Planting a NEW Garden Border with Easy, Tough Evergreen Plants

In today's video I show a new garden border and the easy, tough and low maintenance evergreen plants (including Trachycarpus princeps hybrid palms) I've chosen for it. I go through how I planned and set out the border and how these plant ideas and suggestions help those of you wanting to prioritise winter interest, evergreen structure or a low maintenance but exciting garden border yourselves. The main plants are the Trachycarpus pinceps 'New Form Hybrid' hardy palms & Mahonia 'Sweet Winter' but other groundcovers and tough exotics make an appearance (and will be joined by some summer colour very soon!). As always, let me know your comments in the section below!
Simon Mabury's tiny jungle garden, full of exciting and unusual plant ideas for small gardens: • Small Tropical Jungle ...
0:00 Intro
0:46 New East-facing evergreen shady garden border
2:53 Exciting evergreen plants for a tough, easy garden border
3:44 Fast growing & structural evergreen Trachycarpus princeps hybrid palms
5:09 Easy, tough and attractive mid-height and ground cover evergreen plants
10:55 Tips for planting a new garden border
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

[@staffordshireShane]

Looks great mate . Im full of those tricks . I built my waterfall and my mrs didnt like it said it was too noisy and giving her a headache and that she wanted a gentle sound 😂 had to take it to bits and do it again to keep my overlord happy 😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha cheers Shane and yep, anything to keep her happy! As long as you didn't reduce your thundering waterfall into anything like that tiny little fountain bubbling away like a farting frog!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

That place will look like a dream place! I love the huge boulder and the York stone wall. Every single of these plants is gorgeous. Not leveling the place up gives it a superb and wild look. Love these plants so much! Take care George! 🙋‍♂🌿

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Bernard and as always, I appreciate your kind thoughts and insights! I'm excited to see the palms grow over time and really create a fitting entrance to the garden. Thanks a lot and all the best!

[@user-nu1hz1mt7s]

hey buddy 13000 subs ha ha congrats George you deserve everyone mate !! have a brilliant easter lad ..all the best ..Julian

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Julian and I hope you’re having a great weekend too! Yes, it’s amazing to see so many people interested in exciting plants and gardens and I’m very grateful for everyone like you who takes the time to subscribe and comment. Let’s be honest though, even if I had a million subscribers I’d still be sharing my amateurish mistakes and bad jokes 😂

[@missdimples1982]

I treated myself to 4 x Quarry rocks, each weighing 8kg, and I thought those were heavy enough 😅 looking great George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, it's all relative isn't and a few 8kg quarry rocks can certainly add that bit of variation and structure to make a good border an exciting one! This beast was originally going down the far end of my garden but I don't really have anything to move it far with now so it found a home here haha!

[@helenazzopardi1713]

love the new border George, thanks for taking the time away from family to show us

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! Don't worry, we've juggled things around and I can continue with my videos without affecting family time. It was lovely to enjoy some beautiful spring sun outside!

[@Tminus89]

Always good to show your process.. Getting a lot of plants is easy, but planting them in a way that makes for a good design certainly isn't. Getting tips for that is always great. I am shifting around a lot to make a completely different feeling garden this year, where you are more enclosed. Started with the biggest plants and am working my way down so to speak.. Caused me plenty of headaches already but I'm getting there 😆 will have to wait for the seedlings before I can really guess how much space to reserve for which plant

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and yes - it's definitely a process rather than a definite decision! Here for example I've compromised on the space between the palms and fence / wall in the short term but it won't be many years before they're over them and I'll appreciate that I maximised the spacing between them. I definitely think you're right starting with the biggest plants and giving it some thought. That enclosed feel will come for sure and is certainly one of the benefits of growing a jungle style garden - the plants grow quickly and create an atmosphere that would be tricky to create in a conventional garden without lots of trees. I hope it comes together as you've roughly planned and yes, plenty of trial and error will be required but you'll learn lots on the way!

[@gilliansmyth7167]

Looking great. Also looking forward to seeing the finished fire pit I remember when you started. 😘

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! I’ve got a week to juggle both ends of the garden so I’ll hopefully get the fire pit dug out, crusher down and the stonewalls built along with a few other jobs so it’ll come together nicely. I wouldn’t say finished but maybe to the point that it’s usable and the cladding plus patio can wait until I’ve got the time and budget to do a good job of them 😊 Thanks for sticking with my garden adventures for so long and I hope you’re having a great weekend!

