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Small tropical garden design pictures


10 Tropical Garden Ideas for a Resort-Like Landscape

Ideas for creating a tropical garden that evokes the beauty and serenity of far-off destinations By Justine Guidry Published 8/26/2022

Dreaming of tropical gardens evokes thoughts of vibrant flowers and large foliage in colors ranging from vibrant lime green to deep forest green—and gardeners who don’t live in warm, humid climates often assume that this type of look is out of reach for them. The good news is that even if your climate doesn’t allow you to grow every plant you’d seen in Hawaii, for example, you can still get a tropical garden aesthetic in your own backyard.

TROPICAL GARDEN IDEAS

1. Choose Tropical Garden Plants:

So, what type of plants are in a tropical garden? Rather than limiting yourself to plants typically found in hot locations, focus on plants with the visual qualities of tropical plants. When used in the right combinations, you’d be surprised at how some plants that are hardy down to even Zone 4 (hello, hostas!) can contribute to creating a resort-style look.

With the right combination of plants, you can give any garden—anywhere—a tropical feel. At this garden in Portland, OR, (Zone 8b) Lauren Hall-Behrens created a calm retreat with a tropical feel using plants such as hardy Musa basjoo (Japanese banana), and sweeps of Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’. See more of this garden here.

Here are some characteristics to keep an eye out for:

When choosing spots for each of your plants, make sure to put plants with similar water, sun, and soil needs together. See specific plant suggestions here.

2. Make the Most of Your Space:

Limited on outdoor space? That’s okay—you can still get a tropical vibe in a small garden! Even a few coordinating containers can create an eye-catching vignette. Consider creating a combination of multiple plants in a larger container first. Then, feature some of the plants you used in that container on their own in smaller containers. Place those around the larger display to create cohesion.

This vivid container is a self-watering AquaPot that includes: Toucan® Yellow canna lily, Superbells® Yellow calibrachoa, Supertunia Mini Vista® Hot Pink petunia, and Supertunia® Lovie Dovie™ petunia (get the container recipe). Photo by Proven Winners.

If you either don’t have the room or you’re just looking to dabble in tropical design, try your hand at planting just one large container with the right combination of big foliage and vibrant colors. Bonus: you can overwinter the container to make it last longer. Get ideas for more tropical container combinations.

Love containers but not a fan of having to remember to water them? Try AquaPots!

3. Transform a Corner:

Whether you have a corner of your garden or patio that needs an update or you just want to freshen up your backyard, a tropical makeover is a great solution. Use containers to add plants that fit in with the scene, and don’t forget to include a piece of outdoor furniture to provide a spot to lounge and enjoy the scenery.

Large-leafed plants against the house and a variety of leafy plants with vibrant foliage in AquaPot containers make this corner feel like a mini retreat. Photo by Proven Winners.

4. Give Your Pool Area a Resort-Like Feel:

If you have a pool, including tropical plants in and around your pool area can completely alter the appearance and feeling of the space. Swimming or lounging in the water and looking out to see lush greenery and bright blooms can make it feel like you’re on a getaway at a resort. Having planter beds that surround your pool area is not required, either. Grouping pots around your pool deck is a simple solution if you don’t have in-ground planting area. Choose plants in varying heights and colors for the best effect and to create a secluded feeling.

See how this pool got a lush, tropical makeover. Photo: Lewis Aqüi.

5. Be Strategic About Colors & Patterns:

Sometimes all it takes is a few elements in the right color or pattern to pull everything together. On a patio, for example, the right outdoor pillows next to a container garden with just a subtle tropical vibe does the trick. An outdoor blanket, lounge chair, or cushions in vibrant colors or appropriate patterns are other items that work to liven things up.

Colors typically used for tropical gardens:

Tip: Don’t overdo the tropical patterns. Just a few splashes of it here and there will suffice!

The green pitcher and glasses, pillows with a palm leaf pattern, and Graceful Grasses® Prince Tut™ jutting from the center of the green ceramic pot all work together to create a tropical look on this patio. In addition to the grasses, the container includes Goldilocks Rocks® bidens, Superbells® Coralina calibrachoa, and Supertunia® Royal Velvet® (get the container recipe). Photo by Proven Winners.

