Adding Tropical Summer Colour to my Jungle Garden - Plant & Border Ideas

[@shineamen3107]

Amazing Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' All your bedding plants are beautiful, I won't name them, they know who they are! Lol I love the gorgeous deep blue colour of the Salvia 'Amistad' The Gunnera is like: "Sorry Sir, no trespassing!" Lol. What a beautiful and coloured Jungle! See you George! 🙋‍♂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Bernard and yes, the Gunnera is certainly guarding the entrance to the beautiful colours beyond! I hope you're enjoying the sun on your travels!

[@missdimples1982]

I am so glad I missed the terrible weather whilst visiting Montenegro 🇲🇪

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh wow, you chose the right time to go then! I hope you had a great time!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

👌👌👌👌The extra rain we’ve had has definitely boosted them Gunnera an the garden looks great.😂👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, it has indeed! The leaves have never been so big!

[@k.424]

You might like the hardy fuchsia Sunray, its variegated with a pink flush 😀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for the heads up, one I'll add to my list thanks!

[@wiebestuive824]

In my garden Hedychium Assam Orange offers two great things which none of my other gingers do: bright red berries in October and eggyolk-yellow autumn colour of the leaves in November.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That's very interesting and I must confess I didn't know about either of those benefits! Autumn interest is a big one for me so I'm excited to to see the plants later in the year, thanks for the info! What low temperatures have they taken in your garden?

[@Tminus89]

I've not added Heuchera in my garden yet, had about 5 species in my original plan. 1 tip if you're searching for some, start online. I've seen at least 50 species while most shops only have 5 at most. Chances are you'll find better suited varieties for the spot you want to fill, or that one tint that goes great with the plants you want to pair it with :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Great tip and you're completely right! There's a few Heuchera specialists everywhere it seems and there's a whole rainbow of colours available! No need to settle for what the buyer at your local garden centre has chosen...

[@Tminus89]

Many people in The Netherlands have lost their Ensete this spring, I've read plenty in a palm group on FB. One of mine is doing fine, had to cut the other one back because the leaves were getting smaller and smaller. It pushed out new growth fast, so should be fine :) Lovely Spider's Web, mine looks like that as well. The older vs the new, pretty cool. As if there's 2 varieties one 1 stem. Edit: Only a bit of browning on the leaves of the first mentioned Ensete, the leaf structure is still intact so no edges that are crumbling. I'm not worried :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That's interesting to hear, I wonder why! It sounds like your one with the smaller leaves was displaying an issue called 'the strangles' and chopping it back as you have done usually sorts it. The browning is certainly an ongoing issue with mine but hopefully yours are OK. Yes, the 'Spider's Web' is beautiful isn't it, such a lovely contrast between the old and new foliage!

[@irismoles9369]

Garden is looking good George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Iris, it's coming together again - I can't take the credit for it this year as the plants have done most of it themselves with very little interference and just one morning of tidying up and planting out the tenders last week!

[@jameshorton8404]

Wheres all your slugs?! They've been driving me mad this spring. I've aload of coleus, daliahs, begonias etc I still don't dare planting out. The little gits will just eat them😢. Great video again, cheers dude

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi James, thanks and apologies for my delayed reply. Sorry to hear about your garden struggles. There's slug damage here too, you just can't see it. Plants like my Ligularia seem to be a magnet for them and I just let them draw them away (hopefully) from other more precious plants. In future years, all I can really suggest is to try growing your bedding and Dahlias etc on in a polytunnel or greenhouse a bit longer before planting out. Even that isn't a guarantee they'll be left alone but larger plants are less likely to be completely taken out by damage and hopefully the sun will be warmer by early June and get them growing away stronger quickly rather than being a bit shocked and slow to grow in May.

[@helenazzopardi1713]

Hi George, the garden is looking great. Would love to see further down the garden

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Helena! If you haven't seen down there then check out one of my recent fire pit project videos from last month. I'll have an updated one up soon when I'm able to make more progress (and take some weeds out!) down there, hopefully later this month.

