Plant Shopping for a Lush & Leafy UK Jungle Garden

Today’s video is all about the easy to grow, beautiful and exciting plants I’d recommend for beginners starting a UK jungle style garden and comes from Linden Nurseries near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire (Ermine Street, Appleby, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 0BZ). The huge array of unusual and striking plants available at garden centres, nurseries and online these days can definitely be overwhelming and it’s hard to know what will grow well in your garden and how much care they may need. I look at some of the low maintenance and tough plant ideas available at this nursery to form the basis of a lush UK jungle garden paradise along with care and planting tips. From Fastsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’ to Schefflera taiwaniana, there’s certainly some exciting plants you can buy even on a small budget. There’s so many more choices available though whether you’re creating a full on jungle garden, a lush leafy border or pot and container display but hopefully these plant ideas get you started on your jungle garden adventure. It’s not just exotic specimen plants though, plenty of ‘regular’ plants like ferns, hostas, climbers and grasses can all be used to create the effect of a jungle and I look at my companion or filler plant choices at this nursery - perfect for tying a garden together, filling gaps in borders and softening the edges of hard landscaping. The jungle style can be perfect for transforming a shady garden, making the most of a small garden and also creating a cool, calming retreat full of lush greens through all the seasons.
Coming up next in this mini series are my choices for a tropical garden style, more great plants to combine with these jungle beauties if you love big leaves, bold colours and fast growing wonders to your garden so stay tuned! A big thanks to my local plant nursery Linden Nurseries for letting me film there (not a sponsored vid even if I sound like I'm on the shopping channel at some points!). If you can show them some love by visiting and maybe leave a review online once you’ve seen their huge range of amazing pots and lovely plants at fair prices I’m sure it will be appreciated!
0:00 Intro
0:12 Easy, hardy & low maintenance plants for a UK jungle garden
2:43 Fatsia japonica - tough, hardy & evergreen exotic plant
5:19 Fastsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ - easy to grow jungle plant
6:52 Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’ - Variegated evergreen exotic for shade
8:38 Hardy Schefflera taiwaniana - an evergreen exotic for jungle gardens
9:46 Schefflera taiwaniana UK growing & care tips
12:36 Trachycarpus fortunei - add instant exotic impact with an easy windmill palm tree
14:39 Climbers to bring a jungle vibe and make the most of vertical surfaces
15:19 Ferns - plant a packed, leafy border with these green shade plants
17:47 My plant purchases and UK jungle garden ideas
If you enjoy my videos and would like to say thanks for the price of a coffee then please head over to my Ko-fi here, any kind donations would be appreciated and all money is put towards creating more exciting content: ko-fi.com/georgesjunglegarden​​

[@Ulfhedhner]

Ayyyy George is back!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, hopefully getting back to more regular videos after a busy few months 😃

[@user-nu1hz1mt7s]

it would be nice if we had a summer to start a tropical garden !!! when we getting a full on tour of your jungle george !! take care buddy

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, it’s definitely been a long time since some warmth now but we can dream! I’ve not really planted out a summer display this year but I’ll try and do a look around of how everything is growing soon for my regular watchers! Thanks, you too 👍

[@cindyrichards9471]

Thank you George. Great ideas as usual.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Cindy, I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

[@franconianable]

Thanks. Always enjoy your videos.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it!

[@fraserdavidson2366]

Always makes my day when you give us another video George. Thank you. Beautiful nursery and great video. I need a spiders web fatsia to go with my other fatsias..

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Ahh thanks, that’s nice of you! It’s a lovely nursery, always friendly and well kept. You’ll definitely love a Spider’s Web I’m sure 😃

[@lindadevuyst9311]

Definitely add hardy banana to your list, callas and cannas

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Great choices, I may just have some of those coming up in my section about big leaves and a summer tropical display 😃

[@tedscott1478]

​@@GeorgesJungleGardentalking of big leaves, also consider big hostas like Empress Wu, Big Daddy and Sum and Substance, they can get huge and they're great for ground cover especially in damp or shady areas. Under those big leaves the weeds don't stand a chance!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@tedscott1478 A few of my favourites there! You're completely right, with a mixture of mulching and big leaves I rarely have to pull any weeds out of my more shaded jungle area!

