Tropical plants, coming from hot and humid regions of the planet, populate our apartments and greenhouses more easily than our gardens; and rightly so, since our climate is not adapted to them! However, it is possible to transform a corner of the garden into a tropical paradise: just dare!
Tropical plant beds
In the summer everything is allowed! Don't hesitate to take out your tropical plant pots in the garden by adapting them gradually to the light so as not to burn the foliage. Epiphyllum, orchids, tillandsias, cacti will be able to take their summer quarters and take advantage of the luminosity and natural ventilation.
In the open ground, many tropical plants can be cultivated as annuals or even preserved from one year to the next in certain regions. Generally speaking, if it is not possible to winterize these plants in a sheltered place, mulch their feet copiously and wrap them in a wintering veil to protect them.
In humid areas, think of Arums, the large white flowers always elegant, associated with Alocasias, they will bring an oriental touch without equal.
Gunnera, or Brazilian rhubarb, planted on the edge of a pond, will delight you with these huge leaves throughout the summer.
In the sunshine, think of the large cannas, which can easily reach two meters in height; the varieties with variegated leaves are extraordinary. Along a wall, climb a passionflower, its astonishing flowers will be followed by delicious fruits and to brighten up its foot with brightly colored spots, think of lantanas and plant some crocosmias bulbs.
Don't forget the hibiscus, which sheltered near a wall in privileged regions can last for many years; in colder regions prefer the very resistant Hibiscus syriacus!
Plants more hardy than expected
It is not necessarily necessary to live in a very privileged region to grow exotic plants, some of them can even withstand frost and will survive in the ground. Thus, you will be able to enjoy the immense leaves of the banana tree, just choose the hardy variety (Musa basjoo) which tolerates temperatures down to -15°. Place it in a very sunny corner sheltered from strong winds in rich and well-drained soil. Another spectacular and resistant plant, the Trachycarpus fortunei, a magnificent palm with a stringy stipe, its wide fan-shaped palms are of the most beautiful effect in the garden. It resists to -18°, but be careful to protect it well during the first years of culture if the weather is particularly cold.
In a sunny rocky bottom and in sloping and well drained ground, plant a Yucca rostrata, very resistant, it will bring a graphic touch. You can replace it by a Dasylirion texanum if you feel like it. On the same type of ground, why not try the Agaves; the "americana" and "ferox" species resist very well to frost but be careful, they fear constant humidity, just like the Aloes whose "aristata" variety can be planted as ground cover in the same growing conditions as the plants previously mentioned.
The bamboos are also excellent plants to install everywhere in the garden, whether it is in hedges, beds, or borders you will find many varieties that can withstand the cold.
On the side of the trees, the famous Indian Lilacs and its hybrid variety "Lagerstroemia x egolfii" will give you an explosion of summer flowers, just like the albizia "juribrissin". In slightly acidic soil, you can enjoy the spectacular flowering of the Magnolia grandiflora, or the Brazilian guava, which, in addition to being very hardy, will give you delicious fruits in autumn in mild regions. For a bright yellow bloom in winter, plant a Fremontia, native to California, this shrub brings color to the garden when it needs it the most!
