Washingtonia because the leaves are supposed to resemble those of Washingtonia robusta, Domus because they're located in proximity to the Tacoma Dome. Above the directional signs you may notice lights which illuminate the undersides of the palm fronds at night which is quite dramatic.
So popular was the first installation just off the 26th street freeway exit that another set was comissioned to be placed on D street even closer to the dome. I like them a little better without the directional signs nailed to the trunks.
I understand that they are extraordinarily drought tolerant, are not fussy at all about soil conditions, are hardy in all zones, and require no pruning at all. Who could ask for a less demanding plant?
Want something on a smaller scale? These beauties are outside of a business called Aqua Quip Pool and Spa in Lakewood. I've had lust in my heart for these for years!
How interesting, two artists, two different visions. Of course nothing beats the real thing, but I love look of both of these sets of palm trees.
ReplyDeleteThey are fun and could be grown even in northern gardens like your own.
DeleteThose are nice sculptures and so carefree! A good addition to the cityscape. The smaller faux palms or "spa" palms as I call them are popular here and we see them at spa and pool dealers mostly.
ReplyDeleteSpa palms - I love it! The lights on the spa palms look more like coconuts which makes me smile. Wouldn't a set of them look funky in a corner of a garden?
DeleteAt first I thought the Washingtonia Domus were cell phone towers (you do see cell phone towers disguised as palms in the southlands)...I love them all!
ReplyDeleteThere's a McDonalds south of town that has fabulous fake palms all around the drive-thru side of the restaurant. I really wanted to photograph them but couldn't figure out a way to do it that didn't involved actually driving through the drive-thru. There are some sacrifices I'm not willing to make in the name of blogging.
Oh Loree, you must suffer for us. You could order water or buy gift certificates to give to trick or treaters or a small order of fries to feed to the seagulls.
DeleteHahahaha! Of course I would plant real palms, but that is too funny. It would be nice if all telephone poles were done up as some sort of artwork like that. ahh the world would be a happier place.
ReplyDeleteThese are kind of fun but I like the real thing better, too. All telephone poles? Maybe it would be even cooler if all wires were buried and trees took the place of telephone poles.
DeleteOf course, in a couple years they'll have to repot the telephone poles in larger containers.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Did anyone think of the maintainence of these things before they installed them?
DeleteWow! I'd like to have one! Those palms would survive in the conditions I live in.
ReplyDeleteAnd how beautiful they would look covered with snow!
DeleteIt looks as if the Washingtonia domus are about to take off, or could easily cut you, maybe both. We went to a garden show last weekend where someone was selling stainless steel palm trees. Some had golden coconuts.
ReplyDelete