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Great to see the tour George. My strategy has been very similar this year. Very few tenders, just dark leaved flowering begonias from hardware store and your begonia grandis also. Most of my garden now full of hardy palmy goodness inc trachy hybrids to keep the place acceptable all year round. Summers too short up here for lots of my garden to be dedicated to tenders as they'd be bugger all to look at for 10 months per year😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Mr Calzone and I especially appreciate your kind words, given the level of efficiency and, dare I say it, 'compromise' on display rather than all out exotica. It's definitely a journey isn't it and I completely understand where you're coming from. May is the planting out month for tenders, it can easily be late June before they really grow (given a spring without consistent heat or sun) and the trade off for a packed garden from July to September can easily be quite an empty garden for the rest of the year like you say. I'm still very much open to a mix of both but while we have a young family and I enjoy making videos on here, a lower 'maintenance' garden based on tough evergreens and reliable perennials with a scattering of experiments and a few finishing bedding plant touches ticks the boxes for me right now. Yes, more colourful Colocasia etc. would look fantastic in there but mostly reliant on a warm summer and lots of watering AND somewhere bright indoors to keep them over winter. If hardier and reliable gingers combined with exotic foliage from the Begonia grandis etc along with the Trachycarpus can create a similar overall look then all is good for me currently! I've still got a few big pots of Cannas and gingers I can wheel in to ramp up the summer vibes though!

[@db6625]

Another enjoyable video, thanks👍 Like the choice of coleus, I’ve just planted my grown from seed, deep red……..next year I’ll try similar to yours for that ‘splash’ of colour. In the last 2 weeks I’ve visited at least six nurseies looking for P. Red Dragon to no avail……..seeing yours reminded me to keep looking.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, thank you very much and apologies for my delayed reply. Good work on the Coleus, I do like the deep reds! Have you tried looking online for Red Dragon? It's maybe a bit specialist currently for most normal garden centres but should be pretty standard for a lot of exotics sellers.

[@db6625]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden hi, thanks, since I wrote the above I’ve managed to find one and have just potted up some cuttings I took of it……two weeks in water and already rooted!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Ahh fantastic, nice one!

[@heatherfindler6950]

Hi George. I know the video is about summer colour, but that Gunnera is something else!! I have a Lobeila Russian princess. I love the dark leaves and the height with the flowers. My Fatsia spiders webs are doing really well. As for the Enseste, one is fine, the other is like yours with the brown crispy leaves. Thankfully for me it's only small. I was wondering if it's a virus? It also took a while to get going after overwintering. Anyway, I will just see how it goes over the next few months. Another great video George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Heather and thank you very much, apologies for my delayed reply! Yes, the Gunnera is just a little bit crazy isn't it! I'll film an update soon as I don't think it's ever been this big. Thanks for the heads up about 'Russian Princess', it's a beauty and I can really see it working with a lot of the exotics. Pleased to hear your Fatsias are growing well and hopefully your Ensete bounces back. I agree it's likely something viral and I'm giving mine this summer to perform or there'll be a change up in the garden next year, we'll see. Thanks and I hope you're enjoying the sun!

[@Tminus89]

Your Grandis looks the right colour, my Grandis (Evansiana I believe) is more yellow than green currently. It is in permanent shade, developing plenty of leaves so I guess it's healthy. Have you seen this in your garden before?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I haven't seen that here before, well, only in late autumn once the cold comes. Apologies for the delayed replies, have they greened up yet?

[@Tminus89]

​@@GeorgesJungleGarden no worries. Yes they are looking greener, should be fine :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, pleased to hear it.

[@wesleyhackney]

I loved your point about repetition. I’ve worked hard this year on that point in my tropical garden and am enjoying the results it really makes a difference. Saw your green giant, that plant is a favorite of mine and added even more this year. Those leaves can get really large. You should try canna Musafolia it’s a beautiful green & dark burgundy leaves grows to 8’ very easy fast growing. I would love to get some Persicaria, think I’m going to have to order it online.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and yes, I'm sure your amazing garden will really come together with some more repeated plants! I'm looking forward to the green giant sizing up with those lovely, glossy leaves. I have a few big pots of Canna musifolia, it's great isn't it! So fast to gain height and also rhizome mass for splitting up in future years. Good luck with your Persicaria hunt, there's some interesting forms available!

[@kathrynleithall5906]

Assam orange is my best ginger. Love heuchera but always seem to lose a couple through vine weevil. I tend to infill with ferns everywhere now. I'm fed up with slugs & snails despite having a large wildlife pond & lots of birds so I end up repeat planting with things they don't like.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Great to hear thanks Kathryn, I'd heard from several people it's one of the most reliable gingers so it's one that I've taken the chance on and can't wait to see perform. As for the Heuchera, yes, vine weevil can be a real issue can't they and I've also added more ferns to the garden this spring. Even for those of us who tackle slugs and snails by encouraging wildlife, it's been a tricky year for them hasn't it. Hopefully the warmth this week keeps them down and gives the plants a fighting chance to outgrow them!

