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design & words Amir Schlezinger
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Tropical Garden Design

While many urban gardens embody contrived retrofitted frameworks, designed to fulfil streamlined architectural principles, the merits of tropical garden design alleviate the impact of our modern outdoor lifestyle. A lush landscape fabric, whatever the garden plot size, often redefines and balances the essence, permanence and well-being of our personal outdoor sanctuaries, when site conditions are optimal. In London's mild microclimate, where clay soil, adequate rainfall and inherent urban structural make-up sustain valuable shelter, tropical gardens thrive and continually reinvent mundane prospects into evocative, immersive and inspiring outdoor canvases.

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1. light 2. ferns 3. water 4. palms 5. foliage 6. cycads 7. tropics 8. jungled 9. burle marx 10. perspective

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1

light

luxuriant london garden

Natural light defines and revitalises outdoor spaces by highlighting three-dimensional qualities and detail nuances; the more layered a garden is in its foliage and sculptural spatial design, the further this sunlight phenomenon accentuates architectural gardens beyond our intended design during daytime. London's low daylight luminosity is often mitigated by utilising glossy foliage plants and light-toned hard landscaping frameworks, and when we infuse tropical foliar stimulus liberally into our capital's private outdoor spaces, we purposefully generate reflecting qualities which enhance biophilic well-being.

tropical canopies

Numerous hierarchical design sequences signify an innate proclivity to produce static, structured layouts, even though residential gardens derive their most reassuring aspects from fluid lush landscapes. The evergreen structures of subtropical and large-leaved tropical floras, intrinsically amplified by heterogeneous genera and beneficially high foliar reflectance, not only generate invigorating settings, but are also highly conducive to immersive outdoor lighting. With an increasing, unrelenting skyglow engulfing our night sky, tropical canopies contain terrestrial garden lighting effectively, and transform familiar daytime surroundings into dynamic, and memorable, silhouetted sceneries.

2

ferns

subtropical roof terrace

Ferny, tropical textures provide energising contrast amid smooth foliage surfaces, while true Ferns generate sheer primordial essence with unmistakable silhouettes, distinct aroma and translucent fronds. While scores of esteemed botanists strive to grasp our fronded allies' evolutional merits, shedloads of garden designers perennially relish ferns' indispensability in forming pivotal natural underlayers, as well as towering magnificence constructed by Tree ferns. With more than 60 native UK fern species and thousands winter-hardy, shade-loving genera worldwide, we continually utilise this versatile, filigree, dainty flora as one of the most adaptable and lenient woodland organisms. Tropical ferns manifest their splendour in silky, bold outlines, and while the bulk of these species is tender and wouldn't survive UK's winter temperatures, such delectable vegetation is handily fitting as captivating potted focal points for summer displays.

fernswoodwater

3

water

waterfall designs

Our entire ecosystem is dependent on water cycles which sustain Earth's vast verdant lungs, while its natural balance of wooded areas and liquid surfaces preserves our very existence and passion for vital rainforests. While mainstream urban water features mostly reflect a luxurious lifestyle, representing water ownership in a variety of forms, their functionality extends environmental cycles by producing thriving flora amid pivotal humidity, essential wildlife provisions and soothing well-being, enhanced with nurturing light. Since water scarcity defines a long-term, global ecological agenda, tropical garden design factors in temperate climates are at times pigeonholed as unviable. Yet, when a waterfall's design ethos within a private residential garden setting is integrated sensitively into efficient contemporary designs, utilised sympathetically to augment a wholesome approach, its core impetus preserves our instinctive desire to interact with, absorb, and relish, the Tropics' definitive vitality – synchronised both aesthetically and ecologically among contoured, awe-inspiring vegetation.