[@wiebestuive824]

Great to see another of your videos, George. A tip from my own experience: Coniogrammes emeiensis are not very hardy. I lost mine when we had a week of severe winter weather in 2021. Start protecting around minus 10.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you, trying to get back to more regular vids after a busy few months. Yes, they’re definitely something I’d mulch during a prolonged freeze or save for a more sheltered area, thanks for heads up. They’ve got a lovely look to them though 😃

[@mikedinni6318]

I find fatsia spiders web very slow growing. It's probably doubled it's original size in 4 years. Standard japonica will double it's size in a season though

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Yeah, they definitely get to a point then slow down but they seem to size up nicely from 1 foot tall to 3/4 feet and I suspect with more summer moisture they'd grow faster. Japonica is definitely the faster one though, they're rapid when they're happy!

[@samanthalonghurst-howes1465]

Enjoyed hanging out with you again George. Love the ferns and the beautiful Canna that was in the background. Looking forward to your next vid. Xxx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, pleased you enjoyed it! I thought it was time to do a few back to basics vids about what exotics you can actually buy in most ‘normal’ garden centres and nurseries, that lovely Canna might just be making an appearance in my next more tropical episode 😃 Thanks and see you soon!

[@GotoHere]

Grow papaya trees. Big leaves, easy to grow from seeds. Buy organic one from supermarket will give you hundreds of seeds. Soak in water for a few days. Scatter in garden. In a few weeks 1 inch tall trees, in 1 month 6 inch tall trees, in 2 months 24” tall trees, in 3 months 48” to 56” tall trees.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’m not sure we’d had quite the heat to grow much like that here this summer but they could definitely be an interesting option with either a greenhouse start or a direct planting in mid May and a nice hot summer 😃

[@pedrolunawildlife7792]

Good video as always george! The growth of the fatsia japonica can be incredibly fast, last year I planted a small plant (2 two hands high) in the garden and this year it is already over 2 meters tall

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! Wow, that’s some impressive growth for sure 😃 What kind of conditions do you have it in?

[@wesleyhackney]

Good choices today. They all come together for a great starter tropical garden. I’d add a few bromeliads neoregelias for a pop of color

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! I tried to focus on the U.K. hardy evergreens did this vid but I’m sure that anyone who enjoys growing them will rapidly be experimenting with more unusual exotics and some more colourful and tender summer additions 😃

[@DonMurrayYT]

Good to see you back George, hope you’re all well. I’ve already started a new exotic/jungle garden and have used all of these suggestions, it’s looking okay, especially after the rain we’ve had. I’d say a tetrapanax as an initial investment too, I bought a biggish one for £40, and it’s now roaring away. Could be my new favourite. ( No space for a gunnera unfortunately.) Also I have a few Ricinus too; easy to grow and practically instant canopy. Lastly grasses: I have Arundo donax (huge already) and hakonechloa for softening shady boundaries. Lots of flowers this year too but that might change. Thanks George, your advice has been invaluable.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Don, all good here thanks and I hope you are too! Tetrapanax nearly made it into this vid but I thought I’d feature them in the next more tropical episode so there’s a bit of an evergreen / big summer leaves split. Obviously you definitely can combine the styles! Ricinus are rapid aren’t they, great for a new garden and from pics I’ve seen of other people’s, they seem to have grown well despite the cooler summer. Arundo donax is a great choice too, I used to have it as a rear of the border plant at our old house, it works well with the big Miscanthus grasses. Hakonechloa just missed out on being in this vid but it’s one of my favourite small grasses and so handy for a shady border edge you’re right 😃 Thank you very much and it’s great to hear it’s all coming together well for you.

