Adding Reliable Evergreen Plants for a Year-Round Jungle & Winter Flowers

Today’s quick video is a look at 3 easy, tough and reliable evergreen plants I’ve recently bought for my tropical style UK jungle garden. With glossy leaves and winter flowers, these classy but low maintenance plants are perfect for shady gardens, small gardens and even containers where you want some evergreen structure and colour. A heavily reduced Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’ had to come home with me following a recent garden centre visit and will brighten up a shady area with its large, variegated leaves. Mahonia ‘Sweet Winter’ was a plant I first saw at Simon Mabury’s amazing Leeds jungle garden and immediately knew its glossy, evergreen and exotic foliage would fit in well here so I’m pleased to have bought a couple from Craig over at Grow Paradise - lovely plants as always! Sarcococca ‘Purple Gem’ brings an incredible scent to the winter garden and would be an amazing plant to add fragrance to a small patio or seating area. Scent is something I want to introduce more of to my garden so stay tuned for my next vid to see more plant ideas!
0:00 Intro
0:51 Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’ - easy evergreen structure for shade
3:52 Mahonia eurybracteata 'Sweet Winter' - exotic foliage & winter flowers
6:33 Sarcococca ‘Purple Gem’ - glossy evergreen foliage & amazing winter scent
If you've enjoyed my content and would like to say thanks for the price of a coffee then please head over to my Ko-fi, any kind donations would be appreciated and put towards creating more exciting content (or treats for Max if you wish!): ko-fi.com/georgesjunglegarden​​
Thanks,
George

[@tharr182]

Thanks George for another great watch.👍 Picked up a Fatsia Spiders web from my local nursery this weekend after watching this. Never seen them there before, so a great surprise! Now just a bit of a waiting game for the weather to improve so the real fun can start.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and nice one, it sounds like they arrived at just the right time for you! Yes, it's only a matter of time now before it all starts again. Late February to late March really is that tipping point where you can start getting excited and putting plans in motion - good luck with all of yours!

[@missdimples1982]

I'm planning on buying a Wisteria, always wanted one over an archway, and this is the year it will be so ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic, that'll be great! I do like Wisteria and when you see an established one during flowering time it really does steal the show!

[@AsSa-qg1hp]

Today was the day all the pieces came together. Finally had time to watch your video. Instantly fell in love with the Mahonia! Made a mental note. Then I saw a post in a plant facebook group about a massive monstera that brought me to a local nursery I haven’t been to since before the pandemic. I didn’t even make it through the gate before I saw the Mahonia. I am now the proud owner of two. The stars were all aligned today. Thank you for your great videos and inspiration. 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey, that's excellent! Pleased to have provided you with the idea and I'm happy you like them. I think one of the best things about these Mahonia is how adaptable they are in a garden context. They can be used purely as an attractive evergreen, they can add to summer tropical planting, they pair well with larger trees and shrubs plus the flowers and berries are great too - they're a great plant and I'm pleased you found some (or they found you!) so quickly!

[@AsSa-qg1hp]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I think you are on to something about plants finding us. Who says we’re obsessed with plants? Maybe they are obsessed with us?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Who knows, maybe you're right! Whilst not exactly an intended survival benefit, it's definitely obvious that the strong growing, low maintenance, visually attractive and healthy plants are far more likely to reach mainstream plant suppliers and cultivation on a massive scale so maybe we're unwittingly getting drawn into their survival of the strongest race...

[@missdimples1982]

I think I might treat myself to a Purple Gem

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

They're nice little plants for sure and you won't regret it. They'll settle into the background in summer and blend in with a variety of plants and planting styles but certainly make themselves known in late winter! They're worth planting somewhere where you'll appreciate the scent.

[@Temperate2Tropical]

great video, gotta love the evergreens!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and you certainly do, they bring so much to the garden all year long!