4

palms

rooftop garden sanctuary

From 20 majestic Palm species lining Eastern Himalaya, to over 2,000 endemic to the Intertropical zone, Arecaceae is a relatively new plant family, which first appeared a mere 80 million years ago. This fresh addition to our planet's leafy landscape represents some of the most beneficial, resilient and ubiquitous flowering plants genera, enabled and nourished by 300 million years of replenishable Cycad, Fern and Moss undergrowth. While the Palm oil industry's short-sightedness undermines significant tropical habitats and their inhabitants alike, fuelled by short-term gains, in our own humble abodes and refined outdoor spaces, these most distinctive of all plant species remain an epic symbol of eternity, freedom and peace. By utilising Tropical palm trees for indoor displays, while integrating winter-hardy, temperate and subtropical palmy species into garden and roof terrace designs, we elevate tediously dull home exteriors with opulent and diversified green footprints, redefined by stately trunks, crowns and leaflets.

palmsbamboofoliage

5

foliage

london bali retreat

South of the equator, plant life's biological synthesis produces the most diverse foliage anatomies, and while some of its species are yet to be discovered, with countless organisms systematically annihilated by humans' profitable absurdity, the charismatic floras which sustain its lifeblood continue to nurture dynamic principles in our modern garden ethos. Since tropical foliage cultivation eludes UK's outdoors, we routinely embrace exotic-looking, winter-hardy greeneries which closely resemble Southern Hemisphere's endemic vegetation, while vitally preserving regional garden design authenticity.

exotic gardens

We integrate Asarum splendens, the Chinese wild ginger, to emulate the seductive foliage patterns of tender Anthurium and Arum lilies; include Trachycarpus wagnerianus from the Japanese archipelago to construct focal points which mimic a Bahamas Sabal palm; and plant out drifts of luscious Canna to echo the striking elegance of Alpinias or Heliconias. Yet, lavish Canna cultivars originate predominantly in temperate zones, similarly to a myriad of comparable tropical species, and the motives behind this horticultural proliferation are invariably threefold – defined by economic lifestyles, outdoor trends and pure bliss derived from cultivating such broad foliage spectra rewardingly.

6

cycads

dorset courtyard haven

While Cycads began to evolve shortly after Ferns, around 300 million years ago, their prevalence within the natural world has considerably declined, whereas Ferns have been maintaining a flourishing presence alongside emergent Palm trees. With only 350 Cycad species identified to date, predominantly slow-growing, and carelessly undermined by intensive deforestation, the only good thing going for a Cycad these days is garden design adulation. Long-lived, sculptural and evocative of our primordial humble beginnings, Cycas revoluta, the King sago from Southern Japan, thrives when given ample shelter, adequate drainage and energising sunshine. Since the colossal warm-blooded reptiles which consumed Cycads fervently are long gone, replaced by more delicate domesticated creatures, do keep your pets safe and sound by avoiding contact with these poisonous, living statues.

cycadsforest-liketropics

7

tropics

architectural gardens

The Amazon rainforest's phenomenal energy nourishes the most ecologically biodiverse region on Planet Earth, sustaining nearly 30 percent of all known living species. While the world's largest online retailer bears the name of our planet's longest river, and continues to expand at unequivocal rate, the body of water and surrounding land named in its brand logo deteriorate irretrievably, alongside the poor sovereign state which governs them. Mankind's unsustainable way of life, plainly manifested in lack of fair cohesive education systems and mightily illogical economies, defines our consequential leadership shortfall, while exacerbated by prevailing intellectual ignorance.

climate change

When recurring drought devastates arable land and rainforests alike, we rush and bow to its destructive powers, and illogically modify our intents. While floods destroy vast communities and their protective afforested terrains indiscriminately, countless crowds rapidly succumb to water's inevitable course and hurry to alter aquatic strategies. This poignant, fragile reality denotes a global civilisation impenitently and chronically hindered by bureaucratic disparities which outweigh the much-needed responsibility to elucidate the causes and effects of climate change, while its current fragmentary blueprint required to manage our lives amid a future outcome remains unresolved.

eco-friendly mindset

A 250-year human carbon footprint had left an unbridgeable, unyielding sombre chasm. Contemporary garden design, as a pivotal discipline within landscape architecture, ought to diverge from patent insular philosophies which drastically hinder its role, and sustain a multitude of diverse, eco-friendly mindsets. At a time when genius loci takes entirely new connotations, portraying altered geographies, artificial intelligence and deprived communities, we should strive to represent the Tropics throughout our gardens for their immeasurable merits, while responsibly preserving and safeguarding their future.

