Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Real Men Sow
These plants are modern and impactful, but they have a timeless feel and require very little maintenance. Many tropical plants can withstand cold temperatures better than you might imagine. They are not able to withstand drought so make sure you keep them well-watered especially the first year.
Mixing British and tropical plants together is the key to getting them to work in your garden. You can create a frame using exotic varieties and then fill it with plants such as Astranias or Miscanthus, Hostas, Carex and Japanese anemone.
Athyrium (Lady Fern) ‘Ghost’
This is a great shade plant that has soft, silvery leaves. Its silver color helps break up dense green plants and makes it more tolerant to dry conditions than many other ferns.
Planting Summary
-
- Sun – Full shade or partial shade
- Position – North or East-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Moist but well-drained
- Soil – Sand, clay, loam
How to Plant
Ghost fern care includes ensuring that they don’t get too much sunlight. They thrive in shade, just like most ferns. In a sunny area, the delicate silvery color will fade and the whole plant could die. You should aim for full to partial shade. Ghost fern, unlike other ferns, can tolerate some soil dryness. The soil should not be completely dried out. It should remain at least slightly moist throughout the day, which is another reason to plant it in shade.
Carex Comans (Bronze New Zealand Hair Sedge)
This hardy fine-leaved grass is available in a variety of colors from green and white to red. It can be used in drifts to give beds an ethereal effect, moving in the wind and creating a soothing soundscape.
Planting Summary
-
- Sun – Full sun or partial shade
- Position – West, East, South or North
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Well-drained or moist but well-drained
- Soil – Sand, clay, loam, or chalk
How to Plant
Plant in full sunlight to partial shade. The soil should be well-drained, moist and rich in organic material. However, it can tolerate drought after being established. To maintain an attractive appearance, prune unkempt leaves to 5 inches above the ground in late winter and early spring. This plant can be propagated by either dividing it in spring, or by sowing seeds.
Chamaerops Humilis (Dwarf Fan Palm)
The shrubby palm adds a unique architectural dimension to tropical planting. These plants can be grown indoors or outdoors in indirect, bright light.
Summary of Planting
- Sun – Partial shade
- Position – North-facing or East-facing position
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Well-drained
- Soil – Loam
How to Plant
Plant under glass, or in a house plant in a loam-based soil in indirect light. Water moderately during growth and give it a balanced fertilizer every other month. Winter: Water sparingly
Cordyline Australis – Cabbage Palm
It is a popular plant with single leaves, similar to a palm. Although it is a woody shrub, you can make it into a tree by removing the lower leaves. If winter is extremely cold, protect with straw or horticultural fleece.
Planting Summary
-
- Sun – Full sun or partial shade
- Position – South or West-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Well-drained or moist but well-drained
- Soil – Sand, clay, loam, or chalk
How to Plant
Cordylines are not as exotic as they look. They can be found in areas with mild winters and sheltered locations outside. Cordylines can be grown in cold regions. You can cover them with a blanket or wrap them for winter.
Dicksonia Antarctica – Soft-Tree Fern
Originating from Australia, this soft tree fern is called “soft tree fern. Although they are often evergreen, the leaves can die in colder areas. Over winter, protect the crown by wrapping straw with wire and holding it in place.
Planting Summary
-
- Sun – Full shade or partial shade
- Position – South, West or East-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Moist but well-drained
- Soil – Sand or loam
How to Plant
You can plant a soft tree fern in a ground or container. Dig a hole in your soil twice the size of its root ball. Mix the soil with between 5-10 gallons of compost and then mix it all together. Mix in perlite if the soil is not draining well. Place the root ball in the hole. Plant it at the same depth as it was growing in its container. Once the root ball is in place, fill it with soil and water.
Dryopteris Filix Mas (Male Fern)
This woodland fern is an excellent variety. It is extremely hardy and can withstand any heat except direct sunlight. This fern can be used underplanting shrubs and as ground cover under trees.
Planting Summary
- Sun – Partial sun or full sun
- Position – North-, West-, East- or South-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Poorly-drained or moist but well-drained
How to Plant
It can be placed outside in the sun in the afternoon and kept in shade for the remainder of the day. It can withstand temperatures of 70° to 75° Fahrenheit (21° to 24°C) during daylight hours and 60° Fahrenheit at night.
Dryopteris Filix – Mas prefers moist watering to wet. This means that it must be given enough water. It can also tolerate drought. It is best to water it only once a week, but allow the soil to dry slightly between each watering. Hand misting is recommended as this plant loves high humidity.
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
This versatile plant is great for full or partial shade. This plant provides excellent ground cover and is available in many leaf varieties. It must be well-watered.
Planting Summary
- Sun – Partial shade
- Position – West, North, East-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Moist but well-drained
How to Plant
Hostas love deep, moist soils that are rich in organic matter. Between autumn and spring, plant when the hostas are dormant. Protect yourself from the cold and dry winds
Many types do best in light or partial shade. Some variegated varieties can fade when exposed to full sunlight. Before you choose a site for planting, make sure to read the label. You can test different areas in the garden if you are not sure of the type.
Trachycarpus Fortunei – Chusan Palm
This palm tree is beautiful with its strong, fibrous trunk and large fan-shaped leaves. Protect the crown from strong winds and cover it with straw during cold weather.
Planting Summary
- Sun – Partially shaded or full sun
- Position – East, South, or West-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Well-drained
- Soil – Sand or chalk or loam
How to Plant
Trachycarpus fortunei should be planted as any other plant. It should be positioned at the same height it was in its original pot. Make a hole in the ground and add garden compost to it. Once you are satisfied with the placement of the root ball, backfill the hole with soil. Firmly grip the root ball with your feet. Make sure to water well
Phormium Tenax – New Zealand Flax
This is a great plant with strap-leaved leaves. It can grow up to 4m high and 2.5m wide. It is native to New Zealand, and can be grown in almost any part of the UK.
Planting Summary
-
- Sun – Full sun or partial shade
- Position – South, North, East or West-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Well-drained or moist but well-drained
- Soil – Sand or loam
How to Plant
New Zealand flax, a perennial that grows slowly, is slow-growing. Division is the most popular method of propagation. Fully rooted specimens can be found at many nursery centers. Well-draining soil is a must for this plant. Boggy soils or clay soils can reduce growth and lead to rotten stems.
Flax can tolerate partial sun, but it will do better in full sunlight. They attract birds but is not appealing to deer. Flax is easy to care for, drought-tolerant once established, and provides erosion control. The care of New Zealand flax plants is very minimal once they are mature. However, flax can suffer from damaged or shredded leaf tips when exposed to windy and harsh conditions.
Zantedeschia Aethiopica (Arum Lily)
The contrast between the striking white spathes and the shiny green leaves is stunning. It will thrive in a Mediterranean-style garden, either in borders and flower beds or in a container. Mulch should be removed from the garden in autumn as it begins to fade.
Planting Summary
-
- Sun – Full sun or partial shade
- Position – West or South-facing
- Exposure – Sheltered
- Moisture – Poorly drained
- Soil – Clay or loam
How to Plant
Zantedeschias can be easily planted when purchased in full-grown containers. They can also be planted directly into larger containers or borders. They will settle quickly.
The bulb-like rhizomes, or underground stems, should be first planted indoors in order to establish. This is done from the beginning of spring. After the plants have grown strongly, you can transplant them outside.
