Get your FREE quote today Click Here
A tropical garden design – yes, it can work in cooler climates – can look spectacular. If you fancy an exotic retreat in your garden, try bringing palms, ferns and other leafy delights into your outside area, and add extra interest with wooden surfaces, secluded zones and a water feature or two.
SALE 0 Sign In
PHOTOS
SHOP BY DEPARTMENT
FIND PROFESSIONALS
STORIES
ADVICE
SALE Outdoors Garden Design 7 Ways to Create a Tropical Garden
Go gorgeously green in your outdoor space by creating a tropical oasis with lush foliage
Amanda Pollard 24 July 2018 Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I’m a freelance journalist with more than 13 years’ experience… More Email SaveComment15Like42PrintEmbed Click “Embed” to display an article on your own website or blog. A tropical garden design – yes, it can work in cooler climates – can look spectacular. If you fancy an exotic retreat in your garden, try bringing palms, ferns and other leafy delights into your outside area, and add extra interest with wooden surfaces, secluded zones and a water feature or two. Tropical Patio by antonia schofield garden design antonia schofield garden design Make a big statement in a small space Don’t let a compact outdoor area cramp your style. Go large with your planting to create a small tropical garden with species such as the banana palm, seen on the right of this courtyard. The giant leaves are a generous feature that add depth and interest to the small space.
Tropical-style planting works particularly well in a seating area like this, as the dense greenery gives the area a cosy feel. Contemporary Garden by Garden Arts Garden Arts Include other details The plants are clearly the heroes in this garden of ferns and foliage, but the hard landscaping also plays a part. The pool of water, crossed by a trio of stepping stones, gives the whole space an exotic, serene feel.
The decked seating area on the other side of the water is surrounded by a dark wood fence and screened from the rest of the garden by those luminescent ferns.
Discover garden furniture in the Houzz Shop Contemporary Garden by CED Stone Group CED Stone Group Mix and match Keen to create an exotic feel without committing to one, all-over tropical garden design? Dot a few tropical species among your native plants to subtly introduce an exotic vibe.
In this contemporary garden, pretty florals such as agapanthus fill the space with colour, while a palm tree makes a statement in the corner of the lawn.
Plants such as palm trees and ferns have such striking foliage that it’s easy to make a statement with just one or two additions.
Need some expert help with your plans? Find garden designers and landscape architects in your area Tropical Garden by Fired Up Fired Up Be creative with decking Wooden decking looks beautiful next to luscious green planting and it also helps to create a calm oasis. Here, a terrace of pale wood is broken up with rectangular pools of water, which add to the tranquil feel.
When you’re planning an expanse like this, try to choose plants that tumble over the edges to soften the look of hard landscaping. Tropical Garden by antonia schofield garden design antonia schofield garden design Fill up a courtyard This cosy outdoor space is full to bursting with gorgeous greenery. Create interest by adding a variety of different plant styles, including some with delicate foliage and others with generous leaves.
The designers of this home have cleverly brought the outside in by positioning a couple of houseplants near the patio doors. By having greenery in both areas, the two zones merge into one beautiful, verdant space. Contemporary Terrace by Wickenden Hutley Wickenden Hutley Keep it simple Prefer a more minimal look? It’s possible to give your space a tropical feel by adding just a couple of statement container plants.
These palm trees are exotic enough to transform the look of this roof terrace, and to make the owner feel as if they’ve been transported from their urban neighbourhood to an exotic retreat.
Planning a seating area like this? Find a carpenter or joiner in your area Patio by Green Tree Garden Design Ltd Green Tree Garden Design Ltd Carve out a secret garden One of the best things about tropical plants is the size of the foliage. Large leaves help to create screens and divide spaces, so it makes sense to harness this in your garden.
Here, the designer has made the most of the planting to create secluded zones, reached by a foliage-framed pathway. Taller specimens, such as the fern tree, provide shade and add an enchanting, dappled light to the area.
