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Tropical plant gardens


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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Best tropical plants: 24 top picks to give your plot an exotic look

(Image credit: Dobbies)

Choosing the best tropical plants makes creating a lush, green garden sanctuary achievable even in cooler climes. Large, bold leaves, rich colors and interestingly shaped flowers are the hallmarks of this style of planting. 

There are a few easy rules to follow for making a tropical-inspired garden. Blend a mix of shapes and sizes to create a jungle feel, layering the foliage to achieve a luxuriant effect. Choose plants with flowers in bold, exotic colors such as hot orange, purples and almost-black. 

Another trick for achieving authentic looking tropical garden ideas is to pack plants close together to mimic the way they would grow in a natural setting. Restricting the space they grow in should mean that they will not overwhelm each other. 

Opt for a mix of leaf shapes and sizes, including some long, strappy leaves, plus paddle-shaped and round ones. Plants with contrasting foliage color work well, and select some with big, bright blooms. Raised beds planted up with the best tropical plants is also an effective way of creating a leafy enclave, as the added height creates the effect of a canopy of green.

The best tropical plants: 24 picks for gardens big or small

Ready to introduce some of the best tropical plants to your plot? Whether you have a compact courtyard or a spacious backyard, you'll find plenty to choose from in our selection. 

1. Canna

Canna 'Yellow King Humbert'

(Image credit: Clive Nichols/Getty Images)

With stunning flowers in hot colors, cannas are a top choice for the best tropical plants. Choose from sizzling orange, punchy pinks and red on huge architectural leaves. 

They add height (up to 5ft/1.5m) and drama to garden borders, and they’re easy to grow. Plant the rhizomes in late spring (April or May) in a sunny, sheltered position and keep watered. They will then flower from June to September. 

Cannas dislike cold winters, so lift the rhizomes and store somewhere dry and frost-free and replant the next year. In warmer regions, they can be left in the ground with a thick mulch of composted bark to keep them warm.  You'll find more info on mulching in our guide. 

Try Canna ‘Durban’ for hot orange blooms, and ‘Tropicanna Gold’ which has enormous black/bronze leaves and gold flowers. 

2. Fatsia Japonica

(Image credit: DigiPub/Getty Images)

One of the simplest to grow of the best tropical plants, fatsia japonica are perfect for adding an instant jungle vibe to your small garden ideas. 

These plants are grown for their large shapely leaves which stay green all year round. They thrive in shady, sheltered spots and dry soil, though they will need to be watered once a week in the summer. They will also be happy in a pot if you're keen to include them in your container gardening ideas, but they can grow up to 13ft (4m) in height and width, so make sure it’s a roomy one. 

3. Phormium tenax

(Image credit: Studio 75/Alamy)

Arching, strappy evergreen leaves define this large plant, also known as New Zealand flax. It provides year-round interest and structure, and in hot summers, it will produce tall stems of red flowers.  

They are hardy plants, and can survive frosts, but if a particularly fierce winter storm is forecast, wrap in some horticultural fleece as a precaution. 

There's more tips on how to protect plants from frost in our guide. 

4. Black bamboo

(Image credit: Zena Elea/Alamy Stock Photo)

The slim, polished black canes of Phyllostachys Nigra make a beautiful contrast with its fresh green leaves. Perfect for creating a living screen or for boosting your garden privacy ideas, bamboos also help to absorb sound from noisy roads and neighbors. 

Black bamboo is hardy, so no winter protection is needed. Just plant in moist soil, in full sun or part shade, and water regularly until it is established. It does spread but is not as rampant as some varieties of bamboo. 

There's more tips on how to grow bamboo in our dedicated guide. 

5. Tree fern

(Image credit: Will Perrett/Alamy)

If you love the tropical look, it does not get much better than a tree fern. They are more of an investment than other options on our list of best tropical plants and they do need special care, but you'll be rewarded with a stunning garden feature. 

They are best planted in moist soil in sheltered, dappled shade, so they are also a good choice for shade garden ideas. Make sure you leave plenty of space, as the fronds can grow to 6.5ft (2m) long. Mist the crown and trunk regularly, and regularly add a diluted seaweed-based feed. 

In winter, the trunk and the crown need protecting from cold temperatures with fleece. Some gardeners also advise adding a thick layer of straw to cover the tree crown as an added measure in colder climates.