[@carolebaines4075]

Hi george, love the fact your videos are back! Just wantedvto say i have a few fatsia spiders web in my garden. However, i live a little further over the other side of the bridge to you, and i find i have to put fleece over these plants through the worst of the weather, it doesnt necessarily kill them outright, but rather knocks them back, taking out the top growing points. Fleece helps. Wont stop me growing them, such a bright spot among the evergreens...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Caroline and thanks, yes, it's great to have had a short break and now be looking forwards to spring! Yes, I've noticed similar with my 'Spider's Web' plants - they can get disfigured by the frost or other factors earlier in the season like you say. Personally I just leave them to it as the new growth always finds a way through eventually but yes, fleece is a top tip if you're keen on them looking their best. They are a lovely bright plant for sure!

[@davidmarsh596]

I find Hellebores are great for a tropical style garden in summer the leaves look tropical, in late winter early spring they have amazing flowers. The leaves are tough so don't really get eaten. Hellebores are also evergreen... give them a go 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi David and you're completely right! I've got one further up the garden and every time I see some at this time of year I'm tempted to add more. A great suggestion thanks, particularly for those with shadier gardens wanting something easy, reliable and with an exotic look.

[@Gina0151]

Thanks for the tip guys. Ordering some for shady border

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Gina, they'll fit in really nicely there I'm sure! Great to see so many interesting suggestions in the comments!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

The fatsia was incredible value. Superb size and condition for the money. Sweet winter is a classy choice also. It's those understorey plants that I share your focus on now👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers, it was indeed! Plants that used to be a fiver a few years ago are now a tenner, the ones that used to be a tenner are now £20 but that looks like it would have been a £40 plant even when we first started on Instagram so I was lucky. Yes, I'm really trying to focus on adding more seasonal interest and getting the understorey plants in now I'm reasonably sure which borders I want to mature into permanent year-round interest vs summer displays. They're certainly the missing link between an exotic garden that's a collection of specimens and one that's tied together well and looks coherent. The other thing is that with my time in the garden currently being limited and life being busy - the benefit is that plants seem to grow so much faster haha! Never a better time to get small shrubs and plants in than when you have a young family!

[@MarkMichalowski]

Yay! Great to have you back, George! 2024 starts here! If we happen upon any great bargains in garden centres over the next couple of weeks, would you recommend leaving them in their pots until the frosts have past, or would you recommend getting them into the ground as soon as possible?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Mark and thanks, it's great to be back and I'm looking forward to another growing season! As for your question, the boring non-committal answer I'd give is that it depends entirely on the plants in question, where they were kept at the garden centre etc., your garden conditions and the weather forecast for your area. Practically though, if they're tough, hardy plants I'd get them in now. Relatively tough exotics like palms etc, personally I'd wait another month or so and anything a bit borderline hardy for your area or that's been kept in a greenhouse I'd probably wait until April to give some very rough guidance! If the weather continues to be relatively mild then most tough plants will be happier in the ground but there's no point shocking less tough plants unnecessarily and risking them being cut back by any late freezes.

[@susanhoward47]

Welcome back George, thanks for another great video.x

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Susan and I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I've got lots of plant, garden tour and project videos lined up for this year so it's great to get things going again!

[@NorfLondonGardener]

Great video thanks. Im on a similar mission at the moment. I went to the garden centre today looking for deep evergreen foliage to keep my patio enticing at this time of year. I found a pittosporum tobira and a formium "chocomint"

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and great choices! Both are very colourful and should perform well in your location. Life's too short to accept your garden is going to look bleak and empty for half the year so plants like those around the patio certainly prove their worth don't they.

[@wesleyhackney]

So great to see you making videos and back in garden again. I simply love these plants you featured today they are some of my favorite foundation plants plus so cold hardy I got down to 20F twice on my garden this winter and it did not phase them. Look forward to your new season of videos

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Wesley and thanks, it's great to be back and I've got a lot planned for this year that I hope you'll enjoy (time depending as always!). Foundation plants is a great way of looking at these lovely evergreens and it's good to know they took 20F without issues. For me whilst the big or specimen plants add the impact and wow factor, it's often the more subtle plants that really help add to the feel of a place and plants that these which can shrug of cold and do their thing without a worry certainly deserve a space amongst the other rarities and bolder plants.

