A Few Pics From my PA Backyard

[tikifarmer]

Here are a few pics from my pool area , still not complete but , we're getting there ...

This is before decks and landscaping 1/07

This is now 9/08

 

[Tonedeaf]

Very nice.

Love the tropical feel you have. :-D

 

[The Mermaid Queen]

Very nice! The before photo must've been in winter or something, because it looks like you planted a hundred trees for the after photos!!!

 

[jj]

Wow...has PAS (as my hub calls him), P. Allen Smith, been to your house?
Loverly.....

 

[colormesummer]

nice! very quick landscaping I have to say..it looks mature already. gj

 

[Casey]

Nice!

I really like the cabana! 8)

 

[XtremelyTropical]

WOW! Love the cabana and the tropical look!

 

[scotttomlin]

wow, PA. I am pretty sure i saw this pool in Key West. :-D I love it Im in MD. I may be coping you this year.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Are those real? How do they survive in your climate?

 

[Poolidiot]

Well, living in West Texas (or as my New York transplanted wife would say, God forsaken west Teaxas)all I can say is.......OHHHHHHHH to have trees :? . Very nice

 

[dlduvall]

Beautiful!!! What kind of plants are those with the large leaves? Still looking for more Stuff to add to our pool area. Since I am in WV, our climate should be similar. Always looking for new ideas... :-D

 

[tikifarmer]

Thanks for all the compliments . The plants with the large leaves are musa basjoo (hardy fiber banana) . It is very hardy but , I also mulch it heavily in the fall and this year placed some bags of leaves around the base of the plant to help insulate the corm (root mass).It is some extra work but, I really like the look so the extra work doesn't bother to me.

 

[dlduvall]

Thanks for letting me know. I was wondering if they were elephant ears. Our pool landscaping is still very much a work in progress! I love the look of your pool area and may have to steal some inspiration. :-D

 

[tikifarmer]

Some of the other large leaf plants are elephant ears and some are cannas . I don't want to mislead you into thinking they were all musa basjoo , I just assumed because they are the tallest with the biggest leaves . Do you know what usda zone you are in ? I may be able to give you some more ideas for tropical style plants that can take some cold weather and come back the next year . Good luck with your landscaping ...

 

[dlduvall]

Thanks tiki! The tallest ones actually were the ones that cought my eye, but I had no idea what they were. I am a zone 6 here . Did you get your plants online? Was there any concern about the root system of such a large plant being close to the pool? My hubby also loved your photos and we could use all the help we can get! I have bought a few elephant ear bulbs, and already have several daylilies. I was also thinking about hardy hibiscus. Any thoughts? Your time is much appreciated. Thanks again! :-D

 

[nupoolsoon]

Great landscaping! Can't believe how tropical you have made PA seem and feel. I am in lower NY state. I have no landscaping ideas, or imagination for that matter, so any help is appreciated. Even if we do a little at a time, but I love those big plants for privacy, which is first on the landscaping agenda. Can you recommend any more tropical-like plants for our area? Like prior post ?, did you buy them locally to you or online?

 

[dd50]

Very nice. Love the landscaping and didn't know that those tropical plants could survive in PA. You did a great job.

 

[tikifarmer]

I recommend reading "Palms Don't Grow Here And Other Myth's" and "Hot Plants For Cool Climates" if you want to get the tropical look in decidedly non tropical locales . Many of the plants can be bought online or on ebay . Also some plants can be gotten at local nurseries in the indoor plant section .
There are several forums like this one devoted to tropical plant growing in non tropical regions . A lot of good information from experienced gardeners on those forums .

http://www.bananas.org/index.php
http://members3.boardhost.com/HardyPalm/
http://members3.boardhost.com/joe02917/
http://members3.boardhost.com/MIDWESTPALMS/
http://members5.boardhost.com/tripleoaks/
http://members7.boardhost.com/PennHardyPalms/

Hope this helps ...

 

[Crazycalvin]

Awesome job! Thanks for the links. Later, Calvin.

 

[Suziqzer]

Amazing! We put in above ground pool last fall and I so would like to ad that tropical feel... thanks for the inspiration. Will be looking to find some nice size pots for some of those large plants to put on my deck. I had already bought some elephant ears, but will be looking for the banana and cannas.

Love the cabana too! Nice touch... it pulls the look of the plants together so well, gonna have to brainstorm that one. How did you do the roof? Looks like a relatively easy project otherwise... gonna have to show it to my hubby