When I first started gardening , I was n’t very interested in theannuals , perennialsand grasses that interest me now . Instead , It was the stalwart exotic plant I looked to . I was root on to start garden by the idea that I could farm banana , bamboo , palms and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree fern and make an exotic - looking garden in the small place behind my house in London .
My guidebook for this speculation was the fantastic bookArchitectural Plants by Christine Shaw , and the source of many of the plants was the magnificentArchitectural Plants Nurseryin West Sussex .
This was nearly 25 yr ago when London wintertime were cold than they are now , and tropic - expression planting was less common in the UK than it is today .
The ‘tropical’ garden I created in London
But even so , bet on where you hold out , creating a tropicalparadise in cool mood can still seem like an impossible horticultural challenge .
However , selecting the right stalwart exoticplants can make your tropic gardendream occur true . Here is a list of twentyhardyexotic plant that will hold up and fly high in less - than - tropical conditions , bringing that sought - after tropical flair to your outdoor quad .
I have grown nearly all of these plants in the UK , and whilst some demand a bit of protection , it is well deserving push the boundary of what is potential if this is the form of look you are assay .
The ‘tropical’ garden I created in London
1. Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm)
This robust palm stick in an unmistakable tropical vibration with its lover - shaped , segmented leaves . unfearing and behind - grow , the Chinese Windmill Palm withstandstemperatureswell below freezing , realise it ideal for create a tropical look in cool climates .
Height / Width : Up to 20 - 40 feet tall and 6 - 10 feet wide .
Foliage / Flowers : Broad , buff - shaped green leave-taking . seldom prime in cooler clime .
uprise precondition : Prefers full sun to fond shade with well - drain soil .
2. Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana)
illustrious for its speedy growth and orotund , lush leaves , the Japanese Banana is the quintessential tropic plant life . Despite its delicate appearance , it ’s amazingly stout . The roots will survive frosts with appropriate mulching , but you will need to protect the trunk over winter if you want that to come through unscathed .
Height / Width : Up to 12 - 18 foot tall and 6 - 10 feet wide-eyed .
leafage / blossom : orotund , broad parting . May bring on cream to yellow flowers followed by non - comestible banana tree in summertime if the premature winter was soft .
grow weather condition : Prefers full sun and moist , well - drained ground .
3. Fatsia japonica (Japanese Aralia)
Fatsia japonica brings drama to any garden with its big , sheeny leaves that can bring a riotous , tropic mite . It ’s exceptionally brave and likes shade , so can occupy those difficult spot .
The foliage will wilt a little when attain by frost . But I have always find that they jounce back . There is always a reinvigorated flush of leafage in spring in any fount .
Height / Width : Up to 6 - 10 feet tall and broad .
leafage / Flowers : Glossy , deep green , palmate leave ; white flower in late fall followed by sinister berry .
Growing stipulation : Thrives in partial to full shade and moist , well - drain soil .
Cultivars:‘Spider ’s Web ’ feature of speech speckle white variegation , ‘ Variegata ’ has leaves edged with cream , and ‘ Annelise ’ is notable for its yellow and greenish mottled leaf .
The ‘tropical’ garden I created in London
4. Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree)
Towering and dramatic , Cordyline australis adds pinnacle and texture with its sword - mold leaves and woody trunk . This plant life is resilient against current of air and can support some degree of frost .
Height / Width : Up to 10 - 20 foot grandiloquent and 5 - 8 feet wide of the mark .
leafage / flower : Long , narrow leave-taking that can be light-green , crimson , or purple ; fragrant white flowers in summer .
Some of the exotics were protected, but this London garden could survive cold winters
Growing atmospheric condition : Prefers full sunshine or partial shade and well - run out grunge .
Cultivars:‘Torbay Dazzler ’ sports green and emollient striped leaf , ‘ Red Star ’ flaunt cryptical reddish foliage , and ‘ Sundance ’ is celebrated for its bright yellow leaves .
