Well, it's been a great summer after a cold spring. Once we got into mid June temperatures soared and stayed 3-5 degrees above normal. Most days in July wear near or above 90 during the day and around 70 or warmer at night. Good summer for healthy tropicals. The trachys didn't even seem to mind the warmer weather with ample water and fertilizer provided.

2008 planted trachy. 10 fronds so far with 11, 12 and 13 spears pushing. Over a foot of new trunk. Now stands almost 6 1/2 feet to top of fronds.

Ensete maurelii front and center with other plants in view.

Thai black, other maurelii, ensete ventricosum grew kind of slow this summer. I'm impressed with the color of the pennesetum 'fireworks' grass.

Ensete maurelii on other corner of the yard. I really love the tikis Joe from Salt Spring Island sent me.

Ensete maurelii, musa orinoco, croton and rhododendron.

Closeup of croton. Will have to dig it for the winter. It grew fast in the ground this summer.

Caladiums under the maple tree.

Yucca filamentosa 'color guard' and magnolia 'edith bogue'.

Magnolia put out lots of growth this summer.

Siam ruby's second summer. Overwintered it in a west window last year. No decline.

Trachycarpus wagnerianus.

Christmas palm I had since 2009 when it was just a strap leaf seedling.

This year has been interesting. Have been getting a lot of people asking me questions about my plants; even some knocking on my door to talk to me. One guy put in a pool and wants to make it tropical and likes bananas and trachys. I think the palm bug is spreading quickly up here.