They are very fast growers and can be pruned into tree form. Fertilize this plant bi-weekly and keep the soil moist.
BACKYARD TROPICAL GARDEN DESIGN FULL
They go through bloom and bud periods where they will be full of blooms one week and budding the next week. With masses of purple flowers, these graceful beauties are great in any garden with part to full sun. Tropical hibiscus are fine with being planted in containers but perennial hibiscus should be planted in the ground and given plenty of space to grow. Both prefer moist, nutrient-rich soil and lots of heat and full sun. Perennial Hibiscus comes in white, pinks and reds. The tropical Hibiscus comes in a wide variety of colors from mixes of bright oranges and yellows to whites and reds. Hibiscus = the king or queen of any tropical garden! Their bursts of bright colors and glossy green leaves will make you want a few in your own garden. They like to have well-draining soil but do not like drought-like conditions, so keep an eye on soil moisture. Typically they cannot take full sun, with a few exceptions. Caladiums prefer part shade but can take full shade and part sun. We carry several varieties of annual Caladiums including ‘Tom Tom’, ‘Miss Muffet’, ‘Carolyn Whorton’, ‘Florida Cardinal’, ‘Galaxy’, ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘White Queen’. Hawaiian Snowbush is a vigorous grower and spreads to about five feet wide.
It prefers to be planted in full sun but does just fine in part shade. They prefer full sun, nutrient-rich soil and they don’t like to dry out… so make sure you keep their soil moist! These vines aren’t very fast growing, but if you fertilize them bi-weekly you won’t be disappointed!Ī Fairview Exclusive, this tropical annual does great both outdoors and in. This ever-popular vine comes in white, yellow, pinks and reds (and even in double forms!). They prefer moist soil and can even take a boggy soil. Elephant ears, depending on the variety you choose, can take anywhere from shade to full sun. The annual varieties include ‘Mojito’, ‘Hilo Bay’ and many more. The perennials include ‘Black Magic’, ‘Taro’ and ‘Odora’. Here at Fairview, we have a wide variety of Elephant Ears to choose from, both perennial and annual. The shrimp plant is a relatively medium grower (it might reach five feet in one growing season) and is an annual here in North Carolina. In addition, it doesn’t need as much water as bananas but cannot take drought-like conditions. It prefers full sun but can also survive in part sun. Also is great in containers.Īlso known as the lollipop plant, this plant is becoming more and more common in tropical landscapes, mainly because of it’s versatility. Give Ensete plenty of moisture and full to part sun. It doesn’t get as tall as most bananas, either it grows to a max of eight feet tall and doesn’t spread very much (the spread of the individual plant may get to five feet wide). This banana tree has a habit of spreading at least 10’ all the way around the mother plant.Īlthough this plant is considered a banana tree, it does not flower or bear fruit like other banana trees. They prefer very moist soil and full sun. Treat it as a tender perennial and make sure to mulch well in the winter. Most banana tree species in North Carolina are annual with the exception of ‘Basjoo.’ Here at Fairview, we carry ‘Basjoo,’ It is a very fast growing banana that can easily reach 15’ tall in a couple of years. Whether you have full shade or full, hot sun, there are plenty of options for any gardener.Īfter deciding where you want to put your garden and how much light you have, then the real fun begins: It’s time to decide what plants to put into your landscape! Below you will find some of Fairview’s favorite tropical plants, both annual and perennial. The key to any garden is to make sure the plants you want can thrive with the amount of sunlight you have. And even better, a lot of these plants are very adaptable to our wide range of soils and weather patterns. Creating a Tropical Paradise in Your Backyardĭo you wish you could get away for a while but don’t want to spend a fortune on a tropical vacation? Well, with a little creativity and some unusual plants, you can create your own tropical paradise right in your backyard! Many of the plants that you see in magazines or growing in tropical places can be grown right here in North Carolina during the spring and summer months.