[@GrahamHenderson25x]

good to see you giving Linden Nurseries a well deserved plug 👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! Yes, it’s a lovely family-run nursery and they all work so hard to help people and keep the plants in top condition so I’m more than happy to share the love 😊

[@39chevy44]

Lovely to see you back again George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, it’s been a busy few months but hopefully getting back into a routine now and slightly more regular videos 😃

[@shineamenmbs3107]

Beautiful selection here! For some unknown reasons, i missed this video until now, and i commented on you Tree fern in the UK video from 2 years ago.... Little Bernie getting old? Lol. I Hope you are fine and certainly very busy i guess! Take care George!🙋‍♂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Bernard. Don't worry haha, things have been busy but hopefully getting back to more consistent videos back in my own garden and others very soon. Thank you, all the best to you too!

[@inbetween-days]

Hi George just been to Linden Nurseries (my third visit since watching your channel) mentioned we had seen your latest video and they were very appreciative of your support. There is always something that takes the eye when we visit. Thanks for your excellent and informative channel as a newbie to tropical gardens ( 2nd Yr) I have found your channel such a brilliant source of information. Best wishes 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thank you very much, that's really kind of you. Happy to help support a local nursery especially when they're as friendly and hard-working as the family at Linden. I'm pleased to hear my vids are helping you out on your tropical garden adventure, I hope it brings you lots of joy! All the best, George

[@Roatanlova68fmp71lliiiak]

Ohhhh yes schleffera are amazing! Loving the Taiwaniana, Rhododendrifolia and the Needhams strain. Started buying fleece for Winter already and making space in the shed. Dreading this Winter!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Great choices and I'd say Rhododendrifolia has been my hardiest here for sure. It's always good to be prepared but hopefully it won't be quite as tricky as last winter for a lot of exotics, fingers crossed anyway!

[@davidmackie7473]

Good to see you back. Good choices 👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I took the opportunity to do a few back to basics vids but hopefully back to some more interesting plants and tours very soon!

[@marianne9798]

Love your vids

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I appreciate the support!

[@missdimples1982]

I do love ferns, I bought a golden one this year, still green for the moment

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, is it a ‘Jurassic Gold’? They’re lovely plants if so.

[@missdimples1982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden it is! I just checked the marker as I forgot

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, I've got a few of those they definitely look lovely as they settle in!@@missdimples1982

[@TheSidney78]

Great to see you back George. Great video as usual.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Hopefully getting to a point where I can get back to more consistent uploads, I'm looking forward to getting back into it.

[@TheSidney78]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I look forward to it George. I’m already panicking about overwintering when I should still be enjoying my first summer. No doubt with your expert advice I’ll make it through the other side without too many casualties 😁🌴👍🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@TheSidney78 Plenty of time left to enjoy yet but there's no harm in being prepared. Things get easier once you know what you can get away with and what is required though. I'm aiming to put a video out in September going through what I do for most plants, that seems like the most time-efficient way of helping out but happy to help with anything I can in the comments.

[@AJBAdventures]

Cracking content as always 👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! A bit back to basics with this one but I like to have a good mix of easier plants for newer people and then obscure rarities for those of us deeper into it 😃

[@Roatanlova68fmp71lliiiak]

Brilliant inspiration George, thank you. I seem to have bought loads of plants this year to replace the awful losses from Winter but there's still gaps. Am not sticking religiously to tropicals and enjoyed looking at alternatives avoiding the traditional English garden planting! There's so many cool plants I missed, it's been fun. The Fatsia Spiders Web really brightens up a gloomy corner.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, yes, it's the same here and I've tried to work in more plants which fit the aesthetic even if they're not 'proper tropical plants'. I'm pleased you're having fun with it though, it's definitely rewarding trying out new planting ideas and combinations, particularly if you know they won't cause any issues in winter!

