Exotic Garden in Canada 2021 Part 1 Front Garden 4K60P

[@texastropics]

It still blows my mind what you're doing - You must have the most tropical garden in Ontario. Your neighbours are very lucky to have such a nice view in summer.

[@GreenDragan]

So nice of you, thanks Tropical PDX. People travel out of their way to go passed my house. Some daily walkers change their routes just to see what's new in the garden. Others have booked tours from hundreds of kilometers away to prove for themselves that it is real.

[@texastropics]

@@GreenDragan That's great, next time I come back to visit I'll have to ask where you are exactly, I'd love to see it. I have friends in KW which is where I think you have said you're located.

[@GreenDragan]

@@texastropics always glad to visit with fellow gardeners.

[@dpeisz]

You have absolutely one of the most beautiful and impressive gardens here in Ontario. Never thought it was possible. But you now prove it is doable. I’m amazed. Love To learn the upkeep and maintenance.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! It is a nonstop learning process over the decades.

[@GrowTropicalMK]

The Cordyline Fruticosa is absolutely popping. My favourite plant in your garden and believe me its a hard choice!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you for watching!

[@dadobawomazomba1240]

Gardening is therapeutic you even forget the existence of this world with its woes and you just float in that beauty of colours and peace❤️❤️❤️👍🇿🇦

[@GreenDragan]

I agree. A very relaxing hobby.

[@Expressiontropicale]

Wow, very nice garden ! Like to see more and more people like us bringing tropics here in Canada :)

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Expressiontropicale. I agree, more people should push the limits of what we grow in northern gardens. Cheers.

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

I'm a amateur gardener in NE Uk with an exotic style garden. I'm trying to persuade friends locally of what they can grow in the Uk to get a tropical look. I always tell people of your achievements in Ontario against all climate odds as an example of what can be done with experience and motivation. First class Dragan. Superb as always

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Vincenze Calzone! We should all push the limits and with a lot of experimenting and repeated effort even adding one palm tree will give a more tropical look. Happy gardening.

[@marcusdosh408]

I know the feeling I live in south shields....

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

@@marcusdosh408 Hi Marcus. Are you on Instagram? It'd be great to see pics of your garden👍. I'm on lnsta, same profile name as KZbin 👍

[@Sandor68]

Always enjoy seeing your amazing garden! Thanks for sharing Dragan 👍😁🌴

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Sandor!

[@adamp.mytravels]

Jestem pod wrażeniem 😍 piękny ogród i rośliny 🌱👍💪🖐️ pozdrawiam gorąco

[@GreenDragan]

Many thanks!

[@gregslaski6956]

Beautiful like always. You have amazing garden. Great job dragon 🐉👍🏻.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you kindly Greg! Cheers.

[@sophien5416]

Your garden is such an inspiration. I hope one day I can create something as beautiful 😍

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! Anything is possible with good planning, and long term consitant effort. Cheers.

[@MyPlantWorld]

Beautiful exotic garden

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much!

[@zeeknboke]

Hi Dragan: It was great to meet you today. Thank you SO much for creating these beautiful gardens, and giving pleasure to so many people. The tour videos are amazing; I've been through once, but will tour again to try to keep some of the information in my head. Cheers, Gary

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Gary. People come from near and far to get a glimpse to confirm these exotic looking plants are real and glean information to feed their gardening passion. Cheers.

[@TheEsther58]

Your garden is so beautiful ! Thanks for sharing .

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you so much!

[@patricebarbary1675]

Wow all this in your zone very impressive

[@GreenDragan]

With enough effort longterm anything is possible!

[@LindasFlowersandVegetablesGard]

Very creative in zone 5!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you so much!

[@chriswoudstra765]

Amazing. Speechless. I live in Port Dover, Ontario and I have lush tropical gardens. But I move 40 of them into the house for the winter and 10 into a greenhouse for 8 months. How do you enclose your plants for the cold months!?!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! For the most part any plant in a container is brought inside. All the large palms and exotics are in the ground permanently. They are over wintered with cold frames and heated with C-9 Christmas lights. I have a two part detailed video on my winter protection techniques for zone 5B. Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY

[@celiaallen6798]

Wow,this is an entire Caribbean Island.

[@GreenDragan]

Thanks! The large number of plant varieties gives it a lush tropical vibe.

[@celiaallen6798]

@@GreenDragan love your channel.keep the videos coming❤from 🇯🇲.You sure do have a beautifullllllllllllllll piece of paradise.

[@BebaPetrovic]

Predivno! Sve pohvale Dragane

[@GreenDragan]

Hvala vam puno!

[@TropicalGardening]

Amazing garden!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you for visiting Tropical Gardening!