6. Dote on the Details:

Teak, rattan, and wicker are furniture materials that contribute nicely to a tropical scheme. So does soft lighting via lanterns or uplighting on focal-point plants. Thoughtfully considering how the features of each new piece works together with your existing space makes a huge impact.

Teak furniture and romantic lighting make this dreamy spot reminiscent of an exotic retreat. A container combination completes the scene with Proven Accents® Sweet Caroline Bewitched After Midnight™ sweet potato and vibrant red Supertunia® Black Cherry® petunias. Photo by Proven Winners.

7. Repeat Plants to Attract Attention:

Group plants of the same species together to create a large mass of stunning foliage or eye-catching blooms (or both!). Using this technique with tropical plants is a surefire way to create visual interest.

This square planting bed includes masses of three plants: bright-green Lemon Coral® sedum, deep burgundy ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch™ coleus, and prolifically blooming SunPatiens® Compact Orange impatiens. At center, a majesty palm stands tall. Get the landscape recipe. Photo by Proven Winners.

8. Use a Backdrop for Visual & Physical Support:

A small backdrop such as a wooden fence or wrought-iron trellis provides a spot for plants to lean on, and it also contributes to the scene by introducing a new material. Have a garden bed that feels incomplete? Add a backdrop and plant a tropical flower garden in front of it.

Here, three plants shine in front of a small wooden fence. From front: Supertunia® Royal Velvet® petunia, Golden Butterfly® Argyranthemum, and Toucan® scarlet canna. Get the landscape recipe. Photo by Proven Winners.

9. Add Whimsical Elements:

Find garden art in the form of fountains, statues, containers, and more, that fit into your tropical theme. For tropical gardens, gardeners use everything from vintage boats as planters, to seashells interspersed with decorative rock, to metal sea turtles as wall décor.

This Easter Island statue that also serves as a planter for string of beans fits in perfectly with waxy red anthurium blooms. Photo by Joshua Reddekopp on Unsplash.

10. Incorporate a Water Feature:

The finishing touch for every tropical escape? Water. Adding a water feature to a tropical garden is a must. And it doesn’t have to be huge! Even just the sound of water from a small electric fountain can make a big difference. The trickle of water adds tranquility and contributes to the overall theme of the space.

Surrounded by a variety of palm and banana species, this large water feature transforms this conservatory into an exotic escape. Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash.

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Tropical Garden Profiles

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How to Create A Tropical Style Garden

Just like a natural rainforest, tropical gardens are known for their lush layers of beautiful plants! This landscaping style is made for everyone who loves to be surrounded by greenery and blooms. Best of all, you don’t have to actually live in the tropics to achieve this look—you can cultivate a tropical feeling in any climate.

Keep reading for tips from our expert landscape designers on how to build the tropical backyard of your dreams!

What Makes a Tropical Garden?

It’s simple to find design references for tropical landscaping—all you have to do is look to nature! Tropical landscaping can include everything from a densely-planted, jungle-style backyard to a more pared down modern tropical garden.

For a more minimal take on tropical landscaping, you can select a few statement tropical plants that you want to feature and make them the stars of your garden beds while keeping the rest of your landscaping more low key. On the other hand, if you’re a maximalist in your interior design, this is your chance to include lots of plants in your landscaping.

Whatever your personal style is, there are some common design elements that unite tropical gardens:

  1. Lush layers of foliage in different sizes, textures, and heights
  2. A bold mix of glossy green leaves and vibrant colors
  3. Bright, colorful foliage, flowers, and accessories
  4. Natural wood and stone that feel like they could have been sourced from the jungle
  5. Landscaping features reminiscent of the tropics (we’ll get to this more further down!)

Plants for a Tropical Garden

Let’s start with the good news: you don’t need to live in the tropics to have a tropical garden! Picking tropical landscape plants can feel intimidating if you live in a cold or dry climate, but you can add tropical plants to any backyard by selecting bold foliage and flowers suitable for your region.

If you live in the southwest, a palm tree or two can become the centerpiece of your low-maintenance tropical front yard landscaping. For people in the great cold north, you can fill your yard with lush native plants and put your more delicate tropical plants in planters that can be brought inside in extreme weather.

