The MGS Forum

Plants for mediterranean gardens => Trees and Shrubs => Topic started by: Sally on August 02, 2018, 03:17:53 PM

Title: Growing climbers up a palm tree
Post by: Sally on August 02, 2018, 03:17:53 PM

Is it possible to grow a climbing plant up a palm tree?  I have a tall date palm tree in my garden and I am considering using it to support a kiwi plant but am not sure if this is a good idea or not?  Any suggestions please?

Title: Re: Growing climbers up a palm tree
Post by: Caroline on August 02, 2018, 11:26:22 PM

Definitely not a good idea to grow a kiwifruit up a palm tree. It gets out of control very quickly, and is a nightmare to prune at height.  I'm passing on the hard-won experience of my sister-in-law.  In fact I would hesitate to grow anything up a palm tree - causes more problems than it solves...  :)

Title: Re: Growing climbers up a palm tree
Post by: pamela on October 07, 2018, 11:48:55 AM

Dear Sally
I grow a beautiful Stephanotis floribunda into a Phoenix sylvestris.  It now looks wonderful but has taken about 10 years (I live in Spain, Costa Blanca) to look fabulous.  I do agree it is hard to prune the leaves as the dead fronds and seed heads need to be cut away carefully. But it can be done!  This year it has bloomed twice which was a bonus!   I think if you choose the climber with care it can be successful. Best wishes
Pamela

Title: Re: Growing climbers up a palm tree
Post by: psroseguy on September 30, 2019, 07:29:26 AM

Here in California's low desert it's not unusual to find old and established specimens of Dolichandra unguis-cati growing unaided up the trunks of quite tall Washingtonia palms.