[@derekscheshirepalmgardenuk]

Amazing variety of plants and excellent positioning. I have similar tastes I'm in the northwest of England probably 9A zone.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you for watching. Happy gardening.

[@cboaustralia]

Great detailed tour green dragon love your garden it really dose take you away to another place it must take you a lot of hours every day to keep it looking like that. Beautiful and peaceful garden a slice of paradise thankyou for sharing with us all so many great gardens people are sharing on youtube the community is growing

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Chris Mac life. During the spring until early summer it can take me 8 to 10 hours a day at my age. Late summer onwards just watering and weeding can take an hour or so daily, each front and back garden. Cheers.

[@idaniamorales6058]

Beautiful

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@selvychristy1965]

I love your plumeria. They are pretty ❤️

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Selvy. They are one of my favourites as well.

[@eleanorkerr5709]

Thanks for the tour in your real garden. Awesome.

[@GreenDragan]

Glad you enjoyed it Eleanor. It is my pride and joy.

[@yvonnewynter3514]

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! Glad you liked it.

[@catherinemooney3590]

Wow! Awesome garden!!🌱💚

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Catherine!

[@supriyantiyanti6933]

It's really great, I love those plans ❤️. Love from Indonesia

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much!

[@1221Estelle]

You have an amazing tropical garden! I am doing my best to create an allure of a lush tropical paradise but find it very challenging. Thanks for sharing your beautiful garden.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Estelle Oloresisimo. I suggest you visit some local botanical gardens or parks taking notes on what plants they are using and that appeal you. Take lots of notes and photos and speak with the gardeners if possible to better plan your own future plants choices. A lot of planning and research goes into deciding what plant goes where. Cheers.

[@1221Estelle]

Thank you so much for your advice. I will try to visit local botanical gardens. Part of the challenge in growing tropical plants in my location is the type of soil we have.

[@GreenDragan]

@@1221Estelle soil may need to be amended for some plants, or add compost or manure annually and mix it in. Over time soil can be improved. Cheers.

[@CROSSBOWSTEALTH]

Absolutely stunning.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you so much!

[@mayitaquinterodeguerra7919]

Que hermosura 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@GreenDragan]

Muchas gracias.

[@madroneroc]

Just subscribed to your channel. Be moving to CA soon and been looking for a channel like this! Be using your vid for reference. I’a tropical at heart! 😍

[@GreenDragan]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bloggalot4718]

Stunning garden, thanks for posting.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Blogg Alot! More exotics in part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYHOeIuihKiKbbM

[@Ruth1803ZigZag]

That was inspiring and now I want to see the rest of it AND see what you do for winter storage. Will I find a video with that info?

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Ruth! I have made a two part detailed video on winter protection. Part 1 is design and planning kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and part 2 is building the cold frames and installation.

[@1221Estelle]

Thank you for sending helpful information. So far, the only plants I have ordered online are annuals like ranunculus.

[@GreenDragan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MyTrips]

Hello Dragan. Any chance to make some photos or video of your amazing garden.

[@GreenDragan]

HI My Trips. No problem.

[@floresnojardimencantado]

Nossa lindo 🥰🥰😍

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much!

[@bethmarquez2386]

Wow, amazingly beautiful oasis. What part of Ontario?

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Beth Marquez. Located in Waterloo region.

[@rickduyck3583]

Amazing Gardens! I've started some Musa Basjoo this year and am wondering about the care for the Red Banana you show in this video .Thanks!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Rick. Care for the red bananas Enste Ventricosum Maurelii , depends on what zone you are in. In colder zones dig them up, cut off all the old leaves, dry off, store in cool frost free place then replant in large pot or in the ground next spring after danger of frost. If you have the room pot up, place in sunny spot indoors and grow though the winter. Happy gardening.

[@rickduyck3583]

@@GreenDragan I should have mentioned I'm down in Windsor zone 7a. Best to still dig these out for the winter I assume? Thanks again.

[@GreenDragan]

@@rickduyck3583 most of these exotics will grow much beefier the longer they stay in the ground. It will depend on if you are willing to invest in the time and money to to build a shelter and heat it through the winter (at 10C if possible for the red bananas) and periodically ventilate. Please watch my two part videos on winterizing plants for a detailed look at what is involved. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY. The easiest thing is to lift them and store dry indoors.

[@rickduyck3583]

@@GreenDragan I watched the two videos again, great information. Yes I hope to start small next year with some cold frames and c9 bulbs. I'm looking forward to this being a retirement hobby in a few years. Do you find you can achieve 10 Celsius with c9 bulbs alone or do you need a different heat source? (Hope you don't mind all the questions!) Of course my area will be different then yours so I will have to experiment. Keep the videos coming, they are a great inspiration!!!!