8

jungled

planting design

Will Giles, who passed away at the age of 64 in late summer 2015, was an avid plant collector, artist, photographer, writer and above all, a self-taught contemporary master of tropical garden design. From his home and garden in Central Norwich, East Anglia, Mr Giles spent over three decades designing, experimenting and opening his exuberant exotic garden to the public, within a seemingly unexpected location. The success of his authentic, firsthand garden design story, and the audiences whose minds it inspired, express our ongoing fervour of skilfully crafted, multi-sensory, tropical garden landscapes.

jungle-like gardens

Will Giles's lifelong journey into urban jungly terrain endorses the inherent sculptural beauty, pertinence and biodiversity of tropical plant life, amid a prevalent garden design predisposition to produce increasingly sparse, low maintenance and drought-tolerant gardens. The liberating horticultural aspect, design creativity and invigorating luscious ambience of such a compelling gardening mindset ought to freely permeate overly gravelly strictness which encumbers diverse garden design disciplines en masse; not only to educate young ones, but also since sometimes, we'd just simply rather be jungled!

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9

burle marx

spirit of landscape design

The gardens of Roberto Burle Marx embody the freedom of a painter and thoughtfulness of a plant conservationist, amid sheer Brazilian exuberance and zest for life. Burle Marx's landscape canvases depict 20th-century abstract art, signified by prevalent European Minimalism and American Modernism, which wholly redefined architectural garden design, and endured their substance unwaveringly – permeating each and every universal aspect of modern life. From Copacabana's iconic seaside promenade in Rio de Janeiro to his sprawling rooftop garden reinventions softening government buildings, city centre revivals and honorary awards by every eminent, international design institute and botanical garden, Burle Marx's 60-year career remains unsurpassed in its pioneering vision, diverse canon and long-lasting legacy.

rainforest conservation

Burle Marx's Sitio de Santo Antonio da Bica signifies 35 years of rainforest conservation, leaving behind a legacy not only marked by 50 new plant species and thousands of paintings and gardens, but also by the ensuing diversified landscape disciplines as we know them nowadays. While for many of us, the Tropics' mystique imbues much-loved holiday and exploratory travel destinations, we owe it all to this one lovable man, who single-handedly reshaped our design approaches, while nurturing widespread perception and appreciation of the Tropics' enchanting beauty and crucial ecological balance.

10

perspective

sustainable gardens

Sustainability, at its best, refines a collective insight into our own existence as the sole species which fabricates unnatural resources to segregate itself within a discriminatory, non-renewable vacuum. Yet, in its most unideal state, renewability forms a myriad of scientific uncertainties, academic ambiguity and colossal social disparity. This 21st-century paradigm exists in constant unfavourable conditions, amid wide-ranging disbelief, educational misguidance and an innate human inability to step back and alter its rational thought process.

equatorial equilibrium

Landscape design forms the most expressive, tangible and valuable architectural multidiscipline, mitigating some of the generational gaps associated with our global energy conundrum by inherently promoting ethical design practices which endorse viable core solutions. While we customarily resort to water conservation as the be-all and end-all of sustainable modern living across disparate garden design scales, we dilute essential recollections of a once truly fluid, diverse landscape. The dismal inevitability of a drier, energy deprived future jeopardises the emblematic spirit of tropical garden design, when entire coastal landscapes marred with unsightly, albeit necessary, wind farms, and lush gardens compressed into spiky compartments cannot reconcile this earthly deficit – neither affectively, spiritually or subliminally.

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– coda –

Southern Tropic Energy

Tropical gardens effortlessly soften built geometries across both classic and modern architectural design layouts, while expressing our innate relationship, reliance upon and close affinity with the natural world. Our profound understanding of nature's organic and versatile process transcends the jungle ambiences of Amazonian rainforests, Caribbean archipelagos and Southeast Asian peninsulas to permeate every layer of ecological consciousness, botanical insight, personal outdoors and, undoubtedly, our very own garden design portfolio. Indeed, the Southern Tropic's immersive, mesmeric aura hovers a blissful terrestrial paradise, and evokes universal awareness of its vast ecosystem's decay, growth and renewal – a notion intrinsically preserved within a timeless tropical garden design ethos.

Tropical garden ideas - how to create a lush feel

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Design by Stone Lotus Landscapes

(Image credit: Creative Events Photography (@creative_events_photography))

You can't blame us for dreaming about tropical garden ideas. The thought of being surrounded by palms and oversized agave plants is enticing. Cocooned in a little world of giant leaves. Drink as tall as the afternoon is long. Perhaps the scent of bougainvillea. Certainly, the smell of vacations. Even if it's just the sunscreen.

And we're not alone in this fantasy. “Tropical forests have a sense of wonder and mystery about them,” notes the Miami-based architect Damir Sinovcic, principal of Miami-based Liquid Design and Architecture.

The lush abundance of a tropical garden instantly soothes the senses and offers escapism from the hustle and bustle. What's more, they are surprisingly versatile and offer up the potential for all sorts of garden rooms and creative solutions. And so, giving our modern garden ideas the feel of an island near the equator, here are just some of the possibilities.

Tropical garden ideas

1. Create a tropical oasis

(Image credit: Tamara Alvarez)

A lush tropical jungle that has been given free rein might feel a little overwhelming. So here, the Florida-based fine artist-turned-landscape architect Craig Reynolds has created a clearing. It creates a space to appreciate some “open views and layered, tropical winding paths,” explains his coordinator Tamara Alvarez. These “help create quiet, contemplative areas for relaxation.”

To create the dramatic path, Reynolds laid Chicago red bricks, and planted mature foxtail palms, Philodendron Burle Marx and Weeks Hybrid, placing orchids in the trees to give a bit of seasonal color, as they bloom annually.

Meanwhile, specimen Silver Alcantarea bromeliad and black bamboo bring extra color and texture to the space. “The bamboo also works for privacy as it helps to disguise the main entrance into the garden,” adds Tamara.

2. Introduce water features

(Image credit: Matthew Giampietro)

You might think you’d found paradise if you encountered a waterfall whilst walking through a tropical jungle. Well, the South Florida-based landscape architect and waterfall expert Matthew Giampietro regularly creates paradise for his private clients, and has designed and created more than 100 rock waterfall creations.

This Jacuzzi and water feature is located in the town of Lighthouse Point in South Florida. “Our goal was to enclose the entire backyard space with plants, and direct all of the attention onto the water feature,” Matthew explains, “so we planted dense layers of tropical vegetation surrounding the pool.”

He even created planting spaces in between the rocks, so that, he says, “The plants will creep and crawl throughout the entire water feature - this breaks up the amount of rocks visible which also helps to create a natural appearance.” No wonder this approach is one of the biggest garden trends we're seeing right now.

3. Apply a minimalist aesthetic

Design by Stone Lotus Landscapes

(Image credit: Creative Events Photography (@creative_events_photography))

Tropical gardens might not be your first thought when thinking of minimalist design. But the Australian landscape design firm Stone Lotus Landscapes has succeeded in creating a lush, verdant space, and at the same time a calm, understated sanctuary with clean lines and a fresh vibe in this Sydney home.

“To achieve this look,” says Stone Lotus's Jessica Cheng, “we stick with natural materials like limestone paving and natural hardwood.” Don’t be afraid to let timbers gray off, she advises. “It’s a fine balance between trying not to complicate it with too many layers and finishes, but also keeping it interesting.”

White, of course - “a lot of it” - definitely helps to keep things “fresh and minimal, and brings that coastal vibe”, says Jessica, even in an urban garden. “It also always makes the lush tropical foliage really pop.”

Her tropical garden ideas included lots of lush, broadleaf varieties, Bangalow palms and elephant ears, “to get that tropical Hamptons vibe,” she says.

4. Bring a sense of serenity with global art

(Image credit: Liquid Design & Architecture, Inc)

At this private garden in Miami, the architectural firm Liquid Design and Architecture , which specializes in luxury residential design, wanted to give the space a “layered and global feel”, says its principal, Damir Sinovcic.

“We drew inspiration from local sources, as well as faraway places, to create a garden that belongs in Miami, but is informed by global culture,” he says. The firm imported statues and outdoor furniture from Bali, Tibet, and India. Antique carved-wood figurines of court musicians came from Hindustan, India, and bronze Buddha hands from Bali, which were both converted into door hardware.

As we've seen when talking about Japanese garden ideas, there are ways to take inspiration from other countries that are sympathetic. We are keen to avoid suggesting cultural appropriation, but supporting artisans around the world is an endeavor we're keen on. These religious and cultural artifacts from other tropical zones appear to belong perfectly here, whilst also lending a transporting sense of another far-off world, and creating a space for contemplative serenity.

To achieve a verdant, tropical forest, they planted both native plants, such as the Bursera Simaruba and gumbo limbo trees, and non-native species, such as specimen Coconut palms, Bamboo, and Plumeria. “Heliconias, ferns and vines were also added to give the garden a densely planted, jungle-like feel,” Damir explains.

5. Create a lush sensory garden

(Image credit: Wambui Ippolito)

In this Nairobi garden, in the prestigious neighborhood of the old Lavington suburb, the New York City-based garden designer Wambui Ippolito has created a “soothing and dense ‘green garden’”.

It’s a space that Wambui, whose clients have included Martha Stewart and David Letterman, has brought to maturity over the years, in a purposely monochromatic way. In what is a largely shaded area, she used broad-leaved evergreen tropical plants to create “a very lush garden that does not need much maintenance”. And we are all about low maintenance gardens.

It is, she explains, “a garden focused on foliage texture as opposed to bright flowers - here, it is about soaking in green and not being distracted by color.” To build up the structure of the garden, Wambui’s foundational planting included Thaumatophyllum xanadu, Philodendron domestica, Monstera deliciosa and Cyperus papyrus.

It makes for a garden where nature reigns: “Nothing is jarring, frightening or off-balance,” Wambui says. “It’s a wonderful example of the type of garden that can be used for people with mental health issues and for neurodivergent children or adults.” A prime example of a sensory garden done well.

6. Create a space for outdoor dining

(Image credit: Tamara Alvarez)

This is actually a Chickee Hut, a Floridan wooden-framed structure with a roof thatched with palms.

“They’re the perfect location for dining alfresco or for respite from the hot Florida sun,” explains Tamara Alvarez, co-ordinator for Key West-based Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture . The floor of the chickee hut is coral stone; an oolite bridge creates the entrance to the outdoor dining area. Beyond, it is surrounded by an ample koi pond.

“To help create a cool and relaxing space, the hut is surrounded by an expansive plant collection including thatch palms and a variety of bromeliads,” Tamara explains. “Dwarf papyrus and water lilies help provide the natural cover and shade for the koi, and a cascading oolite fountain creates peaceful, white noise and also aerates the pond to keep it clean and clear.” A tropical take on how to choose plants for your modern garden.

7. Install an outdoor shower among tropical plants

Design by Stone Lotus Landscapes

(Image credit: Creative Events Photography (@creative_events_photography))

“We love outdoor showers,” says Jessica Cheng of the Australian landscape design firm Stone Lotus Landscapes. “Showers are such a versatile inclusion even if you don’t have a pool,” she adds. “You can use it if you’re coming back from the beach; kids like to play under them when it’s hot; and they’re great for cleaning dirty dogs (or kids) without taking the mess inside.”

In order to achieve this tropical escape in Sydney with a modern coastal resort look, as Jessica puts it, the Stone Lotus team planted “lots of lush broad leaf varieties such as elephant's ear, Bangalow Palms, Rhapis Palm and Ligularia”. Typically, showers are great for narrow gardens as they only need a space of about 2 square foot.

8. Create a natural staircase with rocks and vines

(Image credit: SHL Asia)

Tropical foliage is a perfect way to soften essential hardscaping. When the Bali-based architectural consultancy SHL Asia was tasked with designing the Natya Resort & Spa in Ubud, their chief challenge was navigating the steep valley on which the resort was to be built.

The solution was for the landscaping to follow the natural contours, and for the outdoor staircases to be made to look as naturalistic as possible. The retaining wall was clad in rocks that tonally matched the steps, making for a more organic, less jarring staircase.

Meanwhile, dangling red vines were trained to spill over the rocks to create an enchanting green tunnel for visitors en route to the site. Around the staircase were planted a range of tropical fruit trees and native plants commonly found in the surrounding area, including guava, banana, jackfruit and bilimbi, as well as highland trees and shrubs like fern trees and bird’s nest trees.

9. Add dark wood to the tropical vibe

(Image credit: ADD DARK WOOD TO THE TROPICAL VIBE “Dark wood tones reinforce the contemplative and jungle-like mood we set out to create in this project,” explains Damir Sinovcic of Liquid Design and Architecture. “They also provide an excellent contrast to the bright green foliage, and help distinguish the built environment from the natural.” The dark woods used here in this private Miami garden, which was once part of a subtropical coastal forest on a coral stone, enhances the cozy intimacy here, and is cohesive with the planting. The wooden gates are actually modified antique doors salvaged from a 19th century pioneer-era home in Miami and are constructed of locally grown Cypress. The wood decking and paths are made from stained and treated lumber, so that it is able to withstand constant contact with moist ground. “The rainy season in Florida spans from May to November so any wood used outside must be able to resist decay caused by constant exposure to water,” says Damir. Photo credit Liquid Design & Architecture, Inc)

“Dark wood tones reinforce the contemplative and jungle-like mood we set out to create in this project,” explains Damir Sinovcic of Liquid Design and Architecture . “They also provide an excellent contrast to the bright green foliage, and help distinguish the built environment from the natural.”

The dark woods used here in this private Miami garden, which was once part of a subtropical coastal forest on a coral stone, enhances the cozy intimacy here, and is cohesive with the planting.

The wooden gates are actually modified antique doors salvaged from a 19th century pioneer-era home in Miami and are constructed of locally grown Cypress. The wood decking and paths are made from stained and treated lumber, so that it is able to withstand constant contact with moist ground.

“The rainy season in Florida spans from May to November so any wood used outside must be able to resist decay caused by constant exposure to water,” says Damir.

10. Plant a micro jungle

(Image credit: North State Gardens)

How to create a sense of abundance in a small garden? The challenge that founder of North State Gardens Matthew Erwin faced was that the garden of this vacation home on Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, was a very small space surrounded with wooden fencing and neighboring houses close by.

“In a small space, every plant has to contribute something interesting: color, size, texture, flowers, and so on,” says Matthew. We've been focusing recently on plants to avoid in a small garden, and Matthew advises using layers of height. “And don't be afraid to use large plants like the Banana Tree in small spaces.”

And in order to break up the view of houses next door and provide some privacy, Matthew used a lot of interesting varieties and varying sizes, textures, and colors of foliage, as well as some tall palms - key plants included cabbage palms, red banana trees, upright elephant ear, and Royal Purple.

What plants do I need for a tropical garden?

The plants you need for a tropical garden depend on your environment, explains Damir Sinovcic, principal of Miami-based Liquid Design and Architecture. And “the specific habitat requirements of each plant”.

But for your foundation, you want strong evergreens, he says. “Tropical gardens are primarily foliage-driven so evergreen plants with big, showy leaves become the main focus. For pops of color, he recommends flowering plants such as Heliconias, Gingers, Banana Palms and Birds of Paradise, and for adding height, particularly in smaller spaces, consider Traveler Palms, Coconuts and Bamboo.

All is not lost if you don’t have the climate for a tropical garden. The award-winning landscape designer and author Jan Johnsen recommends large-leafed ‘White Lava’ elephant ears, which can handle a cooler climate.

“Planted en masse, these bold and striking foliage plants take center stage,” she says. She also recommends Canna Lilies, with their large colorful leaves and eye-catching flowers. “They love warm weather and sun but are somewhat tolerant of partial shade.”

If you don’t have the space for a tropical garden, you could just pot them for your doorstep.

Fleur Britten is a well-respected journalist who for years was the Senior Features Editor at Sunday Times Style. She is known as one of the smartest lifestyle journalists around, revered for being able to decode trends and report on new zeitgeists as they happen. She now writes for the Telegraph, Livingetc, Vogue, The Times, Harper's Bazaar and the Guardian.

Garden Houzz: Tropical garden in London - only 32 sqm

“Do the same for us, but with tropical plants,” neighbors asked landscape designer Antonia Schofield. "Why not?" the designer thought and agreed to repeat her successful project a little differently.

About the project
Location: East Dulwich, London, UK
Size: total yard garden area 32 sqm
Who lives here: married couple
Designed by: landscape designer Antonia Schofield
Photo: Antonia Schofield and Sarah Cutler