6. Musa Basjoo (banana palm)

(Image credit: Oleksandr Sokolenko/Alamy)

Exotic and dramatic, it's easy to see why this plant makes our list of the best tropical plants. They have huge, purple-green paddle shaped leaves on a sturdy stem and grow up to 8ft (2.5m) tall. 

Although they look as if they would be tender, they can happily survive in the UK or similar climates with only precautionary fleecing in very cold snaps. The foliage will die back after frosts. Just cut the plant down to ground level and it should sprout again in late spring. For best results and to encourage healthy growth, feed monthly with an all-purpose soluble plant food.

7. Cordyline

Cordyline fruticosa

(Image credit: Torri Photo/Getty Images)

With textural, spiky leaves in greens and purples, this palm-like small tree is evergreen, and it will thrive in a pot. Young ones may need some winter protection, so do bear this in mind during cooler spells of weather. 

They typically grow up to 10ft (3m) tall, making them an ideal feature for contemporary courtyard gardens, or they look equally at home as a striking addition to modern decking ideas. 

8. Ginger lily

Ginger lily 'Assam Orange' 

(Image credit: Alexandra Glen/Alamy)

Also known as Hedychium densiflorum, these large-leafed plants will produce tall spikes of fragrant flowers in exotic orange and they grow up to 6. 5ft (2m) tall. In a border, plant in groups in moist soil to create a fabulous focal point. Mulch over winter. 

They will also thrive in garden planters, and this means you can easily move them to a sheltered spot after the first frosts. 

9. Aeonium 

Aeonium arboreum (Schwarzkopf) 

(Image credit: Howard Pugh/Getty Images)

Looking for something with a touch of drama for your best tropical plants? Beautifully shaped rosettes of fleshy leaves on branching stems make aeoniums a great choice, particularly as some varieties are purple-black which gives them a really exotic appearance. 

They need a sunny spot to maintain the dark color, and should be planted in gritty, well-drained soil. Not sure about what sort of soil you have in your garden? Our guide to soil types explains what you need to know. 

Aeoniums won’t survive freezing temperatures, so grow them in a pot, and move them inside for the winter months if you live in a cool climate. A north-facing kitchen window ledge or a conservatory is ideal for them. Allow the soil to dry out before watering in the colder months, or they may rot.

10. Bird of paradise

(Image credit: Jenny Dettrick/Getty Images)

When it comes to the best tropical plants, there can surely be few more stunning than the Bird of Paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae. Native to South Africa, it has striking bright blue and vibrant orange flowers that resemble the profile of an exotic bird. 

They grow best in well drained soil and need plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures to guarantee the best blooms. They will do well when planted in garden borders in warmer climates such as USDA zones 9 to 12 (they will produce flowers all year in tropical or sub-tropical climates), but you can also try growing them outdoors in containers in slightly cooler zones (such as the UK) over summer.  

In these cooler areas, you will need to being them indoors over autumn and winter to protect them from the colder temperatures. Growing them in pots makes this an easier task as they can easily become part of your indoor garden ideas too. Keep them indoors, ideally in a bright, light spot such as a south-facing room, until the risk of any frosts has completely passed. 

Do bear in mind that this plant can be toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. You can find out more of the most poisonous plants for dogs and plants that are poisonous to cats in our guides. 

11. Pineapple flower

(Image credit: Alamy)

These intriguing flower spikes are studded with tiny flowers. They're topped by a tuft of leaves, which adds to their interesting shape and look. 

Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ has dark purple leaves and tall stems for added impact. Plant them from April-May, and they will grow to a maximum height of around 30in (75cm). These plants are also borderline hardy. 

12. Peacock tiger flower

(Image credit: Alamy)

The attention-grabbing Tigridia pavonia from Mexico is a striking option for the best tropical plants as it comes in bright shades that pop up on slender leaves from small bulbs.  

The peacock tiger flower is an exotic Mexican corm with three-petalled summer blooms in bold, bright colors. In milder areas it can stay in the ground all year; elsewhere it should be grown in a pot that’s overwintered indoors.

13. Crown imperial

(Image credit: Alamy)

The stems of these tropical plants grow up to 5ft (1.5m) and bear striking orange flowers with white anthers. 

This very hardy crown imperial variety blooms in early summer. Do bear in mind that the bulbs will need very well drained soil – consider digging in some grit when planting – and plenty of sun.