[@PaulConnor100]

George your garden has filled out well again.I just looked at my 2ft Ensete which I dry stored and harding off now. I do notice some dryness on bottom of the trunk but new leaves shooting for sky with no damage and 1 of my Trachy's is flowering for the first time. George have you thought of planting Bromeliads outside I bought some and stole another one of your ideas, Salvia's and looking some orange nasturtium soon. 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Paul and apologies for my delayed reply. Yes, it's done alright considering the milder spring! Pleased to hear your Ensete made it and is looking healthy and congratulations on your first time Trachy flowering, that's always exciting. I've got a few Fascicularia bromeliads here but have also planted out a Billbergia nutans I picked up from our Sunk Island trip. I'm more than happy for any of my ideas to be taken, chances are I got them from somebody else in the first place! I hope they all grow well for you.

[@PaulConnor100]

@GeorgesJungleGarden what is the soil mixture and how are the Billbergia doing haven't plant mine out yet.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Paul, doing just fine here but summer was never going to be the problem! I've got mine tucked into a little corner of my jungle planting where the soil is raised up lightly and the drainage isn't too bad. Partial sun and they're close to the front of the border for good airflow and so they don't get swamped.

[@neilyenny]

Hi George. I had the same markings on the Ensete last year. Nothing similar yet, admittedly everything seems that bit slower this year. I am growing Miscanthus Giganteus for the first time and am hoping for some big results! Nasturtiums are popping up everywhere too.. I didn't sow any so thats a bonus. 😅. Thanks for your videos.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and apologies for my delayed reply. Hopefully the recent sun has created a surge of growth and I'm pleased to hear your Ensete is coming on well. Miscanthus x giganteus is a solid choice, it'll hopefully grow well for you this year and be even bigger and better going forwards! As for your nasturtiums, winner winner - free / surprise plants that you actually want are definitely a bonus! Thanks for watching and I hope your garden continues to grow well this summer.

[@bryanmohney7890]

Hi George, my red bananas also had that leaf damage this year pulling them out of dry storage. But, after a few leaves pushed out, they started being full and normal again. Wonder if it was just some damage from the dry storage. Bet yours will be fine in a few weeks!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Bryan and apologies for my delayed reply. I'm pleased to hear your Ensete are doing well! Unfortunately my Ensete displayed this issue all through last summer but I've giving them this summer to hopefully bounce back. If they don't I'll be considering something else leafy and tropical looking in their place!

[@markdraycott3974]

Hi George, great channel 👌🏻 Could you please advise on exactly how much direct sun the dicksonia Tree ferns can withstand, nowhere in my garden is really shaded but some areas receive full sun for only half the day.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey Mark and thanks! DAs can take full sun just fine in the majority of UK gardens, no problem. You will get shorter fronds and they'll likely require more moisture to thrive but they will cope. Somewhere between sun and shade like the areas in your garden should be no problem at all, ideally choose somewhere that's sheltered from strong winds and you're sorted!

[@craignorthern9480]

Hi George my ensete murelii are the same. Last year I had an aphid probably. I think that's what is causing this.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hmmm, sorry to hear that Craig and there's definitely something up. I suspect it's something viral which may be spread by aphids etc.

[@johnwilson4899]

Hi George, great video as always. My red bananas are just the same as yours. I was about to give up on them until I saw yours. I will give them a bit longer. As for a disease I don't know. I am in Yorkshire, so I thought it was because of the weather. Who knows.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi John and apologies for my delayed reply. Thanks for your feedback and I suspect it may be some kind of viral / fungal issue which the weather may have played some role in. To be honest, I'm giving mine this year to see if they bounce back and if they don't, I'll try something different (which doesn't require overwintering inside) next time round. Good luck with yours!

[@markchitty6505]

Great vid George.... some great plants and colours, along with the rest of your garden... my Ensete no leaf damage or anything to note, but all my Musa Basjoo have the same issue with the leaves ???

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey Mark and apologies for my delayed reply. Thanks! I'm pleased to hear your Ensete is doing well. As for your Musa basjoo, that's perfectly normal on the first opening leaves, they soon get damage after weakly emerging and getting zapped by the warmer sun. Hopefully it's pushing some stronger green leaves out now!

[@markchitty6505]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Hi George, funny thing is the last two leaves on my Ensete have dry leaf damage.... strange ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hmmm, hopefully it pushes through better leaves when we do eventually get some more consistent warmth!