We’ve created gardens all over the country, and we’ve cultivated a list of plants that we keep coming back to in our tropical landscape designs. This includes plants for a range of different climates and the low-maintenance tropical landscaping plants we’re all dreaming of. Here the shortlist of our favorite plants for a tropical garden:

Yucca

Sumac

Hardy Hibiscus

Coontie

Buttonbush

Grangipani Plumeria

Hardscape for a Tropical Garden

Most people’s Pinterest boards of tropical garden ideas are dominated by plants, plants, and more plants—but it’s thoughtful hardscaping that will elevate your backyard from a wild jungle to a luxurious outdoor living space. There are some easy guidelines to infuse that tropical feeling throughout your hardscape whether you’re looking for small tropical garden ideas or recreating a jungle inspired retreat in your backyard.

When it comes to materials, the more raw and organic, the better! Natural wood furniture and a rough-hewn stone patio look at home in a tropical landscape—on the other hand, sleek metal and squared off concrete would feel out of place. For accessories, natural textures rule. Handmade ceramics and textiles are perfect picks, but don’t be afraid to opt for boldly dyed colors to complement the hues in your plants.

Of course, we can’t resist a good landscaping feature! Here are some of our favorites that fit the tropical theme:

  1. Bubbling fountain: The sound of flowing water instantly adds to the rainforest atmosphere! You can choose a large centerpiece fountain or a miniature tabletop version if you’re on the hunt for tropical small garden ideas.
  2. Hammock: Kicking back in a hammock instantly turns your brain to vacation mode—perfect for your backyard retreat. Match it to your landscaping by choosing a woven, natural material.
  3. Tiki hut: Trade in a traditional pergola for a charming tiki hut that can cover your outdoor seating area—or better yet, your outdoor bar.
  4. Waterfall: Forget traveling to a rainforest waterfall—it can travel to you! This can be a small water feature or an impressive cascade into your backyard pool.
  5. Porch swing: Suspended seating on your covered porch lets you continue to soak in the tropical vibes, rain or shine.
  6. Swim-up bar: If you’re looking to go big with your tropical backyard ideas, you can’t beat a bar for your pool! Nothing says tropical luxury like being able to snag a Piña Colada without ever leaving the water.

Looking for even more inspiration? Visit your local botanical garden and take style notes on how plants are displayed in the tropical areas. (We’re big fans of the ​​Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for any Florida locals or visitors!) Bring those tropical landscape ideas back home to your yard and let your green thumb run wild!

Tilly Tropical Inspired Landscape Designs


Oh, and if you want design help from an expert—we’ve got you covered.

Landscaping of a small area: techniques for expanding space

Arranging a suburban area with a very limited area is a very exciting experience. To create comfort in crowded conditions, designers have come up with many ways. How to successfully arrange the landscape design of a small area in detail in the text of the article.

To create a landscape design for a small area, there are certain rules for visually increasing the space

For any urban dweller, a country house is a rest from the hustle and bustle of cities, unity with nature, relaxation, peace. To create a “piece of paradise” for yourself and your family, you will have to try very hard. When the dacha is small, then it will take a little money and time to improve it. She will be able to please the owners anyway.

Individual elements can visually limit the area of ​​the garden, they will have to be hidden or removed

Content

Site zoning

When zoning a small area, you need to think carefully about where and which zones to place. Most of the space is usually allocated for a garden, a vegetable garden. Three times less will be needed for a recreation area, flower beds, and everything else - a house, outbuildings. This ratio allows you to harmoniously, functionally place everything. Instead of a garden, some make a small pond with green lawns around.

Outline of the zoning of the space of the site

What you need to consider when developing a plan with your own hands.

To divide the territory into zones, it is better to use low partitions made of natural stone

Japanese-style small garden design is very popular. In such a garden, trees, figurines, ponds, rock gardens, stones, etc. will be miniature, then the space of the site will seem large. An abundance of moss, ground cover plants, small flowers will produce the same effect.