[@DonMurrayYT]

Apart from the York stone envy I have, it’s good to hear from you George. Love these little borders; They go to show you don’t need a big garden to get that exotic effect. In fact, it may be an advantage to have a smaller space in the short term anyway. As for what you’ve done In the new border, if people trying this hate gaps and bare earth, they can always pad out with annuals. The feature plants will be putting their roots down year one so you might as well use the old favourites to save you from weeding and keep the soil shaded and moist. Thanks again George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Don and thanks, yes - I am a fan of York stone and I'm definitely pleased I built up a good bank of it before moving here (even if it took a lot of work at the time!). You're completely right regarding annuals and that's exactly what I did here to fill out my borders in years 1-3. With this border I'll likely be mulching with it largely being 'permanent plants' but for a mixed border there's plenty of fast growing annuals that add to the exotic effect whilst giving the benefits you say - thanks for the reminder!

[@tropicalpdx1341]

George this looks amazing. I love the elements of hardscape you incorporated and plant choices are spot on. I always pay attention to how my gardens look not only from outside but from inside like you have mentioned. Thanks for giving me a break, I'm out planting a new garden myself today in 27C with 75% humidity, and your cool weather looks quite refreshing!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, that's very kind of you! It's maybe a little basic and dangerously close to sensible but once the palms grow up and over the fence & wall, they'll hopefully be providing most of the impact. Good to hear you're working hard on your new project and yes, those temperatures and humidity are certainly draining when you're grafting! Mid-teens here most days currently so certainly cooler and a good time to get on with jobs on the plus side. Good luck with your plant missions and I'm sure you're having fun!

[@PaulConnor100]

" That's a big boulder " the arch is a great idea George 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, it is indeed! Thanks, it'll be a simple arch with some tropical hardwood sleepers which will hopefully add a nice formal entrance to the garden, with a touch of the character I like. There'll be some more progress later this month I'm excited to say!

[@samanthalonghurst-howes1465]

Looks beautiful. I love your dry wall and edging - looks lovely. Can’t wait to see you build your arch. Xxx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I'm pleased you like it! There'll be some more progress later this month I'm excited to say!

[@pansepot1490]

Great border. What about adding some Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' as ground cover? The black would look nice against those green leaves and in my experience it’s a plant that performs well in dry shade.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! Great suggestion, check out the last 30 seconds of the video and you might notice I had the same idea 😃

[@mrchuffy6535]

Please god Angela dont ask for a 1/3 tonne granite boulder! Very nice content George but I think we need to see whats in that poly tunnel at some point!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You definitely need a boulder or three 😂 Cheers, the polytunnel is probably a lot more basic than you expect though! I downsized to a 4x2m one so it’s literally just my pots of cannas, gingers and a few semi-tender plants - not a hothouse of botanical rarities unfortunately!

[@mrchuffy6535]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden good job I'm smart enough to comment on KZbin comments where she can't see it! I'd be interested to know how you get your cannas restarted or at least when they start to come through, I'm sat looking at countless musifolia from Louth hoping they made it!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha you're a smart cookie! I'll see if I can get a vid together over the next week but I pretty much leave mine to it in the polytunnel until around now when I give them a good watering and they come up with any spring sun we have. I'm sure your musifolia will have made it and the shoots will make an appearance over the next few weeks.

[@OssyDL]

Very secretive about the polytunnel 😂 hope your not growing cannabis in there.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I wasn’t trying to be deliberately secretive but now I know it comes across that way, I’ll certainly do nothing to clear up the intrigue 😂

[@fionacarruthers9946]

Looking forward to seeing the progress. It's going to look fabulous

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Fiona! There'll be some more progress later this month, I'll certainly be excited to see it come together too!

