Last Rites for the Pygmy Palm

Previously I wrote about damages many of our plants sustained from our colder than normal winter. 

Our Pygmy Palm was one such victim.

 I trimmed the dead fronds off in March, hoping that the wee bit of green I could see near the heart of the palm would sustain it and produce new fronds.  

New fronds did not emerge as spring progressed. 

It was time to remove the remains. 

The Mister inched down the hill in his little excavator

and began to dig around the palm. 

He quickly discovered that although the palm may have been a 'pygmy',

it's roots were not!

It had a very healthy, extensive root network.

He dug some more.

And finally, after 34 minutes he was able to wrench the palm from its final resting place.

We looked for some sort of small, ornamental tree that would like partial sun.

We didn't find any that live in this zone and would like the conditions 

and space in that particular corner. 

We came home from the nursery with a Pinwheel Jasmine shrub.

This shrub will only grow to be about 6' tall, 

and 6' around, and will flower all summer. 

It can also be trimmed to form a multi-trunk tree, if desired. 

I think it will be a lovely addition to my back garden.