Even in regions that at first glance would not lend themselves to it, it is possible to create an exotic and lush plant decor. Let's see how to prepare the ground and choose the plants that will best resist.
Create a favorable micro-climate
To create a dream setting with abundant vegetation, you must first create a micro-climate in the area dedicated to the exotic style. The plants will then be able to grow sheltered from the prevailing winds, which could otherwise cause the temperature to drop too low. A walled city garden, a patio, or a courtyard are ideal locations. If your garden is not protected in this way, install 2-meter high wooden panels to delimit the area to be protected. You can then hide them with climbing or vertical plants to create that lush effect so desired in an exotic garden.
The majority of the plants that will be installed, most of which come from subtropical climates, will do well in well-drained soil, which will avoid a good number of diseases as well as the dreaded asphyxiation of the roots. If this was not the case at home, work the soil by adding compost and sand, or even a draining bed of pozzolan at the bottom of the planting holes.
A wise choice of plants
Many plants can take advantage of the ideal conditions created for them, you just have to choose them hardy enough to survive in your region.
When we think 'exotic' we inevitably imagine bamboo and palm trees. This is a good thing because some species are hardy and can be installed without worry in gardens in the center and north of the country.
The use of bamboos is multiple: the non-tracking varieties like 'Fargesia murielae' or 'Sasa veitchii' with white variegated foliage which resist up to -20° can be planted in clumps in a bed. Larger plants such as the famous golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) or the very ornamental black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) will be perfect to delimit the area. Be careful, however, to install an anti-rhizome barrier in the ground to avoid invasion!
As for palms, Trachycarpus fortuneii with its beautiful fan-shaped palms will undoubtedly bring an unparalleled touch of exoticism. It can resist to -20°C once well installed!
Dare, the banana tree in a well sheltered corner. Musa basjoo or Musa sikkimensis are very hardy. The large, soft green leaves will provide you with a beneficial shade in summer while evoking distant lands with sweet flavors.
To dress up the ground or to create a cool area around a bamboo or pebble fountain, think of ferns! There are many varieties, some of which are of European origin and well adapted to our shady and humid gardens. The most adventurous will start growing the tree fern (Dicksonia antartica) which can withstand -5° C if planted in well-drained soil. Very majestic, and able to reach more than 5 meters high in its country of origin, it brings a very particular touch to the garden.
Always very graphic, the phormium and its varieties with purple or variegated foliage, inspire exoticism. Much hardier than one might think, its stump resists up to -15°C. It allows you to create dreamy decorations at the foot of palms or bamboos while adding a welcome note of color in this green universe. The kniphofias will also contribute to this brightness, proud of their orange summer stems. Don't forget to add a few Japanese lanterns, mobiles here and there and large pots containing bunches of large cut bamboo culms to complete your exotic decor.