Tell us… Are you a fan of tropical planting in the garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments section. Email SaveComment15Like42PrintEmbed Sponsored
Robert Gilmour Architects
Designing & Building Bespoke Homes Across Belfast What are you working on? Advice on living room layout/design Advice on living room layout/design 9 Industrial Style – What Image Pops Up First? Industrial Style – What Image Pops Up First? 13 See all Design Dilemmas People who liked this story also liked Why You Should Choose Large Plant Pots for a Small Garden Why You Should Choose Large Plant Pots for a Small Garden Full Story 8 Dreamy Water Feature Ideas for Any Size of Garden 8 Dreamy Water Feature Ideas for Any Size of Garden Full Story Garden Tour: A Shady City Plot Transformed With Lush Foliage Garden Tour: A Shady City Plot Transformed With Lush Foliage Full Story What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer? What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer? Full Story 10 Ways to Keep a Patio Looking Good All Summer 10 Ways to Keep a Patio Looking Good All Summer Full Story 9 Charming Ideas for Cottage-style Gardens 9 Charming Ideas for Cottage-style Gardens Full Story These Are the Elements You Need for the Perfect Hallway These Are the Elements You Need for the Perfect Hallway Full Story 8 Container Gardens That Prove You Don’t Need Flowerbeds 8 Container Gardens That Prove You Don’t Need Flowerbeds Full Story 11 Kitchen Storage Ideas that are Strangely Soothing 11 Kitchen Storage Ideas that are Strangely Soothing Full Story How to Pick the Perfect Shower Head How to Pick the Perfect Shower Head Full Story Sponsored
Robert Gilmour Architects
Designing & Building Bespoke Homes Across Belfast Comments (15) Showing 2 Languages See 12 more comments PRO The JOY of Blinds and Shutters Hi Amanda, I do love tropical gardens especially as the plants seem to need less maintenance than others, especially palms and ferns. On a recent walk I came across this ‘little garden’ (see photo) that had established itself in the sluice gate of a lock! Joy
13 Likes 25 July 2018 at 3:36pm
M J Isa - as JC and Lisa have stated try Fatsia Japonica. I’ve had one in my last three gardens and all have done well. Two I planted were in shade and did well, but in my latest house, one was planted in the front of a South facing garden and it too is doing really well. I’ve grown two from seed and am currently growing another half dozen from seed as I want to make my current garden more tropical. They seem very hardy and very easy to grow. If you know anyone with a Fatsia ask for some seeds and it will be really satisfying for you to grow a few from scratch. They grow really quickly.
6 Likes 28 July 2018 at 8:17pm
Pam Hill If you follow the advice above, and grow Fatsias, collect seed to grow new plants. They outgrow their space quickly, and do not take well to pruning. So plan a succession and replace them every few years.
1 Like 12 August 2018 at 11:56am Sign Up to Comment Related Stories Why You Should Choose Large Plant Pots for a Small Garden MOST POPULAR Why You Should Choose Large Plant Pots for a Small Garden By Victoria Harrison See how oversized planters can transform a tiny garden by adding drama, height and style Full Story 23 8 Dreamy Water Feature Ideas for Any Size of Garden GARDEN DESIGN 8 Dreamy Water Feature Ideas for Any Size of Garden By Amanda Pollard Whether a sleek, modern rill or a leafy cascade pleases your senses, there’s a water feature for every style of garden Full Story 17 Garden Tour: A Shady City Plot Transformed With Lush Foliage GARDEN TOURS Garden Tour: A Shady City Plot Transformed With Lush Foliage By Sarah Warwick Evergreen architectural plants and bold features make this urban garden feel secluded, spacious and stylish Full Story 22 What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer? MOST POPULAR What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer? By Victoria Harrison If you’re considering calling in the experts to get your outside space in order, here’s what to expect from the process Full Story 22 10 Ways to Keep a Patio Looking Good All Summer OUTDOOR LIVING 10 Ways to Keep a Patio Looking Good All Summer By Julie Butterworth The hotter months can exhaust an outdoor space, so perk it up with a little trick or two Full Story 8 9 Charming Ideas for Cottage-style Gardens GARDEN DESIGN 9 Charming Ideas for Cottage-style Gardens By Cheryl Freedman Choose this classic free-flowing English garden style and create a fairytale retreat Full Story 9 These Are the Elements You Need for the Perfect Hallway MOST POPULAR These Are the Elements Read more at link below.