[@GrowTropicalMK]

Great video I got some nice fatsia spiders web deals at the back end of last year 😊. Much smaller than that one though! Probably rhe biggest I have seen.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and nice one, deals are always good and 'Spider's Web' are certainly a plant you won't regret adding to your garden. I certainly got lucky with that beast, it's a lovely plant!

[@GrowParadise]

Fantastic video George, I love every plant that you featured. We’ve got lots more of those stunning Mahonia ‘Sweet Winter’ on the way 😀🪴

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Craig - I haven't watched your vid on the similar theme but I'm sure we agree it's definitely the time of year when these plants are appreciated the most. I'm sure the Mahonia 'Sweet Winter' will be a great seller for you!

[@etihadwizards]

Great minds think alike George, saw Craig at Grow Paradise's recommendation and picked up a Mahonia Sweet Winter on Saturday.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, good choice! Lovely plants aren't they and I'm sure Craig will sell a good few!

[@milkweeddreams8828]

Now I'm stoked to go plant shopping, it's been so cold and gloomy here in N Florida and rain for the next 2 days, so I'll just watch gardening shows and stay dry, however I did notice the sweet olive and Georgia peach sending out blooms to entice the bees...temps in the low 40's is stopping me from planting too much just yet...been a long cold winter so far...bring on the sun...!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It's not just here that's been cold and gloomy then, like you it feels like it's been a long winter here and spring is certainly very welcome! It's great to see the first blooms of late winter / early spring isn't it though, things are heading in the right direction and there'll be more sun and warmth soon enough!

[@tonycastro9997]

Welcome back George. I thought at first your chest was exploding and a dinosaur was trying to escape. Always look forward to your video on a Sunday and after the first long day back I been back in the garden. Keep up the great informative work

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Tony and thanks! Haha yes, my T-shirt wear for videos is largely Jurassic Park themed or old gym wear but I'm sure I'll have to grow up one day! It's great to hear you enjoy my vids and I'll try my best to keep up a Sunday / weekend upload. I'm pleased you've been out in your garden too, the first proper day out there really makes a difference doesn't it - you suddenly go from being in a winter hibernation to looking ahead to the coming year. Bring it on and thanks for your support!

[@tonyworrall7379]

Bargain there George. Good to see Max too!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Tony, I got lucky! Yes haha, Max doesn't venture out much when it's chilly but he has to feature when he does! Remi on the other hand will go out whatever the weather when he sees me putting my boots on - he doesn't want to miss out on the 'fun'.

[@mrchuffy6535]

I think I had to wrestle that one off Angela the other week at Brigg! Excellent content George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha oh dear! It's maybe the same one - her loss was my gain (so thanks!). They had a slightly tattier one for £10 more but I couldn't pass this one up! Thanks, happy to share the plants I'm actually adding and looking forward to seeing grow in our balmy Lincolnshire climate...

[@DebbieinNWiltshire]

Thanks for the vid George… completely agree with you on that winter to early summer gap ( and I’m even further south than you - N Wiltshire).. for me I’ve also used Fatsia and Mahonia (although I lost my Green Fingers in the 22/23 winter). Another consideration for me is hardiness.. it is such a faff having to protect EVERYTHING.. so other non specimen plants for the gap I have include golden dogwood, and golden forms of elder (golden tower and racemosa Sutherland gold) which just look amazing in sunlight.. for me this year I have a new bed to plant out.. haven’t quite decided on plant list yet..

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Debbie and I appreciate your thoughts! Sorry you lost your 'Green Fingers' - personally I've got a feeling there's some varying issues with the polycarpa available at most places and they don't seem as reliable as they 'should' be. I completely get you regarding hardiness and you make some great suggestions there. The idea of having a larger garden where everything requires protection would be stressful to say the least so it's reassuring to know that the majority of the plants will be just fine for the majority of winters and from that point you can experiment as much as your time / facilities / budget and sanity allow! Good luck with your new bed, have you got any kind of theme for the planting?