[@GreenDragan]

Hi @@rickduyck3583 , it is possible. The cold frames if made accurately are quite air tight and well insulated if using twin walled poly carbonate. The banana plant is stripped of all but the newest leaves 2 or 3, wrapped with frost cloth, creating a tent around the plant wrapped with a string or two depending on the trunk diameter. After 2 or three years the trunk can be 18-24 inches at the base. With a decent thermostat, selected temperature can be kept within 1/2 degree Celsius. The entire cold frame can be wrapped with a single piece of 10 foot wide vapour barrier plastic and sealed with 2inch wide shipping tape.

[@hlatino03]

Everything is beautiful.....but how is he keeping these many tropical plants outdoors in the winter.....what does he do? I live in NC and I cannot keep my tropical plants outside all year round....I will need to bring them inside during the winter.......

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! My tender plants have a series of cold frames place around them. I have a two part video giving details on the my process. Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY

[@skatecovington]

I love all your video content and I'm usually watching for information on your palm trees, but can you talk about how you over winter your bougainvillea? Maybe you did one already on video and I missed it? I have 4 plants that I have had forever but I would love to keep them outside (Zone 6) with protection like I do all my palms.

[@GreenDragan]

All my palms and exotics are overwintered the same way. A twin walled polycarbonate cold frame heated with C9 Christmas lights plugged into a thermostat keeping temps 35-45 F or 2-7 C.

[@skatecovington]

@@GreenDragan Thank you!!!

[@afghanpigeons6887]

Amazing. How do you over winter your tropical plants?

[@GreenDragan]

Container grown plants are brought inside and any tropical plants in the ground have a cold frame put up around then, then wrapped with a string of C9 bulbs plugged into a thermostat to keep them warm. I have 13 cold frames in the front garden alone range in size from 2x2ft. to 4x18 ft. .Cheers.

[@afghanpigeons6887]

@@GreenDragan thank you. Impressive. A lot of hard work, but worthwhile seeing the results

[@Frank-pe9pk]

How do you keep that many tropical plants alive during winter. Here in central west coast of Florida, we would lose many of those plants in a very cold snap.

[@GreenDragan]

Frank, all of the largest plants and the foundation plantings that are permanently in the ground are covered with cold frames. At last count 13 cold frames in the front garden, range in size from 2x2 ft. x 8-10 or 12 ft. tall. The largest one is about 4x18 ft. x 10 ft. tall. The potted plants are brought indoors. See my winter protection videos for more details part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY Cheers

[@Fittrendz]

You must be joking?? I’m close to your zone and this is incredible . What do you do come our not so tropical winters? 😂 You have a massive sky dome back there too?

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! All the palms and exotics inground get winter protection, A cold frame and C-9 Christmas lights on a thermostat. Container plants are move indoors. For more details on winter protection watch my two part videos kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 Cheers

[@stellastylianou2327]

I have battled for many years in our Mediterranean climate to get exotics to thrive and only manage the ones that have been tried and tested in this climate. Hot summers that can get to 40 degrees and cold winters that can sometimes go down to 1-4 below 0. Most of my tender exotics do well in filtered sunlight but still the garden is not as lush as yours. I think the temperate summer climate is one that all plants need. How do you cover these exotics in your harsh winter?

[@GreenDragan]

Hot summer can be a challenge. Watering regularly can be key, some plants must be watered twice a day. All of my plants get winter protection. They are covered with cold frames and heated as needed. The duration of EXTREME cold periods in our zone 5B can last 5-6 months, while your Mediterranean climate perhaps a few days to weeks. Please watch my videos on winter protection.

[@1221Estelle]

I am really impressed and surprised with the variety of tropical and sub-tropical plants you have in your garden. When you first started your tropical garden, did you import some of the plants from tropical countries or did you buy those plants from a tropical plant nursery in your area?

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Estelle Oloresisimo. My collection process started more than three decades ago, before internet and access to information about nurseries and there stock even in my own province. There was a lot of discussion with like minded people and some mail order catalogues. I have traveled hundreds of kilometers in all directions to source plants and speak to knowledgeable people and step by step here we are. Now I regularly buy online and order from larger nurseries who are willing to supply rarer plants from Florida and the deep south.

[@sofiahelguera2217]

hermoso

[@GreenDragan]

¡Muchas gracias!

[@zwicknagel]

Hi Dragan, can you please show us, in next video, your 7ft. hibiscuses in fullsize? not only the flowers!

[@GreenDragan]

Hi zwicknagel. I will edit them in for part 2. Cheers.