A dwarf tree, a tiny arbor and stones - why not a "piece" of Japan in the center of a green lawn

See alsoDesign of a gazebo in landscape design of different styles

Three basic rules

There are three rules to follow in landscaping a limited-sized dacha:

  1. Removing artificial walls. No "deaf" high fences - they will make the space very cramped. Instead of a large dense fence, you should choose a fence made of a low picket fence, a chain-link mesh, a wattle fence, along which climbing plants are planted.
  2. Release the center. Large buildings, tall decorations, trees should be placed at the edges. In the middle of the site, you can dig a pond, make a smooth green lawn.
  3. We create an accent point, a "highlight" of the site. It can be a luxurious flower bed, mostly with light flowers, a small illuminated fountain, a platform with a stone hearth, a bridge over a stream or the house itself.

A vertical support for a climbing plant covered with greenery or flowers creates perspective and space becomes more spacious

Illusion of scale - all the paths leading to the center of the garden pass through tall plants, leaving only a corner to relax

Visual increase in space can be achieved with multi-level platforms

Wrought iron fence is originally combined with the same benches, table, barbecue. If for some reason the fence has to be made concrete, it is decorated with convex mirrors - visually it will seem that there is twice as much space in the yard as it actually is. Hanging flower beds-pockets are placed on a high fence, in which purslane, begonia, alyssum, fuchsia or even strawberries, lettuce, parsley grow.

See alsoDo-it-yourself front garden: where to start decorating and what to look for?

Methods of visual expansion of the plot area

The limited space of the cottage is its disadvantage, which is difficult to hide. But you can emphasize the dignity of this place by adding bright details. A colorful playground, homemade benches, hand-painted wooden sculptures, an unusual garden.

It seems that behind the opening in the wall there is a garden immersed in greenery. This is actually a decorative poster that creates the illusion of deceit

Let's use the garden path. It should be made sinuous so that the distance between objects seems to be as large as possible. The paths can be made of stones, gravel, brick remnants, concrete tiles laid directly on the lawn grass. The location of the arch anywhere in the dacha will create the impression that there is another garden on the other side of it.

Winding paths help create the illusion of a large garden

Even a small pond will contribute to the optical effect. Calm water like a mirror reflects clouds and nearby objects - the garden seems much larger than it actually is

An artificial pond with clear water, a waterfall will give the territory "airiness". If several large mirrors are placed above the pond in the corner of the fence, they will not only emphasize the uniqueness of the space, but visually make the site much more spacious. The path leading "to the mirror" set at an angle creates the illusion that the garden is much larger than it seems.

The stream in the stones attracts the eye, diverting from the size of the garden

Mirrors should not be hung too high to prevent birds crashing into them. It should be taken into account how the sun's rays fall on it - the reflected light should not hurt the eyes. It is desirable that something beautiful is reflected in the mirror - when placed opposite the flower bed, the effect of an endless flower field will be created.

Garden furniture should not seem bulky, preferably portable, light colors. Proper lighting of the resting place will visually give it extra space. Buildings, statues, trellises are also recommended to be made white or silver.

Use mixed buildings. The glazed part of this hozblok is suitable for a mini-greenhouse, and in the house there is a place to store garden tools

Landscaping practical advice

For landscaping a summer cottage of small size, vertical flower beds are suitable - in the form of a tower, a pyramid. Various plants can be planted in wooden barrels, hemp, floor vases can be decorated with car tires painted in different colors.

As a distracting accent, the standard rose is excellent, during the flowering period it is simply impossible to take your eyes off it

Original decorative elements perfectly distract from the modest size of the plot

To visually enlarge the summer cottage with their own hands, designers recommend:

  1. Remove all unnecessary. Buildings, if possible, should be placed in the corners, fences should be made low and transparent. Plant trees along the fence so that they cover the fence with their crowns, without cluttering up the interior space of the site.
  2. Use pond, mirror. A pond near one of the walls, a huge mirror above it will significantly expand the space, making it brighter.
  3. Various shades. Cold colors visually remove objects, warm colors bring them closer. During the day, the color solution is realized with the help of flowering plants, and at night - well-chosen lighting.
  4. Apply screens. They are created for zoning the territory, from small arches, trellises with ornamental and vegetable plants, which is especially convenient when the cottage is located on a hillside.
  5. Layered design. The garden, located on several levels, seems large and varied. You can create cascades by placing tall plants along the walls, low plants closer to the center of the site. Hanging flowerpots will decorate the resting place well. Arches and gazebos entwined with grapes look great.
  6. Enlargement of the garden "deeper". This effect is achieved with the help of volumetric painting of buildings, fences, and the arrangement of trees.