[@heatherfindler6950]

Hi George Great video and really weird, as I went to a garden centre at the weekend and they had Fatsia spiders webs for 99p!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I also got a 3 crown small tree fern for £6 the poor thing was in a mess not even in a pot. It has new fronds emerging already and looks so much better now I have 3 Fatsia Spiders' webs they are great and grow so quick. I am going to get more hostas this year to gap fill. My existing hostas don't get eaten and always look amazing. I agree with you regarding less big specimen plants and more gap filling.!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Heather, thanks and that's a great buy! You can't go wrong at 99p can you! It sounds like the tree fern will bounce back nicely and prove to be another beautiful addition too with a bit of TLC. How have you found the growth of your 'Spider's Web' plants past 1m if they're that big? Mine have certainly slowed down and I'm not sure if it's down to the conditions or just what they tend to do. If you have a garden where you can grow hostas without them getting eaten then I'd absolutely add some more, they're great for adding easy spring and summer leaves. 'Empress Wu' and 'Sum & Substance' are probably my favourite larger varieties here but yes, gap filling plants are exciting and even the smaller plants can really help bring your garden together well.

[@heatherfindler6950]

@GeorgesJungleGarden funnily enough my spiders webs have slowed down too. They aren't that tall and seem to be spreading in width rather than height. The tree fern has already bounced back it has 4 fronds emerging already! As for the hostas, I have both Empress wu and sum and substance. The empress wu was a plug plant so I am hoping to see it get a bit bigger this year. I also have a Chinese rhubarb. The leaves last year were big. Nice plant to use as a gap filler.

[@Gina0151]

Omg where is this garden centre Heather?!

[@heatherfindler6950]

@@Gina0151 it's in Wigan, Golden Days.

[@Gina0151]

@@heatherfindler6950 ooh thanks. I’ve got family there, might be time for a visit! ❤

[@darknessblip5820]

I was about to say I wish I had your climate for year round plants like that, but then I realized I will most likely have that climate in in my lifetime (Chicago area US).

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, yes, you might be right unfortunately. Thanks also for the reminder about relative hardiness. When I'm talking about palms I can easily distinguish between tropical palms, palms for warmer temperature regions, the ones we can grow and the ones that people in colder climates might still have to protect but it's something I don't consider much about other evergreens (but really should do). It's easy to assume that evergreen means tough and green whatever the weather but a lot of the more exotic looking introductions do have hardiness limitations that I'll try to mention in future vids, even if they're a pretty safe choice here.

[@fraserdavidson2366]

Another great video George. Excellent find on the fatsia spider web. I purchased one last winter and it did not make it. It was on the sale bench looking sorry for itself but sadly did not pull through. Anyways I bought another one last summer and that is doing fine. My purchases this year so far and eagerly waiting on delivery are Begonia 'Santa Cruz' Calla collection 'Giraffe' Hosta 'T-Rex' All for later in the year but I'm sure will give some great impact.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Fraser and I definitely got lucky with the Fatsia! Sorry the one you got didn't make it but I'm pleased you found a replacement and at least you took the chance on it. Nice plant choices on the way too, I can see them all working well with other 'tropical style' plants. I did wonder what Calla collection 'Giraffe' was but it's a clever idea for marketing and planting them isn't it! Sometimes we can be too focused on complimentary colours and colour schemes and ignore some of the bold contrasts that are available combining plants with such vivid colour options. I hope they all grow well for you, not long now until we can enjoy all the summer plants getting going!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

Wow, i want this Mahonia eurybracteata 'Sweet Winter' soo bad now... Superb! I remember appreciating the shining leaves of an other Sarcococca (with larger leaves). This one looks so pretty and i guess the fragrance is a delight! Thank you George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Bernard, it would definitely be a great partner to your 'Soft Caress'! Yes, the Sarcococca is not a plant I was researching or hunting down but has a lovely look and the scent really is powerful and it's another seasonal garden event I'll look forward to enjoying every year. Happy to share and take care!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Yes, the scent must be fascinating as per what you are saying. Yesterday, i ordered a small M. "Sweet Winter"... (20/30cm, 30 euros delivered home) 🙂Take care Georges!🙋‍♂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Excellent, it'll make a lovely addition to your collection I'm sure. Thanks Bernard, you too!

