TROPICAL SPLENDOR – GARDEN GURU TIP

Tropical splendor for cold climates

With huge leaves and bright colours, tropical gardens have a unique and exciting look that is popular the world over. If you don’t live in a tropical area, however, you don’t have to despair. There are ways to achieve that tropical look even if you live in a place where it gets into the minuses during winter.

Here are some tips on how you can create that endless summer tropical look:

• Choose plants with large shiny leaves
• Cover every surface with vegetation
• Choose plants with big bright flowers
• Use fragrant plants strategically
• Colour clash with brightly coloured flowers and foliage

Here are some suggestions of plants that will help you to create that tropical lok even if you live in a cold area:

• Heuchera sanguinea or Coral Bells
• Hosta ventricosa or Plantain lily
• Strelitzia regina –Crane Flower
• Hibiscus varieties
• Zanthedechia aethiopica
• Alocasia species or Elephant’s Ears
• Phillodendron varieties or Delicious Monsters
• Rumohra adiantiformis or Leather Leaf Fern
• Dicksonia antartica or Artic Tree Fern
• Acanthus mollis or Wild Rhubarb
• Pennisetum rubrum or Purple Fountain Grass
• Coprosma varieties or Mirror Plants
• Dipladenia diamantina or Mandevilla
• Bougainvillea varieties
• Phormium varieties or New Zealand Flax

Whether you garden in the humid heat of the Lowveldt, in a gloomy courtyard in The middle of Sandton or on an exposed edge of the Karoo, you can take inspiration from tropical gardens. Then pull up a chair, pour yourself a fruity drink and let summer roll on in all its glory.

Join us this Friday 21 January for our FREE online workshop on ‘Tropical Splendor for Cold Climates’, with Garden Guru Sue Both.

Please use the following login details to join us at 11am sharp over Zoom:

Meeting ID:891 5242 3558

Passcode: 423071

or use the following direct link: https://bit.ly/3K6jIFL

If you have any gardening questions, feel free to contact your friendly Garden Guru – Sue Both at: sueb@gardenhop.co.za