5. Dicksonia antarctica (Tasmanian Tree Fern)
The Tasmanian ( or Woolly ) Tree Fern provides an exotic focal tip with its sprawl fronds and thick , fibrous trunk . It ’s remarkably frost - resistant once established , although it is best to protect the key grow point with some stalk in winter .
This prehistorical wonder personify the perfume of exotic planting and became implausibly popular with the square-toed British horticulturalists . So you will often see brilliant large specimens like these in the garden of blue-blooded the three estates .
Height / Width : Up to 10 - 15 feet tall and 6 - 10 foot broad .
Snow on Trachycarpus fortunei byPeter Clarkeis licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Foliage / Flowers : Long , arching unripe frond ; does not blossom .
Growing condition : good in partial shade with consistently moist , rich soil .
6. Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (Red Abyssinian Banana)
For a spectacular stir of colour , the Red Abyssinian Banana ’s striking red - tinged leave of absence are unbeatable .
This works does n’t really belong on this list because it wo n’t tolerate Robert Frost . But it can be grown as a fast - mature yearbook in cooler zone or winter indoors .
Height / Width : Up to 8 - 10 understructure tall and full .
Musa Basjoo
Foliage / Flowers : Broad leaves with a deep flushed underside and stalk ; seldom flowers .
Growing Conditions : Prefers full sun , ample water , and rich , well - drained soil .
7. Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo)
BlackBambooadds elegance and mystery to any garden , with its satiny black culms and lush immature parting . Like most Phyllostachys , this is afast - grow bambooand can spring a dense screen . But it should be contained by some sort of antecedent barrier to preclude it from becoming incursive , especially in fond climate and when grown in full sun .
Height / Width : Up to 15 - 25 feet grandiloquent and spreading .
Foliage / Flowers : Dark green leaves ; seldom flowers .
Growing Conditions : Thrives in full sun to partial shade , prefers moist , well - drained territory . pauperism containment .
8. Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili Ginger)
Kahili Ginger is cherished for its fragrant , bright yellow flowers that appear in recent summertime . This powdered ginger is surprisingly hardy and can thrive in cooler climates with some wintertime auspices . Note , the flow stem die off once it has flower , but the cloak-and-dagger rhizomes will produce more anthesis shoots .
Height / Width : Up to 6 feet tall and 2 - 3 pes spacious .
foliation / blossom : Large green leave-taking ; striking scandalmongering flowers with cerise stamens .
Cordyline australis bybriweldonis licensed under CC BY 2.0
Growing Conditions : Prefers fond shade and rich , moist , well - drain soil .
9. Canna x generalis (Canna Lily)
Cannas bring a burst of colour and echt ‘ tropicality ’ , with their bold foliage and vivacious blooms . Hardy in zones 7 and up , the rhizomes can be lift in fall and stored over winter in colder areas .
Height / Width : Up to 3 - 6 feet improbable and 1 - 2 metrical unit across-the-board .
leaf / Flowers : unspecific leave-taking in green or bronze ; flowers in shades of red , orange , or xanthous in summer .
Growing Conditions : Full sun , robust , moist , well - drained soil .
Cultivars:‘Tropicanna ’ boasts multi - coloured foliage and orangish flowers , ‘ Black Knight ’ has deep burgundy leaves and scarlet flowers , and ‘ Pretoria ’ offers striped green and gold leave with orange salad days .
10. Yucca filamentosa (Adam’s Needle)
Yucca filamentosa is striking with its rosettes of spiky , architectural leaves . This resilient yucca tolerates dry , pitiable soils and also inhuman temperature , give it a versatile choice for a tropical - trend garden .
The Yucca ’s architectural leaves alone are enough to justify the plant ’s spot in your garden . But the Brobdingnagian spikes of multiple white efflorescence really give the plant life its ‘ wow ’ constituent .
Height / Width : Up to 4 - 6 foot tall and extensive .
“Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii'” bywallygromis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Foliage / Flowers : Stiff , sword - like leaves ; improbable spikes of creamy white flowers in summer .
Growing condition : Full Dominicus , well - drained soil , drouth - tolerant once established .
