What are the Best Tips for Tropical Garden Design?

Many people enjoy vacationing in tropical areas and, as a result, they may want to bring the feel of the tropics to their home gardens. There are numerous tips for completing a tropical garden design with nearly any outdoor space. Tips for a tropical garden design include researching and selecting the right plants for a particular region, using plenty of plants, and incorporating bright colors into the design. In addition, creating depth through mounds or even a sunken design may be useful.

For people who live in areas that are not tropical, it may take some research to select tropical-looking plants that will grow well. There are some plants that will survive through a light frost that may provide a tropical feel. For example, a species of bamboo plant called Sasa palmate looks like it originated in the tropics, yet it can withstand temperatures as low as -5°F (about -20°C). While it is fine to select some plants that are tender, it is also important to know that the plants will have to be replaced after each winter’s frost.

Tropical areas receive an abundance of rain. As a result, tropical plants require a great deal of water. Another tip for a tropical garden design is to select plants that are similar to tropical plants, but use less water. For example, some palms, such as coconut palms, do not require as much water as other tropical plants, such as ferns.

Other tips for a tropical garden design include planting a lot of the same types of plants. Often, the best design contains a thick, dense covering of greenery. Throughout the greenery, there should be areas of bright colors. Many plants have blossoms that come in colors that pop, such as orange, pink, and purple. Other plants have brightly colored leaves, giving splashes of red and yellow. The color need not stop with the plants, it can carry onto the patio furniture and garden artwork as well.

One of the most labor intensive, yet rewarding tips for creating a tropical garden design is to add elevation changes such as mounds or sunken areas into the design. Once the mound or ground wall is covered with greenery, it will create the illusion of a tropical setting. In addition, water features, large rocks, and even an outdoor shower can provide a rainforest-type feel to most gardens.