A Sparkling Tropical Garden with Architectural plants

Plant Combinations, Spring Borders, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

Garden ideas, Mediterranean plants, Water wise garden, Low maintenance garden, Dicksonia antarticsa, Trachycarpusv fortunei, Cycas revoluta, Tropaeolum majus, Agapanthus, Convolvulus cneorum, Eschscholtzia californica, Morning Glory, Ipomoea sloteri

Quite colorful, this tropical garden is low maintenance and requires little attention to thrive. Most plants are very architectural and are laid out in a tapestry of striking colors, shapes, and textures. We can admire with delight the graceful, evergreen rosettes of Dicksonia antarctica (Soft Tree Fern) and Cycas revoluta (Cycad) or the fan-shaped foliage of Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm).

Looking good all year-round, these striking plants compete for attention with the fiery red blossoms of Ipomoea x sloteri (Cardinal Climber), or the hot and vibrant blooms of Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium) and Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy). A few blue Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) cool down the atmosphere with their blue rounded clusters with star-shaped flowers numbering from 20 to more than 100.

Most of these plants are top performers, earning them the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Garden Information

Hardiness	9 - 10
Heat Zones	8 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Low, Average
Soil Type	Loam
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts	Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Mediterranean Garden

Plants In This Garden

Dicksonia antarctica (Soft Tree Fern)

Slow-growing, award-winning Dicksonia antarctica (Soft Tree Fern) is a semi-evergreen tree with a very attractive terminal rosette of gracefully arching, deeply divided, glossy dark green fronds, up to 10 ft. long (3 m). Its stout trunk is covered with soft reddish-brown hairs. Evergreen in mild climates, Dicksonia antarctica is deciduous in colder areas. Incredibly easy to grow, it has a strong architectural presence and makes a spectacular accent

Hardiness	9 - 12
Exposure	Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	12' - 15' (3.7m - 4.6m)
Soil Ph	Acid, Neutral
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen

Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm)

Very slow-growing and long-lived, award-winning Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm) is a palm-like evergreen perennial with a very attractive rosette of shiny, arching, pinnate leaves, up to 2-5 ft. long (60-150 cm), atop a rugged upright trunk. Each leaf is divided into many narrow, leathery, spiny-tipped, deep green leaflets adorned with revolute edges.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	3' - 10' (90cm - 3m)
Soil Ph	Acid, Neutral
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen

Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm)

Extremely hardy, award-winning Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm) is an evergreen palm forming a small tree with a terminal tuft of deeply divided, fan-shaped, dark green leaves, up to 3 ft. wide (1 m). They rise atop a stout trunk that is densely covered with hairy black fibers from old leaf sheaths.

Hardiness	7 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	8' - 10' (240cm - 3m)
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen

Agapanthus africanus (African Lily)

Agapanthus africanus (African Lily) is an evergreen perennial with showy rounded clusters of funnel-shaped blue flowers in early to mid-summer. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop a dense clump of narrow, strap-shaped, linear, grass-like leaves.

Hardiness	8 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen

Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)

Handsome and easy-going, Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium) is a popular annual or short-lived perennial with creeping or sprawling stems that command attention in any landscape.

Hardiness	2 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 10' (30cm - 3m)
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy

Ipomoea × sloteri (Cardinal Climber)

A graceful and cheerful addition to the garden, Ipomoea x sloteri (Cardinal Climber) is a tender twining vine with delicate lacy foliage and fiery red flowers adorned with a white throat. Blooming profusely from midsummer to fall, the tubular flowers flare open at the mouth into deep red pentagons. They are an excellent source of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Each large, bright green leaf is divided into narrow lobes, giving the foliage a lacy appearance.

Hardiness	2 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	6' - 12' (180cm - 3.7m)
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Showy

Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)

Eschscholzia californica, the iconic California Poppy, captivates with vibrant golden-orange blooms and delicate, fern-like foliage. A drought-tolerant, low-maintenance wildflower, it thrives in diverse conditions, adding beauty to gardens, meadows, and slopes.

Hardiness	6 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy

Convolvulus cneorum (Shrubby Bindweed)

Native to the Mediterranean region, Convolvulus cneorum (Shrubby Bindweed) is a small, spreading, evergreen shrub noted for its attractive silky, silvery-green foliage and large morning-glory-like flowers.

Hardiness	8 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen

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Tropaeolum (Nasturtium) Convolvulus Ipomoea (Morning Glory) Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.