[Michael 61]

I’m still in decision process of what to do / plant / which landscaper to hire / etc.

My first bid wants to put in three robelini palms (remember I have a corner lot with a wrap around lanai -so more area to landscape). I already have a berm just a few feet from the side of my property that is landscaped and managed by the developer, along with three fairly mature palm trees they planted along with seasonal ground-covered flowers. I feel like all this landscape is part of my property, and I get to enjoy the view from my lanai.

I drove around many different villages south of 44 yesterday. The robelini palm issue concerns me. I love the look, and many that I saw were in excellent condition, however an equal number were sickly looking from our freezes this past winter - I guess it’s just luck of the draw whether they survive a freeze or not (or maybe the owners covered them up to be pro-active - don’t know if that is really any help or not).

Maybe I just go with one robelini, and if that one withers this winter, it’s only one plant I need to replace vs three. If no robelini, then what? I would need an alternative palm or tree or large bush/shrub, for the circular areas that will be created by the brick work (one in front of house, one at side of lanai, and one on the rear corner of house, that is visible from side exposure to street).

I’m just really confused right now, as everyone is giving me different and often conflicting advice (which I appreciate by the way), but there is no real consensus, and I doubt there will be.

I know this isn’t “Sophie’s Choice”, and maybe I just need to pull the trigger on what I like, and can modify later if I feel I planted something that didn’t work out. If I go with palms, I do realize there is some added maintenance for them, and I’m OK with that.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! 😀

Retirement is good!