[@Tminus89]

I've been using Simon's garden as an inspiration to try and 'jungle up' the place here, can't wait to have the seedlings done and put everything in the ground! I planted Fargesia Demissa 'Gerry' last week for some permanent structure in the garden and there is a small wishlist (Sweet winter is on there) of evergreen plants I hope to add later this year. It's pretty flat and boring at the moment haha

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one and that's certainly a great form of inspiration to encourage exciting jungle planting! Fargesia demissa 'Gerry' is an interesting bamboo, I moved mine recently. I can't say I've decided upon an exact position where it's going to be relocated too but I'd like to keep it in the garden! I'm sure your garden will come together before you know it and I hope you enjoy the process!

[@derekscheshirepalmgardenuk5345]

Hi George....ive spent a fare bit so far .. several plants from panglobal also a lovely shefflera macrophylla from crug farm, ive also got a 4ft tree fern coming on Wednesday from Seagraves and a large ish cycad revoluta coming this week also, oh and a couple of plants from ebay....sparmannia Africana and a Roldana peteasitsis😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Derek and nice one, those are some lovely plants and I can see them working well with your palms and other exotics! I can't fault you on the macrophylla, I'd be very tempted to give one anther go but not just yet. A few strategic purchases really help you look forward to spring and sunny days don't they!

[@palmsexoticsuk2194]

The mahonia looks great! Had never heard of it until Craig featured it! It’s my mission to buy some soft caress this year. Fully hardy up north, do you think?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It's lovely isn't it and 'Soft Caress' is well worth adding too! They're really handy plants that get to around 1m which is really hand for use as an understory type plant. As for the hardiness, they can take a good amount of cold so personally I wouldn't worry about any type of protection and I'd class them as an easy evergreen that won't take damage for the majority of winters - it would take an exceptional winter or an exposed location to brown them.

[@wayne4831]

Thanks Georgec- helpful and informative as ever. I did commit to growing from seed and divisions this year but its not going great. I've bought a wagi palm and a tetrapanax and have a Euphorbia John Phillips, fatsia polycarpa and a sweet winter also on order from Craig. I keep telling my other half that because they are hardy plants they are investments not a purchases - she didn't look convinced - I'm going to try the garden centre sales plan and see if I can use her - it was such a bargain it would have been a crime not to buy it line.... wish me luck 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Wayne and great choices! A good balance of seeds and divisions to hardy plants and structure is how you make a great exotic garden and I can't fault your selection there. They really are great investments that'll grow rapidly, provide enjoyment 12 months of the year and just think about how much you've saved against buying larger versions of the same plants! (hopefully that helps you but good luck)

[@divinebrewing]

Hey George I managed to pick up a Pseudopanax Moas Toes which has an amazing metallic sheen and great shaped leaves, by coincidence same day I picked up another pseudopanax but this was gecko gold which I got on the shit shelf for £15 and is in perfect condition and the third plant I got that day was a Cyathea cooperii - 3 plants from 3 different suppliers in one day 😅. Info on the pseudopanax would be really useful as these are both pseudopanax lessonii but are completely different in leaf shape and colour, cheers

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and nice one, that's a cool little plant haul! I've got a small Pseudopanax 'Moa's Toes' that I'll be planting out in spring too - they're striking plants aren't they. I'd love to give more info but I've only had other varieties in the ground a few years now and my knowledge is pretty much based off Googling and anecdotes from other growers - as soon as I get more experience and info I'll look at putting a video together. It's always worth checking out Growing on the Edge and some of the Facebook groups for real world experience on hardiness, conditions and care tips - definitely worth a look!