[@thecornishbiker9323]

Ive got the browning on my ensete and i thought it maybe sun scorch as the new leafs try to adapt to the hi uv light but not sure. Ive got 2 in partial shade that arnt showing signs. Could just be coincidence though. Might also be the small roots cant take up enough nutrients to grow lush leafs until they get fuller.?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I appreciate your solid reasoning but it was an issue for mine all summer last year so I suspect a virus / fungal / pest issue. Hopefully yours makes a full recovery!

[@modokomodo]

I've been doing some research and love the look of Persicaria. My only nagging doubt is that it's listed as a knotweed. Is it safe to grow?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, apologies for the delayed reply, that's a valid concern but the varieties I regularly feature (Purple Fantasy, Red Dragon etc.) are absolutely nowhere near as 'invasive'. Purple Fantasy probably spreads the most but you can easily remove it, no problem at all. No deep roots and no problem with self seeding so I can recommend any of the sorts I grow without concerns. In fact, it's the toughness and vigour that makes them such reliable and adaptable garden plants for many garden border conditions and situations.

[@samcress123]

Leaf damage looks physical. Is it possible the wind has blown another plant into it while young? Odd one

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, definitely not physical, there's no bit marks and it happened all year long last year. I suspect something viral / fungal transmitted via aphid etc. but I'm giving them this summer to sort themselves out. Fingers crossed!

[@adrianjennison4123]

Hi George my ensete mauralie are not getting very tall I have them in pots .they are getting thicker and putting out leaves would planting them out help .thanks Adrian

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Adrian and apologies for my delayed reply. Whilst they may grow better in the ground, you can still get some beasty Ensete in pots with a large enough pot and sufficient watering and feeding. It's perfectly normal for them to be getting chunkier and if they're growing leaves, they're healthy and the height will come later in summer.

[@adrianjennison4123]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks george

[@mariebirkitt]

Hi George where do you get all your information regarding plants. I've only managed to find 1 book on jungle or tropical plants and its American based

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, good question! Most of it I get from other growers over on Facebook groups (Hardy Tropicals & Tropical / Jungle Style Gardening UK), talking with other enthusiasts and KZbin but I've also got quite a collection of exotic gardening books. Philip Oostenbrink's 'The Jungle Garden' is a great modern and accessible place to start.

[@NeilLindsaySutherland]

Hiya George, quick question. I was wondering how many times a week do you water your bananas? 👍🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I haven’t needed to water them at all yet - other than one general garden watering a week or so ago. They will need regular watering if they’re in pots - depending on the size and compost maybe a couple of times a week in larger pots or more regularly in smaller sizes while it’s warmer over summer. They’re not a plant that ‘needs’ a huge amount of moisture but you don’t want to let them dry out and how much they grow is very dependent on how much heat / water / feed they get so they will respond well more water while it’s warm and dry.

[@NeilLindsaySutherland]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden cheers mate, the problem I have is that I think I’ve watered them a bit too much because the leaves have started to droop down so I’ll probably just let them try out a bit now and then give them a good feed next week 👍🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hopefully they've bounced back by now but I'm sure they will when we (eventually) get some consistent heat!

[@tommiegeudens7277]

Hi George, I was wondering if you have any experience with Mediterranean myrtle (Myrtus communis). Perhaps you know if they grow well in the UK and how much frost they take?

[@bloggalot4718]

No problem growing in Shropshire year after year.

[@tommiegeudens7277]

@@bloggalot4718 Cool, what's the coldest it has seen so far?

[@bloggalot4718]

@@tommiegeudens7277 Ithas been in a south western corner about ten years, I raised it from seed.

[@tommiegeudens7277]

@@bloggalot4718 Great that they grow so well over there. The variety called Myrtus Communis var. Tarentina is said to tolerate -15C sometimes. Have you experienced similar temps?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi @tommiegeudens7277, I haven't had any experience personally so it's great of you to step in @bloggalot4718 - thanks for the info!

[@39chevy44]

Hi George, the garden looks great and everything is finally coming to life, my only let down this years is the cannas they seem to be stunted, only the mustaflora is thriving. Let’s hope for some more sun and hot weather. Superb video again. Cheers Paul.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Paul, thank you very much and apologies for my delayed reply. Hopefully you've enjoyed the recent summer spell and hopefully we continue to get a mix of heavy rain during thunderstorms and glorious summer sun! I imagine your cannas have picked up this week?

[@gloriousgloria3327]

My Ensete failed to come back from dry storage this year 😢

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh no, sorry to hear that. They're not the most reliable plant to overwinter, sorry yours didn't make it. Hopefully you've got something else to fill the gap in your garden.