Tropical Gardening

[katey]

Anyone been tempted into tropical gardening?

I have a Fern, two Tracycarpus fortunei palms...very hardy.

A Pine tree from Scotland so its very hardy. They like the dry/moist.

[Tig]

I have a trachycarpus fortunei, but it is in a large container and I think I will have to move it to a more sheltered spot for the winter. I also have four washingtonia robusta, they were rescued from Wilkinsons, all in one pot, so I split them up. Kept them in a plastic growhouse over last winter and they are doing fine. I grow aeonium zwartkop in a pot, that stays on the front porch over winter. Quite a few of us grow colocasia esculenta (again in pots, which go out for the summer months). Over the years I've had a go with lots of tropical plants, most cannot stay outside over winter here due to hard frosts and I have limited space to keep things in a frost free environment so just stick with what I know grows.

What do you consider 'tropical' katey? (welcome to GWD btw )

[katey]

Hi Tig,

I call tropicals what you and I have, but you have more.

Your way past me for Tropicals mine being just a small garden. That must have been quite a bargain at Wilkos, lucky you.

Aeonium zwartkop; I killed one of those I thought they needed heat in winter so I put it under the radiator...........HAHAHAHA!!

Fortunei is quite safe outdoors, don't even cover it unless we get 2010 frosts which were pretty cruel. Its better in the ground.

This is a desktop from a forum I go to.

Your Washingtonia;

Origin: Northern Mexico
Genus: Washingtonia
Species: robusta
Common Name: Mexican Fan palm, Sky Duster
Situation: Full sun, well-drained soil
Eventual height in the UK: 4-5m
Eventual spread: 2-3m
Hardiness: to -5C or lower

Thanks for the welcome Tig!



A winters Day for the Trachycarpus fortunei. Not my file.

[Tig]

The trachycarpus would be better off in the ground you are right there, however my garden is already a bit tight for space (understatement ) I think it will just be moved to the front porch for winter, and the washingtonia robustas will still just about fit in the bottom of one of the plastic growhouses, if they survive the winter next year may be a bit more of a problem. I was told they were likely to only grow one frond this year - but no-one told them that, they have put out at least two, some are getting a third.

I have grown Beschorneria Septentrionalis from seed this year, they look quite 'tropical', I have a variegated yucca in one of the borders which has survived a few winters so far, and a couple of aloes which are also overwintered in a plastic growhouse.

[katey]

I forgot I bought a Yucca linearis in the summer and a new Trachycarpus f. I wanted a new Fern but at £50.00 it will be next season.

I know what you mean about room being at a premium, mine is just a small garden too.




Have a great night Tig.

[andy]

Hi Katey....i love the hardy exotics. Among some others to think about are some of the hardy bananas, a heavily pollarded Catalpa bignonoides 'aurea', some of the Phormiums as well as Cordylines, some grasses and bamboos, Chamaerops humilis does well in a pot.

Also think about Cannas, tuberous Begonias, Brugmansias, Gunnera can give a good display in tubs, Oleander, Callistemon, some of the Gingers can be awesome, Fatsia Japonica.

I did this a few years ago...the area was 12' x 12'

[katey]

Hi Andy, that Ensete look great, good size too. I bought one last year but only used it for bedding then recycled due to nowhere to keep it frost free.

I have three Basjoos in the garden one has a pup, first pup this year.

They are all nice plants and your border looks full to bursting with tropicals..........

[andy]

I have some basjoo's too, they seem to grow like weeds for me. No border there either.....all in pots.