TROPICAL GARDEN

You are creating a garden in zone 9 or 10; we might call it an exotic garden. At least for the rest of us who have to contend with several weeks or even months of snow. You have a winner on your hands with a choice of plants that do not ask for a green thumb if it exists. Every thing grows easily with a minimum upkeep. Furthermore you have flowers all year round in a tropical garden.

Don’t be afraid to let colors clash, after all if they’re in the nature there is a reason for it.

It’s part of the fun and the beauty of an exotic garden.

• A Yucca emerging from a ground cover of Tradescantia or Mertansia maritima is a real eye catcher. The Mertansia maritima is a perennial herbaceous plant with bell-shaped blue flowers, it is also called Oyster Plant.

• A Buddleia or even a group of Buddleia can fill an empty corner or adorn your lawn. They are called Butterfly Bushes for a reason, they do attract butterflies. Dead heading is the key to having flowers for months.

Young Palm tree

• A zone 9 garden is the natural setting for Palm trees; you will choose the variety depending on the size of your garden. The height of the palm tree should not be bigger than the length or width of your tropical garden. Plant Geraniums and Petunias under the palm tree it will soften the look of the trunk.

• An orange tree is a winner. It is pretty to look at, the flowers have a delicious scent and of course, they produce fruits. A driveway or a path edged by orange or other citrus trees makes a statement. Choose the height of the trees to fit the location. Dwarf Orange trees in containers fit perfectly in a patio. You might put the container in a wicker basket it gives and elegant look to your containers.

• Leaf Acalypha Wilkensiana is a low growing 3’x4’ very colorful bush. It is a semi tropical plant. The leaves are green pink, burgundy and red. Prune regularly. Also called Mardi Gras, plant it in the lawn or a place where you want to attract attention.

• To hide an unsightly item your saviors are the climbers, of course: Parrot's Bill or Clianthus Puniceus are a good choice, they can grow up to 6’ to 16’ depending on the variety.Cobaea, Mexican vine with lavender or purple flowers in spring and summer is very decorative and will grow up to 10’ to 25’. Jasmines are climbers or clambering gloriously scented shrubs White, pink or blue they are in the making of many perfumes.

• Ixora Bush is also a winner; some varieties are scented. Ixora Coccinea has smaller leaves and flowers; it is ideal for a hedge. The flowers are red or orange; it grows up to 5’.

Ixora buds

• The Crown of Thorns should be kept at the back of a flower bed where small children don’t go. The thorny leaves are headed by clusters of red/orange flowers (grows to 3’).

• A Tropical garden calls for a Hibiscus and a Bougainvillea they are so easy to grow and their colors are a real feast.  


• The Clematis, every one’s favorite, should not be in full sun. About 200 varieties of clematis are on the market for you to choose.

Canna

• Cannas make an impressive statement at the back of a flower bed. Don’t hesitate to plant “grasses”: Miscanthus or Zebra Grass. They fill in nicely a forgotten spot and they do not ask much upkeep.

We could list so many beauties for your tropical or exotic garden, it would be too long to list them.

Enjoy your Tropical garden it will be a beauty.