11. Colocasia esculenta (Elephant Ear)
Colocasia , known for its elephantine , heart - shaped leaves , brings a dramatictropical effect to any garden . It fly high in moist conditions , make it perfect near ponds or in wet garden spots . Also known as Taro , the industrial plant ’s etymon are grown for intellectual nourishment , although they postulate thorough cookery as they are otherwise poisonous .
Height / Width : Up to 6 feet grandiloquent and wide .
Foliage / Flowers : Large , lush green leave of absence ; infrequent spike of yellowish - clean bloom .
Phyllostachys nigra byDinesh Valkeis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Growing consideration : Prefers fond shade and loves lactating , rich soil .
Cultivars:‘Black Magic ’ displays stun dark purple - Shirley Temple leave , while ‘ Hawaiian Punch ’ offers glossy green leafage with red stems .
12. Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum)
With its evergreen silvery - blue leaves and pare barque , Cider Gum is an first-class choice for adding a touch of the alien . It ’s outstandingly hardy and acquire quickly , providing fast coverage .
Eucalyptus gunnii is often grow as a smallshrub . The stems are cut back severely each year in Spring to encourage the novel ontogeny of the lovely blue , rounded , juvenile folio manikin seeable in the picture above .
Height / Width : Up to 30 - 40 foot tall , can be kept smaller by pruning .
Hedychium gardnerianum”bypapilioshihis licensed under CC BY 2.0
Foliage / peak : Small , aromatic , rounded leave of absence ; seldom flower in cooler climate .
turn Conditions : Prefers full sunshine and well - drained soil , tolerates drouth once install .
13. Agave americana (Century Plant)
Century Plant is celebrated for its sculptural form and enceinte , spiky leave . This desert plant is surprisingly intrepid in temperate climates if protect from winter loaded .
An unbelievable characteristic of the Agave americana is its blossom spike . As you could see from the trope below , it develop a huge tree - like structure , which has multiple ramification carry many case-by-case flowers . The plant compensate a heavy price for all the push it put into producing flowers , as it conk immediately after the flowers have been pollinated . novel plant usually spring up in its place as a event of the multiple seeds that the plant produce .
Height / Width : Up to 6 feet tall and encompassing ( not including flower spike ) .
leaf / Flowers : Thick , sarcoid leaves with precipitous tips ; tall flush spike after many years , commonly prior to the plant ’s death .
Growing stipulation : Full sun , well - drained soil , drought - tolerant .
14.Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm)
This heavyset palm is ideal for smaller gardens or containers , offer a hardy nature and slow growth . Its fan - shaped leaves impart a delicate , OK - textured flavor .
Height / Width : Up to 8 - 15 foot tall and wide of the mark .
Foliage / blossom : Silvery - green to blue - green fan - shaped leave ; yellow efflorescence .
Flowering Canna and red-leaved Canna variety
Growing shape : Full Dominicus to fond shade , well - drained filth , drouth - tolerant once established .
15. Passiflora caerulea (Blue Passion Flower)
The Blue Passion Flower is famous for its intricate , exotic heyday and speedy climbing ability . It ’s sturdy and can cover fences or treillage quickly . It has beautiful lobed leaf and sensational blooms .
This is one of my very favourite plants . It was the inspiration forthe gardenpictured at the top of the Thomas Nelson Page and one of thereasons I start up gardeningin the first place .
Height / Width : Up to 20 feet farseeing .
Yucca filamentosa byF. D. Richardsis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Foliage / blossom : Deep green leave-taking ; chance on blue and white prime followed by orange fruits .
grow Conditions : Full Sunday to fond spook , moist , well - drained soil .
16. Paulownia tomentosa (Foxglove Tree)
In its distinctive form , Paulownia tomentosa , is a squeamish medium - sized tree , with pinkie - royal flowers that expect like those of the Foxglove . So much , so ordinary .
However , if you want to make a bold statement in your garden , cut the works back hard each autumn or spring , When you do this , the new growth produce the huge dark-green leaves you could see in the picture above . This is why it modify for a lieu in this list
Height / Width : Up to 8 to 12 metrical foot tall and 3 foot wide when cut back . Will grow to 12 molarity ( 40 feet ) if left to maturate .
Colocasia esculenta illustris byMeganEHansenis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Foliage / flower : monolithic , heart - shaped leave ; no heyday when trim back regulalrly .
Growing experimental condition : Prefers full sun and moist , humus - plenteous land .
17. Tetrapanax papyrifer (Rice-paper Plant)
The Rice - composition Plant offers large , lobed leave-taking that make a dense , tropical look . It is robust and can turn back even after freezing temperatures if the root are protected .
Height / Width : Up to 8 - 12 feet tall and all-inclusive .
Foliage / efflorescence : White felted leaves ; small white flush in clusters .
Eucalyptus gunnii Silver Drop 0zzby Photo by David J. Stang is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
get Conditions : Full sunlight to fond shade , opt well - drained , productive soil .
18. Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’)
This striking bamboo features icteric canes with a unripened rut , providing year - rung interest and a tropic feel . It is a middling vigorous agriculturist and can spread itself around , especially in warmer climates . But it is abeautiful bambooand can be contained with right root barriers .
Height / Width : Up to 20 - 25 feet marvellous and spread out .
Foliage / Flowers : Evergreen , lance - shaped leaves ; infrequently blossom .
Century Plant (Agave americana). byColourful Flowersis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Growing Conditions : Full sunshine to partial shade , moist but well - drained soil , needs containment to prevent circulate .
19. Aloiampelos (Aloe) Striatula
A sprawling evergreen succulent perennial , when matured Aloe striatula , can imprint an heroic bunch of russet scab with spiky silver and grey repoint leaves . During the summer , it produces beautiful cluster of yellowed stove poker - like flowers that are peculiarly attractive to bees .
It thrives in coarse , well - drained soil and , when the drain is sharp , it can endure rough wintertime . It is ancestor hardy , so if top growth is hit severely by frost , it will usually sprout new growth by late spring . Aloe striatula adds a sculptural chemical element to gardens with its spiky , fleshy leaves . It ’s very drought - kind and perfect for gay , dry spots .
Height / Width : Up to 1 - 2 feet tall and wide .
“Agave americana Jp02” byThirteen-friis licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Foliage / efflorescence : Thick , light-green to grey - green leave-taking ; spikes of yellow tubular efflorescence .
Growing circumstance : Full sun , well - debilitate soil , fantabulous for xeriscaping .
20. Brahea armata (Mexican Blue Palm)
sleep together as the Mexican Blue Palm , this species is prize for its striking racy - green leaf and racy nature . It ’s an fantabulous palm for make a focal point in the garden .
Brahea armata is dull uprise and resilient to cold , prosper at temperatures as low as -9 degrees C. It adapts well to extreme temperatures and dry conditions . -Plant in well - drained soil and water meagrely .
Height / Width : Up to 15 - 20 feet tall and 12 fundament wide of the mark .
Chamaerops humilis bytgraurosis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
leaf / Flowers : Stiff , blue - dark-green fronds ; cream to blank flower on tall stalks .
Growing weather condition : Full Dominicus , well - enfeeble soil , put up drought and frost .
Conclusion
Each of these plants can contribute unambiguously to a garden ’s tropical theme while offering resiliency and adaptability to less - than - ideal clime conditions .
The mystery to keeping these plants live is to assure you give them the sun , soil and watering conditions they need . This stand for you ’ll require to group plant with similar needs together , and adjust your ground and other spring up condition where potential .
Our other tropical garden resources
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and nurseryman for more than 20 days and bang to verbalise and spell about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously exist in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma course of study in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He institute GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The internet site is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s expectant mail order flora retailer , as a website that publishes expert horticulture content .
Passiflora caerulea bysophieais licensed under CC BY 2.0
Phyllostachys Aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis byRob Youngis licensed under CC BY 2.0
Aloe striatula byStan Shebsis licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
