soil and mushroom manure which probably helped! Here's a pic of it before and after...(my little red head needed to be in the photo op..lol)

http://picasaweb.google.com/hilashes/Banana?feat=directlink

Thanks again wxman!
Heidi

Hill those trachys took off!!!! They must be enjoying your warm spring and cool summer. Everything looks good!!!

Thanks Canadianplant! i hope we get another mild winter to really send things off next year!

Heidi

great job with your back yard....it looks like a professional job! Your Trachies look great!

WOW thanks TimMAz6 that's a wonderful compliment! 😀

Heidi