A mini birch alley will create a spatial perspective and add depth to the space

Pergola - one of the options for vertical gardening of the site

If the owner of the site has the skills of an artist, and the fence is concrete and gray, then a whole huge picture can be depicted on it. For example, a seashore, the edge of a forest, a sunset, a summer flowering field.

See alsoDo-it-yourself garden paths: drawings and design options

Getting creative with your garden design will help a lot when it comes to choosing between vegetable plants and a flower bed. Well-fertilized and well-groomed beds in appearance are in no way inferior to decorative flower beds. Colored lettuce leaves, even rows of carrots, asparagus beans in the background along the fence. Onions and garlic are easy to pair with flowers that will bloom much later.

Beautiful flower bed with densely planted flowers

Bed-beds are best located in the warmest, sunniest place. You can ennoble them with improvised materials - colored plastic bottles, stones, bricks, remnants of construction waste. Many flowering plants are planted closer to autumn, when most of the crop has already been harvested. Ipomoea, marigolds, daisies, pansies are suitable. Gladiolus, alpine forget-me-not, petunia, asters, crocuses look good.

An island with flowers in the center of the lawn breaks up the space, blocking the view, and the garden is no longer visible through and through at a glance

The flower garden can be given any shape, but simple geometric shapes are preferred to save space. If the roof of the house or one of the buildings is flat, strong, then a flower bed can be made there. It is only important to choose drought-resistant, light-loving plants. A floating flower garden is a great idea. It is located on a "raft" made of foam, can be anchored to the bottom.

See alsoGarden design 4 acres. How to equip a small area with your own hands?

We take care of the lawn and greenery

If the flower beds are made a little “raised” above the ground, surrounding them with plank or stone sides and adding soil, then they will be able to warm up more by the sun, it is better to bloom and bear fruit. Caring for them will be simplified - it will be possible to approach for watering and processing without dirt.
Lawn watering is carried out using a diffuser or an ordinary watering can. Timely mowing of the lawn and bushes must be done - an overgrown garden gives the impression of an abandoned one. Combing, aeration, pest control, lawn grass fertilization are also desirable.

Every garden plot needs a lawn, even the smallest one

Trees and garden beds need to be fertilized periodically and perennial flowers need to be replanted. Pruning trees, periodically cleaning fallen leaves and rotting fruits, allows them not to get sick.

If the beds, then only beautiful ones

If mirrors are installed in the yard, then it must be taken into account that the sunlight reflected from them, falling on especially delicate plants, can cause them to burn. For the winter, plants that are not frost-resistant should be covered with a spruce forest or special material.

See alsoDesign ideas for decorating the terrace

Feng Shui and backyard

Ancient Chinese culture believes that in order to create a harmonious atmosphere in a country house, it is necessary that the Qi energy flow freely. This is carried out when the balance of the five elements is achieved - fire, water, earth, wood, metal. The Feng Shui landscape radiates the purest energy that fills a person.

Place a couple of plants in a calm shade, such as purple, on opposite sides of the plot. Colored bushes echo each other and visually enlarge the space

Color plays an important role in the design of a small garden. Some shades give warmth, others create a feeling of coolness

The color scheme of the space is of great importance in such improvement. White and shades of purple soothe, heal people. Red and yellow enhance energy, increase efficiency. It is important not to overload the garden and flower beds with an abundance of colors.

Yin energy colors - blue, purple, black, white. Yang colors include yellow, red and orange. If the balance of Yin and Yang is maintained, then in such a wonderful space a person truly relaxes.

There should be few shrubs, but their colors should be chosen so that the composition will delight with beauty all summer

All plantings and buildings are also made on the basis of a harmonious combination of the five elements. High-quality furniture, ponds, beautiful plants, sculptures, mirror mosaics on fences, proper care of the garden will help maintain a balance of energy and well-being in a country house.

Garden design should look like a single composition, not a collection of random elements

In the design of a small area, it is important to observe moderation without cluttering it excessively, keeping all the elements in the same style. If you can’t ennoble the space with your own hands, you can turn to professional designers for help.

Expert opinion

Alina Kvileva

Landscape designer

Ask an expert

Hello, my name is Alina and I am a landscape designer, if you have any questions regarding landscape design, ask with pleasure I will answer them.

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Video: how to equip a garden of 6 acres

See alsoBeautiful landscape design of a country house: we create it ourselves

Delicious beauty of the tropical garden | Landscaping of gardens and plots

The orchard is organized as a park in the landscape style of landscaping.

In the center of the exotic garden there is a large body of water, which, I believe, is of man-made origin, because timely watering is necessary for fruit plantings, and the climate of Thailand is not rich in rains.
On the pond - pavilions under thatched roofs, which are connected to the shore by a pontoon bridge with an amazing rope fence.

And on the shore, on stilts, under a roof of oriental-style wooden tiles, there is a no less attractive house with a bridge on stilts, the fencing of which is simpler - a row of wooden bars. But beauty manifests itself in diversity, comparison and trifles.

More than twenty species of local fruit trees grow on the territory, the fruits of which can be seen if you are lucky to find yourself in the garden during their fruiting period.

I traveled through the garden when many trees had no fruit. And it seemed interesting to me to make small collages, put pictures with their fruits on the photo with fruit trees, so that you can visualize how the tree and its fruit look like. For those living in Russia, this is exotic. And although now many fruits can be safely bought in our Russian stores, I believe that many will be interested to see how they grow in a tropical garden.

At the entrance to the garden with tropical trees, guests are greeted by funny figures of chubby girls near the water cascade, which is completely lost against the backdrop of lush tropical plants. And these girls reminded me very much of Russian nesting dolls :)

Their girlfriends, but already in completely beach outfits, are fixed in the pillars of the bridge - so that it would not be boring to walk along it - for society .. :)

View of the house and the bridge on stilts against the backdrop of tropical trees on the shore of a landscape pond.

A group of pavilions with a thatched roof on a pontoon and a pontoon bridge over a pond. Even with such an exotic roof, this complex looks more modern.

The pontoon bridge completely fascinated me with its rope fence. It seems nothing complicated, but charmingly - a marine theme. By the way, I later met the same fences on other bridges in Thailand.

Undoubtedly, many imagine that pineapples grow on trees, but this is not so. Pineapple is a herbaceous plant and grows on such beds. In the photo you can see a small bump, from which the well-known and beloved by many fruit will develop later on.

But this is a complete exotic - rambutan. One of the most visible in the markets and the most delicious exclusively Thai fruits. Bright red fruits with a pale green bristle taste vaguely reminiscent of grapes, only sweeter.

Pomelo is also not familiar to us, but it is very similar to grapefruit, only sweeter, less sour. And often the size of the fruit is much larger than that of grapefruits familiar to us.

And this fruit, called sapodilla, I personally liked very much because of its sweetness. The brown fruit has a rounded shape, slightly reminiscent of an egg. It is better to eat this fruit after full ripening, then the pulp is quite soft and very sweet, although it lacks juiciness.

Coconut does not need to be introduced to anyone. The only thing I note is that it grows on palm trees in the form of such green balls. And sold on the streets of Thailand, also in a green shell. This is already here, in order to reduce transportation costs, the green shell is removed and we see such shaggy brown coconuts on the shelves of our stores.

Dragon fruit grows on low trees similar to cacti in such ordinary plantings. The color is rich pink and covered with "scales". Its dimensions are comparable to a large apple, only slightly elongated. The edges of the "scales" are green or light green in color, which looks very exotic. The flesh inside is white with small black bones that can be eaten. I tried it and this fruit did not make a special impression on me - it turned out to be some kind of tasteless. But in a fruit salad it is not bad at all and is edible, i.e. well sets off the tastes of other fruits - mango, pineapple, watermelon, etc.

And the mangosteen fruit tree has such an unattractive appearance. Well, nothing surprising, and here in Russia often fruit trees do not have a very neat appearance and are prone to various diseases and other misfortunes. Under the thick dark red skin of the mangosteen hides cream-colored flesh, which is best eaten with a fork. The taste of the fruit is sweet, with a slight tart aftertaste.

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