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Australia isn't small; it's the size of the continental US.
the climate of the continental U.S. is characterized by the continent of North America, which is much larger than Australia.
Australia has continental influence as well but it is not nearly as bad. but it comes in the form of dry heat waves in the summer instead of... cold arctic blasts (from Canada) in the winter and heat waves in the summer (from Mexico/Gulf of Mexico) seen in the U.S.
this is because Australia is relatively small and relatively close to the equator. so there isn't as much contrast between the different regions of the continent in the winter time like there is in North America. there is more to it than that but that is the simple explanation.
But Boston is a subtropical paradise! Look at those winters, heavenly and mild.. and gosh those tropical summers are just paradise! IMO the subtropical line goes right up to northern Maine!!!!!!!!!!!
... but are there ocelots, macaques, toucans, beautiful warm thunderstorms, cotton and bananas?
true, there is always some place somewhere on the planet with a better version of an Australian city's climate, but not by much...
also one correction, Brisbane is definitely better than Palm Bay, FL.
That wasn't the point, I was trying to compare Australia to other continents. Although if you want to rate if they beat their comparable climate, Sydney wins too, Myrtle Beach is horrid.
But that's not a "signature" subtropical plant. Despite being the official tree of two states...
Sabal Palmettos are nothing to look at imo. And most subtropical gardeners love to plant the more subtropical looking Phoenix and Livistona palms. They are far more tender than Sabal.
Sabal Palmettos are nothing to look at imo. And most subtropical gardeners love to plant the more subtropical looking Phoenix and Livistona palms. They are far more tender than Sabal.
When I think Phoenix, I think Mediterranean climates- not subtropical, although they can grow in subtropical climates. One of the most common Phoenix's, the CIDP, grows a lot better in less humid, more arid areas. CIDP's are usually short, fat and stubby in subtropical areas and are taller more lean and robust in drier, less humid areas. Personally, I don't like the look of CIDP's in the American South because the climate really diminishes the way a phoenix is meant to grow and look. But that's not to say they can't grow and be pretty happy in 9a Charleston, Gainesville, Houston and lower type of areas. Most species of Livistonas love the subtropical south because of their mostly Australian roots- save the hard, hard freezes.
The interesting thing that even the coldest Australian towns can grow palm trees and subtropical flora. Even the coldest towns like Orange and Katoomba can easily support many species of subtropical flora.
When I think Phoenix, I think Mediterranean climates- not subtropical, although they can grow in subtropical climates. One of the most common Phoenix's, the CIDP, grows a lot better in less humid, more arid areas. CIDP's are usually short, fat and stubby in subtropical areas and are taller more lean and robust in drier, less humid areas. Personally, I don't like the look of CIDP's in the American South because the climate really diminishes the way a phoenix is meant to grow and look. But that's not to say they can't grow and be pretty happy in 9a Charleston, Gainesville, Houston and lower type of areas. Most species of Livistonas love the subtropical south because of their mostly Australian roots- save the hard, hard freezes.
The Med look is subtropical. NSW looks Med because it does a much better job of growing subtropical veg than the South. How subtropical does the inland south really look? A city in china with the winter averages of Jackson MS looks almost tropical compared to Jackson. Extreme winter deviations is the reason Jackson looks the way it does.
i agree when they are young and aren't given TLC they can look somewhat unpleasant but when they grow tall and get their smooth trunk i think they can complement the landscape quite nicely. remember there are 13 varieties of Sabal and they all have their own unique nuances.
yes i would agree they are not the best looking palms by a mile (queens, pygmys etc. look far better), but i wouldn't say they are worse looking or any less subtropical than the Phoenix or Washingtonia.
though Washingtonia Filifera happens to really tickle my fancy. the tall ones in So Cal are awesome.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tom77falcons
And most subtropical gardeners love to plant the more subtropical looking Phoenix and Livistona palms. They are far more tender than Sabal.
i wouldn't say they are far more tender. Phoenix and Washingtonia minimum is around 15°F while the Sabal's minimum is around 7°F (Sabal Mexicana might be 10°F). yes the Sabal Minor and Needle are much hardier but really who cares about those. they are ugly stubby little things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by G8RCAT
The landscape of NSW looks mediterranean to me.
agreed, Australia on average is drier so it makes sense. not that the mediterranean look is bad or anything. i like it. even Brisbane doesn't get as much rain as the U.S. Gulf Coast. and a drier climate has its advantages, like (correct me if i'm wrong) weeds don't spread as quickly. my backyard borders a swamp and let me tell you it is a constant struggle against the wild. palmettos sprout everywhere within weeks if i don't keep up... i like palmettos but in my area they spread like wildfire.
The Med look is subtropical. NSW looks Med because it does a much better job of growing subtropical veg than the South. How subtropical does the inland south really look? A city in china with the winter averages of Jackson MS looks almost tropical compared to Jackson. Extreme winter deviations is the reason Jackson looks the way it does.
Jackson is barely subtropical, you'll be hard pressed even to find a sabal there. But Orange, NSW doesn't look like any better subtropical vegetation than central Mississippi.
Living in Jackson I'd be much more concerned about tornadoes than cold.
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Despite being the official tree of two states...