[@TigerMa75]

Love that border! That dry stone wall and that boulder - wow! I am terribly envious you have the room to design and plant more - we’re pretty full here. Although, I am water feature fanatic so if I had that border I would definitely sneak one in probably using that gorgeous boulder. Can’t wait to see the border develop and your future garden plans.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and yes, developing, designing and planting new areas is certainly one of the most exciting parts of gardening! I might be approaching full soon though too haha but there's a couple of bits left which aren't 100% definite. One of those future projects might include a water feature you'll be pleased to hear! The boulder would have been lovely for that but while our daughter is young it would just be a magnet for her to mess around with haha!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

A classy looking evergreen border mate. Great job. I would have preferred sone World's Strongest Man footage for the first 10mins to Rocky montage music as you moved that big ass stone into place. Looks class though and worth the effort

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Mr Calzone and yes, it's hopefully a dependable and colourful border which will be all about the palmage as they mature! I got a longer phone vid of some of the struggles getting the rock into position and was going to do a very predictable and overly dramatic montage but didn't have the time as I was feeling rough - which is why this video has maybe had more than the usual viewers. I usually prioritise how I want to do things over mainstream appeal as you know and will have to make up for it when work on the fire pit continues!

[@TropicalGardening]

Great border! I use the same kind of plants for underneath Trachycarpus palms. Great choise and combination!👍🌴

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I'll be trying some more rare and unsual plants around the garden but this border was definitely the right place for some tough and easy evergreens. I'm pleased you're a fan and i always try to underplant palms and evergreen shrubs when I put them in to avoid disturbing the roots as much in the coming years.

[@michellelillie8389]

Loving the new border. Look forward to seeing it grow. Loving the tshirt too 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Michelle and I hope it grows into what I think it could! The palms will make a nice entrance to the garden. Haha thanks, the T-shirt was an Amazon special when I realised I was wearing too many old gym clothes in my videos!

[@tonyworrall7379]

Really love it George. Hope you are feeling better. Happy Easter to the family.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Tony and apologies for the delayed reply. Hopefully on the mend now thanks and I hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend too! It was nice to get a little reminder of spring weather wasn't it!

[@kathrynleithall5906]

Loving the stone wall and have always wanted some large boulders! Hubby had a hernia op so can't see me getting some any time soon!! Take care not to hurt yourself too! I also have the same plants, nice choice!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Kathryn and yes, you might have to hold off from some boulders unless you have an exceptionally helpful delivery driver! I always try to lift correctly and used a lifting bar to do most of the leverage so although it was heavy, it was possible with patience. Thanks, I'm pleased you like the plants. This was the right spot for some tough and easy shade-tolerant evergreens and I hope they knit together nicely.

[@irismoles9369]

Love it George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Iris, it's coming together slowly now!

[@janinewoodbridge3814]

Ots going to look great I'm in the wirral so we have sand stone in our garden and I love it

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Janine, yes, stone really adds character and maturity to a garden doesn't it!

[@chrisreynolds7412]

Hi George, a Stone arch would look great there rather than trellis and would be a good project.

[@amandareynolds7425]

Yes - would give an opportunity for vertical gardening by planting small plants in the nooks and crannies.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi @chrisreynolds7412 and @amandareynolds7425 - you’re both right and if it was purely my garden where my imagination could go wild I’d be tempted to have a ridiculous stone moon gate with all kinds of bromeliads and ferns growing on it. Instead I do need to have an element of practicality and safety as the area before this will be a child-safe area and I need to get a gate in place (to separate the supervised jungle area!). Don’t worry though, the trellis will just be a screen over the wall I’ve built - the actual arch will be made with some beautifully aged tropical hardwood sleepers I brought from our old house so will hopefully look fitting and special. Who knows how it might change one day but I think it’ll look great and hopefully not cost loads to put together now 😊

[@TigerMa75]

@@GeorgesJungleGardenTotally agree about safety for little ones. We have ponds and gated off our tropical areas until our children became old enough. Then much later replaced the gate with an arch. Of course, now they’re mid to late teens so hard pressed to get them back in the garden!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Yes, I'm definitely one for creativity and doing what I want (within the limits of my ability and more importantly, budget) but there's some practicalities that have to be a priority and it will be good to have a 'safe' area of grass near the house. It'll be a lot of work moving things around to achieve that later this month but I'll get there!

[@pburgess4727]

Good video, I think I have just planted almost all these plants in my garden 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and great minds! All lovely plants and whilst they’re not summer stunners or rarities as such, given that this section is right next to the lawn, I won’t be wincing when balls / toys / children go flying into them (too much 😂)

[@staffordshireShane]

How did you move that stone on your own 😮. I had to cut some of mine in half so i could move them and they were not that size. 😂 . The 2 stone walls and arch way will look amazing, mate . I really like it .what an entrance to the jungle that will be . ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Shane! I used the lifting bar (1" hex steel) and some smaller stones / blocks of wood as chocks but standing it up was certainly the hardest part as there's no getting around gravity! Next time I'll let you come around and move it so you can learn some life lessons young grasshopper. The silly thing which I didn't mention in this video is that I actually got it positioned, the stone wall chucked together then realised the boulder visually needed to be a foot across to the right to give room for the Mahonia and palm so had to move it using the wall as leverage. As a result the wall isn't as straight as it was but as a plus point it's certainly solid and wedged in now. Hopefully it looks the part as the palms mature!

