FOUR PLANTS THAT WILL TRANSFORM ANY GARDEN INTO A TROPICAL PARADISE

I can’t believe that September is halfway over.  It certainly still feels like summer here in the urban jungle.

Although summer is almost over, I wanted to break down my must have plants for creating a tropical feel.  If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you may be approaching Spring planting season!

When I was planting out the Urban Jungle, the number one thing I considered is how I wanted the space to feel.

I wanted a space that draws you in with dramatic foliage.  I wanted there to be a sensuality to it.  

I grew up with a dad and grandfather who were both a little wacky about their elephant ears,, so naturally I followed in their footsteps.  I planted giant COLOCASIA

I put about 30 bulbs that I bought at Home Depot all along the north facing foundation of my house.  It is a location that doesn't get a lot of sun.  Elephant ears need shade.  They also need a ton of water, so take that into consideration if you live in a place that is on the drier side.  I water these by hand daily and the water bill definitely reflects it.  Look at how HUGE they are!

The next foundation plant in the garden is the MUSA BASJOO.  Sounds like a rapper, looks like a banana tree, survives winter like a holly bush!

I planted three of the cold hardy bananas along the fence.  They were tiny babies, and now they are much taller than me!  Definitely a great plant for colder climates (down to zone 6) to bring in the topics!  I am looking forward to seeing how these do in year 2.

The Elephant Ear type plants in the foreground on the left and right side are both ALOCASIA species. 

Also called upright elephant ears.  The Alocasia California on the right grow shorter and have a nice spread.  I bought these at Home Depot in the houseplant section.  The larger Alocasia on the right is a bulb that I planted from Calloway's.  The species wasn't labeled, but it is much larger and probably one of my favorite plants (yes, I do play favorites!).

The lower and more upright banana type foliage is of course, CANNA LILY.

I grow Cannas in rows on each side of this pathway to fill in because they grow and multiply quickly.  You can find them in many different varieties.  Foliage ranges from green, to yellow, to rust.  Many have interesting varigation patterns on the leaves.  I grow these mainly for the foliage, but the pretty flowers bloom all summer long and add a pop of color to an otherwise very verdant space.

I'm not exactly looking forward to autumn.  I know that once the temperatures start to dip the plants will eventually die back.

I'll just be over here still pretending that it's summer.  The best part is that all of these plants are considered cold hardy perinneals with a good  winter mulching, even here in Dallas where winter temps often dip into the low 20's.  Next year this should all come back.  Hopefully even bigger and better.  If you live north of zone 8, the Musa Basjoo and Canna Lily may still come back after winter.  Colocasia/Alocasia bulbs can be stored over the winter in a protected garage and replanted in the spring.

Are you ready to grow your own tropical paradise and start living the PLANTASY LIFE?  Be sure to subscribe by email for my latest post and follow on me on Instagram @Plantifulgoddess.

XOXO!
EVE