[@louiset445]

Wonderful video, as ever! I've flipped and flopped from "jungle" to "Mediterranean" style planting and it's a relief to hear that the two aren't mutually exclusive! As for suggestions, how about the mahonia? M. "Soft Caress" especially. 🌿

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Louise and apologies for my delayed reply! As you can probably tell, my garden has definitely evolved to take on a more Mediterranean feel at the far end too and I definitely think you can cover a huge range of styles and plants in an exotic garden. Mahonia 'Soft Caress' and 'Sweet Winter' etc. are beautiful additions to a jungle garden for sure, great idea and they're widely available too!

[@Lderuddere]

I just picked up some Hakonechloa varieties to add some low foliage, they look a bit like a low growing fargesia rufa I think

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, I'm a fan of Hakonechloa and they nearly made a feature in this vid. I can definitely see the rufa comparison. They're a great plant for edging and adding some depth to foliage borders for sure.

[@lukebowler7946]

You were in the isle of wight lately right? Shouldve popped into big plant nursery as its not even an hours trip once ya get off the ferry

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I did actually half think about that, us plant people are all the same 😂 It was a family long weekend down in Bournemouth / Portsmouth so not really time to go in, plus there was no room in the car which would have been the real frustration after visiting I’m sure! I’ve had a few lovely plants delivered from there over the years 😃

[@DJSupaflyguy]

👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you, next one coming up as soon as I get it edited!

[@rj12341]

Great video I'm in Lincolnshire and will have to take a trip up to here, said I was done with plants this year and now I'm eyeing up a fatsia green fingers and a taiwaniana which will fill a very bare gap in my garden 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and you should definitely visit! What’s this ‘done with plants’ phrase you’re using?! 😂 But yeah, there’s a few bare gaps here after last winter too which is why I went for some of the ferns.

[@rj12341]

GeorgesJungleGarden the phrase means I've spent much more money on plants than I anticipated this year 😂😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@rj12341Ahh yes, I’m more familiar with that phrase! 😂

[@idaniamorales6058]

👏

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

[@joezimmerman1089]

Is that Orostachys iwarenge at the end in your buys? I've tried it a few times but the slugs love it (same with the Conoigramme ferns)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Joe, it’s Orostachys ‘Chinese Hat’ which I believe could be O. boehmeri (although not at home right now to check). Thanks for the heads up, mine are going to be surrounded with gravel so fingers crossed they’re deterred!

[@db6625]

Another enjoyable and informative video, thanks George. BTW…..does this nursery have a website or Facebook page for info etc?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! They actually don’t, they’re a small family run setup which is one of the reasons why I’m happy to give them more exposure. Did you want to know anything specific I can help with?

[@db6625]

I have a long list of plants I’m chasing. Such as Cornus Miss Satomi, Tetrapanax, aster lateriflorus and wondered what type of plants they stock and prices. Thanks for the offer.@@GeorgesJungleGarden

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@db6625 Hi, they have Tetrapanax in, you'll see them in my next vid later this week, £24.99 I think. Not sure about the others but maybe worth giving them a quick ring. They're not an ultra-specialist nursery but have a good selection of unusual and specimen plants mixed in with the usual bedding and herbaceous plants etc.

[@mrchuffy6535]

Awesome, I have been tempted with them schefflera taiwaniana so many times over the last two years but they look so delicate I was concerned about getting them through a winter, do you think a plant this size would survive in a north lincs polytunnel this winter? Thanks again George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I can’t blame you, they’re lovely healthy plants and they’ve obviously been popular! I actually picked up a couple a while back to replace some more unusual Schefflera losses and I’ll be doing exactly that, just growing them on for a while. I only heated it during the freezing nights and then only to two degrees but if your polytunnel isn’t heated then you might be best off bringing it into somewhere a bit more sheltered if there’s another prolonged and hard freeze. In a milder winter, no problem at all.