[@wesleyhackney]

Great all year green plant selection. Were you going to put mulch in there as well

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks - apologies for the delayed reply. I am indeed as this is closer to the house and most of the planting is pretty much locked in so it will finish it off nicely and practically. I might pop a couple of other groundcovers and finishing details in first though!

[@BeatriceGardens]

What have you done to me, I seem to have the jungle bug.😂😂😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha oh dear, unfortunately it’s terminal 😬

[@carolebaines4075]

I would be a bit concerned at the lack of space they have george? The palms grow quite big and there doesn't seem enough space between them and the wall/edging?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Carole, yes, the two on the right hand side next to the walls / fence would ideally have more space. I’ve left enough room for the trunks to thicken up but it’ll be a good few years before the palms clear the walls / fences and can get to their full width. I wanted to prioritise the space between the palms as they’ll all have plenty of space in 5-10 years, they’ll just be a bit cramped until they reach over.

[@GrowTropicalMK]

Hi George, another awesome video. I am kind of planning something similar right near the house in a smaller area and have a fascicularia bicolour, which would probably look great there. The only problem I can foresee is that in the winter there will be barely any sunshine on that spot, whereas in the summer it will get a fair amount from about 2pm onwards. Do you think it would do OK there? I really don't have any experience of it all. I probably need to get another sweet winter to slot in there also 😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey and thanks! Fascicularia bicolour grow just fine in a bit of shade, there's a beautiful one on the wall in the middle of Dr Simon Olpin's jungle garden and I've seen them growing in the woodland at Picton Castle Gardens too. I'm sure it would work well and yes, I'm sure there's room for another sweet winter, you can't go wrong!

[@GrowTropicalMK]

@GeorgesJungleGarden Awesome thanks I will be adding this. The sweet winter is in :-)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one 😃

[@DJSupaflyguy]

🫡👌👌👌👌looks great👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, a lot of work to do but it’ll happen 😊

[@user-nu1hz1mt7s]

george try a wisteria over the archway as the smell is phenominal ....

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for the idea and yes, they’re a plant I’d love to grow up around the back of the house when we can afford to get it modified and extended slightly. Such an incredible sight in full flower! For the archway though, I’d like something evergreen so the Clematis is my current thought 😊

[@pansepot1490]

Wisteria is a thug for such a small space. In my experience it’s few weeks of flowers and the rest of the season fighting to keep the vigorous shoots in check. And I thought I had bought a smaller variety. 😢

[@user-nu1hz1mt7s]

@@pansepot1490 hi 1490 hope you are well , i put a wisteria in last year and i really didnt do my homework i just loved the look of them when you see them in flower but it sounds like the bad outways the good ..all the best..Julian

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I agree Julian, they are a truly beautiful plant, but also as you say @pansepot1490 - not ideal for a small space without regular and continuous maintenance to keep them in check as they're certainly vigorous!

[@OssyDL]

Great video and perfect timing iv just planed out 4 princeps x fortunii and 3 princeps x wag. Im now gonna go back outside and move them apart abit more they are only small so wont be too hard. 😂 would you think my musa basjoo and sikkimensis could come out the polytunnel yet? No frost for next 14 days and wife wants the greenhouse gone 😂 same as every year

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Danny, there's nothing wrong with close spacing as such - there's some examples of close palm planting in my vid at Dr Simon Olpin's Sheffield Jungle which look great and I've got a few 'triples' planted throughout my garden similar to this. I try to get them close enough that they'll be touching and a visual group when maturing but not so close that they look like they were grown in the same pot but it all depends on the effect you're going for - these might be too cramped for some people. Personally I try to give my plants a head start in the polytunel through April but maybe see what the forecast is like next weekend and take a punt from there? Haha yes, I know the story, I want to get mine moved soon too so I can get on and make some child-friendly lawn space ready for summer!

