Would you like a tropical oasis in your back garden? Inspired by holidays in far-off lands, this style of planting has become extremely fashionable. This theme of planting can be characterised by architectural leaves and exotic flowers. Surprisingly we can grow a range of ‘exotics’ which can survive our winter if given the correct care.

We can divide this style of planting into two groups;

Hardy Exotics

These are plants with lush architectural foliage and form, that are relatively hardy and can be over – wintered outdoors during the colder months.

Fatsia japonica (Caster Oil plant) – shrub with ‘hand shaped’ glossy leaves. Prefers semi-shade and rich, well drained soil.

Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana) – hardy banana, will survive low temperatures if stem is protected with horticultural fleece and straw.

Phormium tenex (New Zealand Flax) – sword-shaped, extremely tough leaves.

Dicksonia antartica (Tree Fern) – magestic tree fern with fronds up to 2 m long. Crown must be protected with straw during cold months.

Tender Exotics

These were first inspired in the Victorian period by bedding schemes in which tender conservatory ornamentals where planted outside during the summer months.

Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (Abyssinian banana) – Leaves have a red / purple underside. This banana can reach 6m in height.

Cautleya spicata (Ginger Lily) - purple flushed foliage with red / yellow flowers which appear later in the season.

Persicara microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ - ground cover plant with pointed maroon leaves striped with white.

Colocasia esculenta ‘ Illustris’ (Edoes) - can be grown from corm, large dark green leaves.

Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding) – long red flowers which can be grown easily from seed.