14. Byzantine gladiolus

(Image credit: Alamy)

Early summer sees spikes of elegant magenta flowers that will add interest to any space. Corms are inexpensive and perfect for edging borders, but they work equally well when planted as part of a wildflower meadow. 

Look for G. communis subsp. Byzantinus in autumn. Grows up to 23in (60cm) in height.

15.

Chusan palm

(Image credit: Getty)

Want one of the best tropical plants that can deal with lower temperatures? Trachycarpus fortunei or Chusan Palm is the one for you as it's capable of dealing with temperatures down to -4˚F (-20°C). 

It forms a mass of 3ft (90cm) wide, fan-shaped leaves on stalks that emerge from the top of a stout trunk. A more compact species is Trachycarpus fortunei x wagnerianus, which is ideal for small gardens.

16. Dwarf fan palm

(Image credit: Alamy)

This dwarf fan palm is a slow-growing species that can reach 6ft (1.8m). It is fairly bushy while young, forming a distinct trunk as it matures. 

Tolerant of exposed plots, it will grow best in semi-shade. Make sure you feed and water it well and cut off any spotty leaves. 

17. Cardinal climber

(Image credit: Alamy)

This is a type of annual ipomoea native to tropical America. It bears small, bright red trumpets against feathery leaves and will bloom throughout summer. The flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds and other pollinators too. 

Sow in poor, well-drained soil in full sun from May-July. It grows up to 13ft (4m) in height, and is a great option if you're looking for something to grow up your garden fence or over a garden arbor. 

18. Trumpet vine

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Trumpet vine, also known as Campsis radicans, is vigorous and self-clinging. This woody climber needs plenty of space to grow, so it's more suitable for including in large gardens. 

Its standout feature is the numerous clusters of bright orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers (hence the common name trumpet vine), each over 3in (8cm) long. 

Best grown against a sunny garden wall to offer it some protection from cold winds, it will happily cling to the brick or stone wall to aid its growth. It flowers from late summer into autumn, typically July to September. 

19. Cobaea scandens

(Image credit: Alamy)

Cobaea scandens is a vigorous tropical annual that loves heat. It's a half-hardy perennial that easily climbs trellis by tendrils at the ends of the leaves. 

Large purple (or slightly greenish white) bell-like flowers open all summer, twining over a large area of wall or fence. Sow seed early and pinch out the growing tip for bushy plants. Pollinated by bats, it will flower from July until the first light frost of the year. 

20. Clematis armandii

(Image credit: Alamy)

This Chinese native is a luxuriant climber, whose richly fragrant ivory or pink tinged blooms open in spring against a backdrop of older leaves and a swarm of new shoots. Reaches 10-15ft (3-5m) and is hardy in most areas.

You'll find plenty of advice on how to grow clematis in our expert guide. 

21. Passion flower

(Image credit: Getty images)

Passifloras are one of the best climbing plants and will jazz up any wall or fence with exotic, eye-catching flowers from July to September. Orange fruits follow the flowers to give you added interest once the blooms have faded. Passiflora caerulea is the variety most often found in garden centers. 

Best grown in a sheltered spot on a sunny wall as this can be a delicate plant. Make sure it has some protection from cold winds. It will also grow well in a container. 

It grows up to 32ft (10m), and in cold areas of the UK it can be semi-evergreen. 

22. Chilean glory flower

(Image credit: Future)

Eccremocarpus scaber, also known as the Chilean glory flower, is a slender climber that is smothered in pinky orange, tubular flowers from June to the first frosts. 

In a sheltered spot in a mild garden it may be perennial; otherwise treat it as an annual. 

23. Akebia quinata

(Image credit: Getty images)

If you're a fan of dark-toned flowers for your garden color scheme, then make sure you include this option in your selection of the best tropical plants. Semi-evergreen chocolate vine gets its name from the beautiful maroon-chocolate flowers. Produced in spring, they have a spicy vanilla scent.  

The five-lobed leaves are bright green and, during warm summers, purplish sausage shaped fruits may form. It flowers from April to May.  

24. Begonias

(Image credit: DT Browns)

Tropical-looking begonias are super for hanging basket ideas hung from a branch of a tree. ‘Santa Cruz’ from DT Brown produces cascades of fiery flowers, and are available as plugs to plant in June. Trails to around 15in (40cm). 