[@leestockton9367]

Got the Spiders Web, I put it next to Mahonia Soft Caress, Nandina, Trachycarpis Fortuneii, Musa Bajoo and Canna. Trying to hunt down the Mahonia Sweet Winter but they're as rare as rocking horse manure

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Lee, I'm sure they'll all look great together. Craig at Grow Paradise is getting some more Sweet Winter in abut they don't seem to be widely available at garden centres like 'Soft Caress' is yet do they. I hope you can get hold of one soon!

[@jimbailey3705]

I bought a sweet winter before Christmas - already put it in the ground! I just bought a t-Rex and a pink Cordyline (for the exact variety, but the tag said hardy to -6C.... we’ll see, I guess!😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Jim, beat me too it! Personally I'd probably hold off planting the Tetrapanax for a while unless it was kept outside where you got it from. As for the Cordyline - good luck! Personally I've not had much joy with smaller or colourful Cordylines here but they seem variable and with the right location seem to grow strong and easily. I'd try to give it a sheltered spot and hopefully it grows away well for you without any testing temperatures in the near future!

[@jimbailey3705]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks, I'll hold off on planting the tetrapanax! I'd be happy if this small colourful cordyline is root hardy. I don't need it to grow tall, but it woudl look good pretending to be a bromeliad... I have found that even large red cordylines hated the winter of 22 in my garden, but I also didn't protect it, so... lesson learnt! at least it was root hardy!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries Jim. Hopefully the Cordyline settles in well and I like your thinking about it visually pretending to be a bromeliad or more tropical Cordyline. I've certainly found them to be quite variable here, with some proving to be softer than the quoted hardiness figures suggest whereas there's lots of bigger plants locally which are obviously surprisingly tough and cold resistant. All the best with it and yes, a bit of TLC while it's smaller may just be the key.

[@Plant_Mad_Paul]

Nice purchases bro 👍🏻 my next purchase is deffo a Loquat tree I’ve got seeds in the greenhouse but still nothing from them yet so it may just be going out and getting an already good size plant 🌱 😃

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Paul, they're definitely lovely plants - humble and subtle but well worth a spot! Fair play for trying to grow a Loquat from seed and hopefully you see results soon but I don't blame you for keeping an eye out for a more mature example. Mark's got some lovely ones at his Tiki garden you might have seen in my vids and they've really settled in well and grown significantly over the last few years since being planted out. They certainly add an exotic edge to the evergreen structure.

[@Plant_Mad_Paul]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden yeah Marks look great George 😀. The instant impact plants come at a high price however 🙄 convincing the missus the garden needs the plant is a little harder to pull off than finding the money 🤣

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, very true! Good luck and hopefully you have a birthday coming up...

[@staffordshireShane]

Nice plants fella .iv got spiders web envy. Cracking specimen . Love the other plants too those little leafs make the huge leafs seem gigantic . Im a big fan of the smaller leafed evergreens

[@mandytyers4481]

Our local B&Q .had spiders Web in for £9 each . I brought 3. Waiting to plant out .

[@mandytyers4481]

That was only about 2 weeks ago ,if anybody is interested .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers Shane, it's a beauty for sure! I'd appreciate it but leave it for somebody else at £60 but at £25 I had to snap it up. The smaller leaved evergreens really help visually don't they. I think with the softer summer plants you can throw loads of big leaves and they work well together but with the evergreens a bit of variety in leaf shape and size really does complete the picture. Now all I need is a piddly little fountain to make the Fatsia leaves seem even bigger!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Mandy, that's a great buy and thanks for the recommendation! I'm sure other people will be busy heading to their local B&Qs to snap them up too!

[@staffordshireShane]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden i know just the place for a fountain 🤣🤣. that fatsia youd be waiting 3 or 4 years for a spiders web getting to that size i paid £20 for tiny ones 3 years back in lockdown and they are still not that size . Id have bought it if i had seen it.