[@zwicknagel]

@@GreenDragan That's great! Thank you! 🌺

[@EddyFeyen]

Well i just subscribed 🙂

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you for joining.

[@plantsnrockies]

Wow

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Plants n' rockies!

[@plantsnrockies]

@@GreenDragan your welcome, thats so inspiring, awesome work in our challenging climate.

[@KB-og4es]

I live in South East Manitoba ..zone 3b. Obviously any tropical I plant cannot survive our winters. Your zone is warmer...but how do you keep your tropicals alive? I am overwintering my banana, cassia and mohagany splendor hibiscus indoors. Can you suggest any other tropicals that I should try??

[@GreenDragan]

The sky is the limit for growing tropical plants depending on how much work you are willing to put into it. I have produce a two part detailed video on winter protection part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 covers design and planning and part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY about cold frames and protection methods. Cheers.

[@vegetable832]

What is the temperature for your place, I just wonder if 6a Chicago can grow these plants outside healthy.

[@GreenDragan]

Zone 6a is just a little milder than my zone 5B. All of my plants get winter protection with some form of heat. The majority get the C9 Christmas lights method. Either you build a cold frame or box method or teepee wrap them with incandescent bulbs, all will work in your zone.

[@dilkycorteling2586]

Please tell me how these survive the winter

[@GreenDragan]

I have created two detailed videos on winter protection methods if interested. Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY It is a lot of work at this scale but doable if you have the time and resources.

[@dilkycorteling2586]

Thank you. Yes I watched them and its impossible for me to believe what you have accomplished. Amazing

[@GreenDragan]

@@dilkycorteling2586 Thank you very much!

[@mnik8501]

What is your zone number, please? Are all those tropical planted in ground?

[@GreenDragan]

The garden is in zone 5B Ontario Canada. The tallest palms and exotics are in the ground . The smaller tropicals are accent plants are in containers that will be over wintered indoors for the winter. For a detailed look at my winterization methods watch this two part video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY Cheers.

[@vistaprime]

is there any concern your palms will grow to tall to winterize. What will you do in this case? will you call in a professional landscaping team etc to help with winterization?

[@GreenDragan]

No vistaprime. I build all of my own shelters and care for the plants by myself. What we do to grow exotics in our climate is so specialized that most landscape companies have no experience and would be of little help. They would need to be educated from scratch on the procedures and expectation for each plant type. Regional differences in soil types and microclimates will affect the success rate and the amount of work needed for the chosen plants as I have discovered. My realistic limit is my age. I have reached my maximum limit, currently 13 cold frames in the front garden for my exotics and 10 in the back, not counting mulching and tarps. My garage and greenhouse are at capacity and need to be downsized next year. Should the palms out grow their space they will be removed and others replace them. Nothing lasts forever. There are so many species to experiment with. Cheers.

[@vistaprime]

@@GreenDragan I see your points, but I optimistic that those landscaping companies that offer tree winterization can be trained, as long as you micromanage. I am not so willing to cut down any fauna due to weather. I am starting with only two palms to winterize so it may stay that way, which will make it more manageable years ahead. if I do move though, I will likely invest in a bigger tropical garden display with palms as the centerpieces, at that point I will likely call for back up. In any case, I enjoy watching your videos. I am a new subscriber but it's great to see this showcase in Ontario.

[@GreenDragan]

@@vistaprime when dealing with a smaller number of plants it is doable and a more enjoyable process. Should you need to remove a mature plant it is always after many. many years of enjoyment. Trees such as Pindos do transplant well if you remove a large enough root ball and usually don`t skip a beat. Thanks for watching.

[@ingerknudsen920]

Do you give out your adress so I can drive by? I love your garden and your videos They are very inspiring

[@GreenDragan]

Hi Inger. I would be happy to give you a personal tour. All the plants are now under cold frames. Spring and summer will give you a better impression. My personal e-mail is [e-mail]

[@humblepie9483]

Anybody know the bird call at 10:30?

[@GreenDragan]

The bird call is one of many created by the Blue Jay.

[@Hlegzudas]

What soil and fertilizer do you use?

[@GreenDragan]

Our soil is naturally sandy. Each year I amend with a thick layer of sheep manure or horse manure and wood chip mulch. This breaks down and the plants love it.

[@Hlegzudas]

@@GreenDragan Thank you!

[@sirikunyacrochet]

Beautiful

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much!

[@premajeyatharan5276]

How do you keep these plants for winter months?

[@GreenDragan]

All the plants in ground are covered with cold frames and heated with C9 Christmas lights. The container plants are brought inside. For more details watch my two part winter protection methods kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep-aiZ2Pis6ijs0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGaTqnWjeqyGfZY