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Phoenix palms |
It might be hard to believe but here in the UK it is possible
to create a little tropical paradise in the garden. Regardless of the wet and cold weather that
is frequently experienced, there are some tropical plants out there that will
withstand the UK conditions. When trying
to put together a tropical garden, it does not hurt to be creative with the
design for the best effect. Remember
that a tropical garden does not have to be uniform in design so do not worry
about symmetry but just place the plants where they will have the most dramatic
impact.
Tropical plants for the UK
Carefully choosing the right plants is essential. Some tropical plants are definitely too
delicate for the UK but others will survive quite well if they are protected
from winter conditions. This can usually
be done with fleece or straw. Think
about plants that have sword-shaped leaves such as phormiums or yucca. The advantage of these plants is that they
have strongly-coloured leaves and there are plenty of different varieties
available.
Consider plants that have silver or grey leaves that will
reflect any heat or light away. Choose
large plants such as cardoon to put at the back of a border. If you opt for succulent plants such as Agave americana these can be easily protected during the winter months, as they are
best grown in containers, so can be brought indoors away from damaging winds
and frost.
Consider bamboo; not strictly speaking a tropical plant but it
gives a very tropical feel as well as being able to withstand the colder
weather. Ferns are also a typical
jungle-looking plant that can deal with lower temperatures. Hostas are a popular choice already in many
gardens and are ideal for helping to create that tropical image. Plants such as the Fatsia japonica can
survive temperatures down to -18°C, while the Mediterranean dwarf fan palm is
fine down to around -10°C.
All that remains then is to decide where they need to be
put. Texture is important in a tropical
garden, with different shades of green, different shapes of leaves and
different heights of the plants all working together to make every part of the
garden interesting.
Enjoying a tropical garden
There is no point going to the trouble of carefully creating
a tropical garden if it is not going to be enjoyed. A seating area is an essential part of any
tropical garden design and it is important to make sure that the garden
furniture is of high quality. Creating a seating area is easy and it can be
carefully disguised with plants to ensure that those who use it feel as though
they are hidden from the rest of the world.
Choose materials that fit with the tropical theme such as rattan or
bamboo. Place the seating area where
most of the garden can be enjoyed and use pathways to link each part of the
garden.
All that is left then is to make the most of the work and
ensure that plenty of time is spent outdoors – when the weather allows of
course.
Labels: Exotic Garden, Palm, Tropical Garden
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