[@PaulConnor100]

Fatsia japonica are definitely a nice plant George , maybe a video on Tropical filler plants at sometime .👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

They are indeed! I've done a few filler type plant vids but it's maybe time for an updated one showing the plants I've relied on to pack the garden out without spending a huge amount of money and how well they've done.

[@PaulConnor100]

@GeorgesJungleGarden Sounds good George 👍

[@Gina0151]

Do it do it do it we all chanted hopefully 😎

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hahah Gina, I'll see what I can do!

[@emmagunston446]

Wow what a bargain! That Fatsia is HUGE for the price, well done you! I'm going to try really hard not to buy any plants this year, I really am running out of room! Let's see how I do with that eh? 😂😂😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks Emma, I was lucky! Yes, it's a big plant for the money definitely - sometimes it pays to go to the local garden centres! Good luck with your responsible plant budgeting, the first step is realising you have a problem. The second is ignoring it and finding more room where you can!

[@kevinhenery7609]

New plants this year a mimosa and 2 tetrapanx from Janet at dirt cheap plants ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Kevin, Janet looks her Mimosa trees doesn't she! They'll be top plants I'm sure, all the best with them!

[@stevebacon1026]

Hi george. Very good vid . Il be glad when the ground gets firmer , its so boggy out there! Just a quick question, do you think it would be ok to dig up a four foot tree fern(dicky)and plant it in another spot in this mild climate were having?im off to nursery tomorrow to see whats on offer. Cheers mate. All the best.Steve.👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Steve and thanks! Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to things drying up too, it's certainly been a wet and muddy one. Although we might have some frosts on the way, personally I'd probably be tempted to move a tree fern now. Whilst I wouldn't move palms just yet, tree ferns seem more dormant at this time of year and will really appreciate the moisture to help them settle in which may be in shorter supply in if you wait until April (we'll see). I don't honestly know the 'right' horticultural advice but with it being milder my gut feeling is that I'd rather get it done and give the plant chance to recover from the shock before it starts growing new fronds but I completely understand there's a case for waiting too. Sorry that's a bit vague Steve but enjoy your nursery trip and all the best!

[@inbetween-days]

Hi George can I ask your opinion on musa bajoo? Do you think there is any point unwrapping them at the moment whilst the weather is warm, and if we get a cold spell protecting them again? Thanks Dave

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Dave, just replied to somebody else with the same question so no problem. You could unwrap them if there's no frosts forecast imminently in your area but personally I'd wait another month or so before unwrapping them permanently when the risks of prolonged freezes should be behind us. Obviously if you've just used fleece bags etc. then you can pop them off for ventilation whilst it's mild then recover as necessary but I wouldn't worry too much about the bananas growing under more thorough protection. They seem to tolerate being wrapped up for long periods well without rotting and any new growth which does begin to push through can easily be chopped back a bit when you unwrap without any long term problems. We've got some frosts forecast this weekend so I'm leaving mine covered.

[@inbetween-days]

Thank you George that was very helpful 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries, happy to help.

[@michaeldyer1322]

hi george, i,ve noticed some spider web are whiter than others ,do you know if that stay that way?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Michael, I've definitely noticed the variation in the variegation too. In all honesty I couldn't definitively say. Obviously individual plants will vary but plants produced by tissue culture as most of these widely available shrubs are do tend to stay reasonably similar. The position and light levels where they are grown or planted out are likely to affect the variegation too and also there's a change as the leaves age from almost entirely off white when they emerge to developing more green as they open up. Personally if there's one particular plant that you like the look off I'd go for that one and hopefully the same patterning persists but sorry I can't say for definite!