How often do tropical plants need watering? 

Tropical-style show garden at RHS Show Tatton Park

(Image credit: Ian Lamond/Alamy)

Plants with large leaves tend to need watering more frequently than those with smaller ones. If your best tropical plants are in pots or grown as part of your raised garden bed ideas, you need to water if you can push your finger into the soil and it feels dry all the way down. You will need to be watering plants frequently during hot spells, except for succulents, which have water-retaining leaves.  

What is the easiest tropical plant to grow? 

Calla lily

(Image credit: Michele Thulborn/Chapman/EyeEm/Getty Images)

Calla lilies are one of the easiest options for a beginner. These striking flowers grow from inexpensive bulbs and are reliable performers. It is just a matter of digging a hole, planting the bulb and letting nature do the rest. 

Looking for more of the best plants for beginners? Our guide is a great place to start your search. 

Which tropical plants are fast growing? 

(Image credit: Dobbies)

According to plant expert and designer Laura Heybrook of Dale & Heybrook , the Japanese banana plant (musa basjoo) is a rapid grower. 'It will grow a mile a minute when it is happy,' she says. A small plant can reach 3m tall in 3 years. These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun or part shade. When planting, dig in plenty of well-rotted compost to boost growth and feed them regularly.  

Will tropical plants survive outdoors in winter? 

(Image credit: Dobbies)

Not all of the best tropical plants are needy, but some do require extra care and attention. Tree ferns, cannas and banana plants will need protection to survive cold, wet winters, but there are other hardy plants such as bamboo, which can happily survive unaided. The trick is to mix them up, so that looking after your tropical patch is not too labour intensive.

'For some tropical plants, you will need either a frost-free greenhouse to store them in, or some horticultural fleece to wrap them in over winter,' says Laura Heybrook. 

Laura also has a top tip for a trouble-free tropical look for your flowerbed ideas. 'Blend in some frost-hardy plants such as fatsia japonica, bamboos and an evergreen magnolia, with one or two favorite tender plants which need extra care, such as a banana palm or some cannas,' she advises. 'That way, when winter comes, you won’t be looking out at a garden full of fleece-covered plants. '

An experienced freelance journalist, editor and columnist writing for national magazines and websites, Fiona now specialises in gardens. She enjoys finding and writing about all kinds, from the tiniest town plots to impressively designed ones in grand country houses. 

Tropical plants for winter gardens


It should be noted that the winter garden is characterized by year-round decoration. In this way, winter gardens differ from greenhouses and greenhouses. In this type of environmental design, the word "garden" is present, as a component of the human dwelling, which plays an important role for it. Therefore, it is worth noting that a winter garden is an environmentally friendly closed space, often attached to a house, the main purpose of which is to create an environment for people to relax with the help of plants.

nine0006 Designing a winter garden is a lot of work that requires thinking through the smallest details. Therefore, it is worth preparing in advance for all the difficulties that may arise when choosing the type of garden, style and its components.

Content

Registration rules

When you have already decided on the additional purpose of your winter garden, it's time for the most creative part - the design of the winter garden. This stage is interesting, but it is worth noting that it is also the most difficult. Depending on the arrangement, a garden room can bring completely different emotions to its owners. nine0007

The art of designing a winter garden is taught by specialists at universities and courses. But, having the proper desire and ability to learn on your own, you can comprehend all the basics yourself if you carefully read special literature and study the meaning of the most important terms.

Single compositions

In professional language, a single composition is called a "solitaire" (do not confuse with "solitaire"). The tapeworm is often used in gardens as a bright single element among a monophonic composition. If we move away from the winter garden, then the most striking representative of the tapeworm will be a tree located alone on a meadow surface. Or vegetation that stands out among a single tone with an unusual trunk shape, leaf color, or any other element. nine0007

What are single compositions used for? They are a strong note in design, they attract attention. The tapeworm can be used at times when the bulk of the plants are in a non-decorative state.

When the design of the winter garden includes the presence of a tapeworm, you should pay attention to these winter flowers (photo):

ficus
creepers

variegated plants
Single composition "solitaire"

For a garden, however, a pair of tapeworms is not enough to be called a garden. Therefore, do not forget about group plantings, which are compositions of different colors that are brought together for some reason. nine0007

To create a small group composition, use four to twelve elements (nine ideally). Moreover, it is worth choosing plants for the winter garden so that they require the same temperature, humidity level and irrigation system.