[@mrchuffy6535]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks George, I will do that if there is any left now you have done your video! I feel a right prat turning up and buying something from Paul straight after you have told people to get it but I'll maybe make Angela pay! Be interesting to see how you heat your polytunnel some day in future. Thanks again for content

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

⁠​⁠@@mrchuffy6535Haha I’m sure you’ll get one if you get in quick! Happy to help Paul and the team out and I’m sure he’ll be pleased that I’ve made up your mind to buy one. As for the polytunnel, I might cover it in the future but it’s quite basic, a decent Biogreen Phoenix heater set to the lowest 2.6 degree setting and down to 1kW. No heating is cheap but having a good thermostat, only using it when is absolutely required and not keeping any real tenders in there help keep it down.

[@smeshfactory3992]

What are those mini fine comb short palms in the pots called and how much do they go for at that size at 10:30 in the background? thanks.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, they’re actually Cycads, Cycas revoluta. They’re a primitive plant which visually is a cross between a fern and a palm, a bit too tender to plant outside in most of the U.K. without protection unfortunately. I can’t remember the price on that row but there’s some nice ones just to the left of where I place the Schefflera which were £39.99

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

I love the ideas in this video George, Fatsia Spiders Web along with other cultivars do better in semi acidic well draining soil. I have a quick question about a Chamaerops humilis I bought this summer from Homebase. Planted in sand, full Sun a bit of acid soil, it's been fine but I noticed the the leaves at the base yellowing and the centre is yellow first then Browing on one side, is the dreaded fusarium wilt or just natural or a deficiency. If you could give an idea I would be thrilled. Thanks George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Killian and I appreciate the tip. As for the palm, is there a possibility it's delayed winter damage growing out?

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden It might be from lots of rain and or humidity, it's been planted after the frost and has mainly gloomy and wet weather but with good drainage, or it could be just older fronds dying it doesn't look like Fusarium but I'm always on the lookout. Have you tried growing Cryptomeria Japonica Arauconides or Crista, they have very unusual appearances on their branches. Thanks George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@roguedungeondelver5738 It could potentially be any of those things, some palms can take a while to exhibit previous weather / pot culture issues and need a while in the ground before they start really pushing healthy growth out but I hope it bounces back soon for you. I haven't tried those two but have looked at the genus before, there's certainly a lot of unusual conifers and other evergreens that would provide an interesting visual foil to the other exotics. So many possibilities!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks George I've seen othe leaves showing the browning in the centre rather than the one sided growth of fusarium, anything bud that, but it doesn't seem like it now. Thanks George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@roguedungeondelver5738 No worries and fingers crossed for you!

[@lukebowler7946]

At 2:09 what is that big grassy plant infront of your musa?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey Luke, that was actually a young Cordyline australis that this winter took out unfortunately. I think the mild late autumn and being in a high humidity and shaded area probably made the following freeze hit a bit harder as they’re generally OK once they get to that size.

[@mietkl8371]

👍 100%

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks!

[@kthup]

hi just off subject i thought id say I cant find the palm booster food you recomended, seems to be out of stock. is there another type i could get thanks again

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Ahh yes, just seen that. I'm not sure there are any other suppliers unfortunately and there aren't really any other hormone based rooting options that I know of. Any palm specific feed and consistent summer watering will help palms settle in though so I'd give them a dose of something before the end of August.

[@kthup]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks will do. I have got the slow release fertiliser you recommended also.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@kthup Nice one, yes, that's the one I've used myself this year to keep things efficient and easy. Hopefully we get a nice warm second half of August and September to get as much growth as possible before it gets cooler.

[@abivickers9528]

These guys open this year yet? :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Abi, they are indeed, the car park is finished and they’re full of new plants 😊

[@markgoodlad4669]

What? No invite?!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 Maybe when he next gets some ridiculously big Cycads or palms in!