[@Gina0151]

I got a spiders web half the height of yours and a couple of small mahonia soft caress in November sales so I’ve not wanted to risk planting them out yet. When is it ok to put them in the ground? March maybe? Also, what’s the growth rate of each? It’s nice to add a few hardy evergreen doers so this year I’ll be getting some more

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Gina and good questions that I would have liked to address in a longer vid. In my head they fall right between the groups of plants that are tough and can be planted during milder spells in winter and those which you might as well keep somewhere sheltered from the worst of the cold and plant in spring. March seems like a good compromise, maybe mid-late March when we'll have an idea about whether there's going to be any further freezes and the days will be a good bit longer. As for the growth rates, 'Spider's Web' isn't quite as fast as the green japonica. They seem to grow maybe 6" or so with a nice flush of attractive new growth in spring but slow down a bit when they get to around 1m tall in my experience. The Mahonia will probably have a similar growth rate at first but will slow down and top out at around 1m - they're nice compact plants so perfect for understory or accessory planting. Yes, I think the evergreens do a lot, they may get overshadowed by the big leaves in summer but are especially appreciated at this time of year!

[@Gina0151]

Cheers George 👍 yeah I’ll hang on till end of March b4 planting out my potted spiders web and soft caress. I don’t want them to get big as they’re going strategically under canopy of taller tropicals: trachy fortunei and George the tree fern. Spider web is budding to flower so that will branch off nicely, don’t want it to grow big like a standard fatsia japonica. Hoping the soft caress grow bigger though as they’re only 6 inches high and I was expecting bushier plant in 3 litre pot (Ebay disaster). Good to see some nice hardy plant suggestions in comments from viewers too!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries Gina and I've actually just commented on your other post saying that it's great to have so many suggestions that I don't mention or grow here currently - you're right! I think the 'Spider's Web' and 'Soft Caress' will be the perfect lower and slower growing accessory plants to the Trachy and George - he deserves pride of place doesn't he! Yeah, we've all been there with Ebay or occasional online purchase, frustrating isn't it and it definitely sounds like it should have been bigger for 3lt but as long as it settles in well and grows away all is good.

[@eddiepriest5995]

Hi where would you plant this in a border? Mines been in the ground 2 years and hasn’t really grown at all - it’s currently in semi shade

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Eddie, which one - the 'Spider's Web'?

[@eddiepriest5995]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden yeah I have two so put on in a shady spot as thought would work due to most variegated plants not always loving full sun and another one in half sun and both really haven’t moved, they get much more bothered by cold and frost than standard fatsia

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Eddie, you're right in that they're slower than the standard Japonica and seem slightly more prone to cold damage or disfigurement to the leaves but when they flush all is forgiven with the amazing new growth. Personally I grow mine in partial shade but I imagine for the optimal growth, somewhere with moist but free draining soil and shelter from strong winds and light would be optimal. They certainly seem to slow down in growth at a certain height here whereas japonica motors away.

[@Gina0151]

Can anyone suggest something architectural evergreen spikey in part shady area that looks like phormium but frost tolerant? Or recommend a good phormium that will look nice all year without dying back?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Gina, what height are you wanting it to grow too and what minimum temperatures has your garden seen the past few winters?

[@Gina0151]

It’s a shade area at foot of the garden that gets dappled sun and some overhang winter protection from a tree. I Live on the Wirral, minimum winter temps was -3 but usually not much colder than zero for the odd few nights. I want a couple of hardy evergreen phormiums or similar to add interest all year without becoming monsters. Just say 2 or 3 ft tall. Don’t want anything that dies back or turns to twigs and mush in winter. Got enough of that lol. Any suggestions for a tough spikey upright, striped, variegated, green/yellow or blueish would look good. The area gets a few hours morning sun in summer and dappled shade all afternoon

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Gina, sorry for the delay. If the shade isn't too deep have you considered Astelia? Whilst not quite the same height, Liriope and some Carex sedges may thrive there too. In terms of Phormiums, they can be quite variable when it comes to hardiness but 'Yellow Wave' has generally been good for me and doesn't get huge.

[@Gina0151]

Astelia is a good suggestion I hadn’t thought of. 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No problem, I'm sure they'd work well! Make sure to leave room as some of them get quite large over the years but they're lovely plants for a semi-shady or sunny spot.