The composition consists of three levels, on which the elements of the composition are located. In the foreground (level one) it is worth placing flowers that are small in size and the most decorative. Often they are small flowering plants. In the background, it is better to plant large crops that will create a background for the foreground. nine0007

It will be useful to read:

Ampelous flowers in pots and flowerpots
Flowers are a delightful creation of nature, capable of becoming an adornment of any home and garden. It is clear that ...

Vertical gardening

This type of landscaping is great for small spaces because it doesn't take up much horizontal space. But this does not mean that green walls cannot be used in spacious rooms. Thus, the walls of wicker green living compositions perfectly divide the room into several zones. nine0007

Climbing species are excellent for creating a vertical composition, which can be planted near a support to be braided or on nets. For such landscaping, all kinds of ivy, creepers, grapes, climbing roses are perfect. You just need to decide on the size and shape of the leaves, as well as focus on flowers or abandon them in favor of decorative leaves.

However, such walls are not the only way to create a composition of vertical gardening. So, in addition to climbing species, you can hang flower pots with ampelous flowers at different levels or even use a wall for arranging pots. The most original version of a green wall can be a wall with thick moss growing on it. Very often, a similar idea is used in rest rooms or in green cafes. nine0007

Color

Of course, when you create a phytocomposition, first of all you focus on your favorite, as well as the brightest plants. Because of this, the composition may look too saturated, which interferes with its contemplation. This type of composition can tire the garden owner or guests.

Therefore, you should pay attention to the color component. The best type of winter garden composition will be small winter flowers with variegated leaves of an unusual shape that will stand out against the background of calm green plants. Thus, by playing on their contrast, you can highlight the most beautiful aspects of the plant, which will only emphasize the attractiveness of your garden. nine0007

Form

If you prefer a group composition, do not forget about the form of landing. The composition will be considered complete only when its external component leaves a feeling of harmony in contemplation. And for this it is worth remembering that the composition is based on the principles of consonance and contrast.

Consonant is a combination where different plants use some common element, enhancing its sound. It can be a single leaf shape or haircut, the same color or size of plants. By arranging the consonant elements of the composition in its different parts, you emphasize its commonality, uniting it according to various criteria. nine0007

But it is the principle of contrast that attracts the eye to the composition, when plants, completely different, coexist in one area. It can be a combination of tall upright plants and small spreading ones. Of modest non-blooming ones and bright flowers of others. Playing on such contrasts, you use one element to emphasize the meaning of another, thereby enhancing the overall sound of the composition.

It will be useful to read:

Secrets of caring for wisteria
Anyone who first saw blooming wisteria for a long time cannot believe that he is in front of a living plant. Long Floral ...

Background

The background for a flower arrangement is as important a detail as the rest. It is due to the background that the composition acquires its finished look. The background can be, for example, the third level of the composition, if you create a kind of background from ampelous plants, weaving plants or green walls. But here it is also worth evaluating how the background will fit into the environment. Do not stop your choice exclusively on plants. For the background, coatings made from natural materials are also great: wood and stone. Also, for the compositions, it will not be superfluous to use decorative lamps and accessories of non-plant origin. nine0007

Some types of crops have long been the most striking examples of plants for the winter garden. Also, these plants often flash in offices.

washingtonia filamentata
Vriesia brilliant

Garden styles

Japanese Garden

Modesty and beauty are the main concepts of small Japanese gardens. Their size is due to the fact that in ancient times, Japanese estates had a very small territory. Therefore, even the nobles could not afford large gardens (as in China). When we talk about a Japanese garden, we mean two categories of gardens that are both similar and different:

First of all, Japanese gardens are built on the rules of geometry. They are dominated by regular lines, both rectangular and square, and rounded. However, there is also the randomness of nature in the arrangement of plants.

Japanese Garden

Water and stones are the basis of Japanese phytodesign, because they represent yin and yang, man and woman, light and darkness. Such gardens are characterized by the use of both a smooth surface of water or river pebbles, depicting water underneath, and tall stones, representing towering rocks. Plants are mostly used low. Bamboo and products made from it are very common. Usually, the Japanese use all kinds of lanterns or sculptural images of their idols and spirits, which are present in Shinto, to decorate the garden. nine0007

And, of course, no Japanese garden can do without bonsai. Bonsai is a special Japanese art that allows you to grow a tree in miniature the way it would look in the wild if it grew by itself.

What plants are used in Japanese-style winter gardens? Here are only the most popular winter flowers (photo):

Arundinaria
Hibiscus

Desert Garden

Desert gardens are not so popular, but they have their own charm. Creating a real desert plot in your winter garden is an original idea that is rarely seen by anyone. It is worth noting that for the arrangement of such a place it is not at all necessary to use part of the room for a sandbox. Desert plants will do just fine without it. Speaking of such plants, we mean succulents. Succulents come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors. Some of them are in bloom, and some are very decorative themselves. These are all kinds of cacti, aloe, crassula and other plants, with fleshy leaves, thorns or even beautiful flowers. nine0007

In a desert garden, you can also use decorative elements in the form of stone sculptures or even artificial animal skeletons. This can create an additional desert atmosphere.

Tropical Garden

Tropical garden

This is one of the most popular types of winter gardens, which dates back to the Baroque era. The use of tropical plants allows you to create a real oasis in the house, a paradise on earth. Because every tropical plant is very decorative. Beautiful flowering plants towering above a person create a fabulous mood and allow you to retire behind spreading crowns. nine0007

However, such a garden requires not only careful care of the plants, but also maintaining a comfortable temperature and humidity level for them, as well as the mandatory control of diseased plants. But among tropical plants, you can perfectly place recreation areas, artificial ponds, and fountains.

What tropical plants are suitable for creating such a garden?

Alocasia
Calathea striped

Subtropics

The difference between tropical and subtropical plants is that subtropical gardens are more often dominated by citrus plants. Subtropical plants are also all kinds of palm trees, cacti and succulents. They are less decorative in terms of flowers, unlike plants in the tropics, but they require less in terms of keeping warm. Sometimes subtropical plants even require a slight decrease in temperature in order, for example, to begin to bear fruit or bloom.

Plants of this type for the winter garden are very easy to pick up. Many of them you already know:

Citron
Livistona chinensis

Rocky slides

Rocky hills are used in all landscape styles, no matter what plants live in them. Most often, these are small hills made of gravel, granite, shell rock or other materials, folded into slides. However, it is worth noting that the rock from which the element of the composition will be complex must be of natural shape, without smooth edges. With the help of a rocky slide, you can make a separate flower arrangement from plants that will grow in a cascade. Both flowering plants and decorative deciduous plants, which completely cover the allotted area, look equally beautiful on rocky hills. nine0007

Soil in the winter garden


When the plants are selected, all that remains is to plant them in containers and arrange compositions so that the garden can begin to receive its guests and delight the eyes of the owners. But in what soil should plants be planted?

To begin with, it is worth noting that different plants for the winter garden need different types of soil. To do this, you need to find out for each plant separately what type of soil it needs.

Proper watering is a very important condition for successful tropical gardening. In this case, the rule works: it is better to underfill than overfill. The soil contains much more moisture than it seems at first glance. Even growing in a humid tropical jungle, plants do not like stagnant water. On the contrary, they prefer to settle with their roots in a loose substrate rich in fallen leaves and light organic matter. Therefore, it is necessary to provide such plants with good drainage. nine0007

Tropical plants of Africa and Asia may die if they are subjected to prolonged (3-4 days) cooling - below +5ºС. At temperatures below +13ºС, the growth and development of these plants stops. Gardens with tropical plants require high humidity (80-90%). Many tropical species need light more than all others, because in natural conditions they receive decent portions of the tropical sun all year round. Therefore, the motto of tropical plants: "the more light, the better." It is only necessary to introduce an amendment for shade-loving species and avoid direct sunlight: they can be filtered. But even the term "shade-loving" should not be taken literally, this does not mean that the plant will be happy in semi-darkness, there should always be a lot of light - the difference is only in direct or filtered rays. nine0007

Tropical plants mostly have large, decorative leaves of bright, bizarre color and shape. Tropical forest compositions are lush groups of plants arranged according to plant height, leaf color and shape. The texture of the leaves also plays an important role in creating the composition of plants in a tropical winter garden - from the glossy shiny leaves of monstera to the velvety shimmering leaves of anthurium crystal and dieffenbachia.

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