[@OssyDL]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks George the bananas are touching the top of the polytunnel now so already have a head start. Got strong wind warnings for sat though so might wait till after then.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, they're ready to go then! Yes, that was part of my thinking as I'm in the same boat - the protection from the wind this weekend will help (and be a good excuse!) assuming you have your polytunnel weighed down enough haha

[@palmlifeuk3553]

Hi George. Is the "Sweet winter " the same as " Winter sun? " seeing the later pop up if I search for sweet winter.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I don't believe so, there's quite a few different sorts / hybrids all with similar naming and the visual differences can be quite subtle. With the two you're comparing though, they are quite distinct and I think 'Winter Sun' is a spiky, bolder and larger plant whereas 'Sweet Winter' is a glossier and less feathery version of 'Soft Caress'.

[@Handles_AreStupid]

What's the difference between mahonia soft caress and sweet winter? Are they all that distinct, they look REALLY similar.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, there's definitely differences between them, the leaves of Sweet Winter are less feathery and more glossy plus the new growth looks different. You'd be happy with either in all honesty but even if you have one of them, the other is worth growing too if you have the right space for it.

[@haroldbetterson1877]

How’s the fire pit?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It's still a pit Harold but you'll be pleased to hear there'll be more progress on it later this month! I'm looking forward to it.

[@valerieriddle1597]

Where's your shirt from? Hopefully Amazon 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes indeed, search for tropical botanics or you can get it here: amzn.to/4atktpa

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

That Boulder looks massive, how do they even move those in Zen gardens or Chinese gardens ? The Mahonia is a great choice Soft Caress has sailed through the winter for me and looks like a dwarf feather palm. Nandina Domestica is also a good choice. George I'm looking to plant Camellia Japonica, my only concern is that I previously had an Azalea in the garden that had Azalea Gall, I removed and I think I got it before the spores went airborne but I'm unsure, will the Azalea Gall cause any harm to the Camellia, if you'd know more. Thanks George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and I have absolutely no idea - possibly using more professional tools and skills than I employed here! Yes, I like the small Mahonias too, very dependable and they just get on and do their thing whilst also adding to the overall exotic effect don't they. As for your Camellia question, unfortunately I couldn't offer any expertise on that subject and it's not something I've come across but personally I'd be tempted to risk it.

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks for the reply George, you must feel like Tarzan in the Jungle lugging those boulders around. I've sorted a spot for the camellia and also invested in a much Stronger Chinese Wisteria since they're more reliable than the Frutecens species. Thanks George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha something like that! Nice one, I'm sure your bit of paradise is getting leafier by the day! Good shout, I'm always a fan of going for the stronger growers where possible.

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden It's true, sometimes the tried and tested evergreens and exotics are better, especially no need to fleece them unlike the Bananas and Tree ferns

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

A good mix works well but a ratio in favour of the hardy evergreens certainly results in an easier garden that looks greener in winter and spring 😊

[@unclebuckgb]

Hi where did up buy your MAHONIA EURYBRACTEATA SWEET WINTER' please

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, it was from Craig at Grow Paradise 😊

[@unclebuckgb]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks mate, all the best 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries, you too thanks!

[@ryanacar3773]

Oops i planted my trachycarpus 30cm away from each other definitely too closed

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s not necessarily too close and you could say the same about mine and the fence / wall here but I guess it depends on the effect you’re going for. In the vid at Dr Simon Olpin’s there’s a few groups planted closely together and they look great. I just about had room for a triple but wanted to space them out the best I could 😊

[@ryanacar3773]

@GeorgesJungleGarden Dr Simon olpin's garden is basically a self sustaining rain forest lol, those trachycarpus reproduce like crazy and seedlings popping up everywhere. It would be cool if they become invasive(seriously). I might plant some in the forests

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, pretty much! It's about the closest private garden I've seen to a real life jungle / rainforest in the North of the UK at least! I think they are actually becoming an invasive issue in places like Switzerland so I wouldn't recommend actively planting them in forests but equally, a large woodland garden would look amazing with naturalistic planting of them en masse!

[@ryanacar3773]

@GeorgesJungleGarden I've been to a park where there's seedlings everywhere but the people clear them with the weeds so I take as much as I can. Unfortunately I don't have that much space for a hundred palm trees when they grow up so maybe I'll plant them in the forest at the back of my school

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh wow, in that case you may as well rescue a few, plans and places for them can always come later!