How to create a Tropical landscape in your yard Designers Landscape

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About Gary
As a graduate horticulturist with years of experience, Gary Alan’s quality work has brought outstanding recognition in the field of horticulture. When considering a path at the beginning of his career Gary knew that his desire to work outdoors would narrow his career choices. He learned that the University of Florida had a program offering a Major in Ornamental Horticulture. With that, his goal was set!
In 1979, just one term before graduating, Walt Disney World recruited some students to their Tree Farm Nursery in preparation of the EPCOT project soon to begin. Gary was selected to be part of this team.
After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture, it was back to Disney World to begin his career.
After several years of valuable experience at Disney World, Gary realized that his true desire was to practice the design aspect of landscaping.
Soon after returning to his home town of Jacksonville, Florida, he started a design company which grew to encompass installation, irrigation and maintenance. He began filming his projects and caught the eye of the then beginning Home and Garden TV network, and with that "The Designers Landscape" show was born. At it's peak, it was seen on HGTV and PBS stations around the US and in syndication around the world.
Gary continues to run his landscaping business in Jacksonville, as well as filming new episodes of shows for distribution here on the web! He welcomes your comments and tries to answer as many questions as possible.

[@smurfsky6855]

This takes me back. To the 90's,when Gary and this show influenced, if not taught me landscape design. Thanks Gary.

[@MinxFox]

Here's my problem...In the US a 'tropical' garden for many landscapers means a garden that has a palm tree or even just sagos. Rarely do they use many if any tropical plants not to mention the spacing is horrendous. The plants might fill in the gaps a little but to me the key is to have tighter plantings and stagger the plants with the tallest plants in the back and the shortest in the front. Also you need pops of color. There are people in Ohio creating their own backyard tropical paradise with exotic plants. It doesn't matter where you are it just depends on how much you are willing to cover or dig up and store in the winter. Here are some real staple tropical or tropical looking plants to use in your tropical garden: Fatsia japonica musa basjoo (hardy banana) trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm) Cannas (almost any variety will do - I recommend trying a purple leaf variety to add a nice contrasting color) Ornamental Sweet potato elephant ears (once again, many varieties to choose from) Gingers (Lots of unique types to choose from) Clumping bamboo (don't use running version) coleus Dahlia (A great flowering plant with some varieties that look rather tropical - particularly the cactus and semi cactus ones). Rice Paper Plant Those are just a few good options!

[@FJBAFYFVFH]

MinxFox this is exactly what I am doing in Georgia. I’m in 7b, so I can’t plant a lot of “tropical” plants here. Hibiscus 🌺 is another I will be adding. Boy it gets expensive QUICK. I’ve got $500 just in palms and bananas so far and those are all small plants. I’m expecting $1500 minimum just for planting 6 beds around the pool, not including cost of landscape lighting and running outlets and adding concrete. 5k and I’m doing all of the work myself through my company. I can only imagine what this guy charged the customer. Large palms here are $500 -1000+ each for only 5fters.

[@MinxFox]

@@FJBAFYFVFH Haha I was at Lowes and Home Depot today getting some more tropicals (mostly landscape bromeliads). It certainly is an investment but as long as you are good at keeping the plants growing and overwintering them if needed it is usually a one time investment for that plant. Some plants reward you with tons more (bananas usually multiply a bunch) and some plants, like angel trumpets, are extremely easy to grow from cuttings. If you need a good tropical plant source check out Brian's Botanicals online. I got a few plants from them last year and some more this year. Getting live plants shipped to you might sound sketchy but they package them perfectly - Also Emerald Goddess Gardens does a good job shipping and usually includes a free plant with your order. I've seen mention that some people create their tropical gardens on the cheap by joining a local gardening society and participating in plant swaps and are given free cuttings or free plants. I still haven't looked into joining a local gardening group but I would probably really benefit from it. My main problem is I need to do a lot of soil improvement here. Tropical plants require really rich soil and most of them are heavy feeders. My plants aren't performing the way I see them perform for other people so I have work to do. Palms ARE expensive! See if when you buy them the sellers have a policy if they will replace the palm if they die within the first year. Palms can be finicky and even the big mature ones can die on you. The other day I saw on Craigslist where someone dug up a palm and was giving it away for free so don't forget to check your local for sale ads for free or cheap plants. One final thing - beware what type of hibiscus you buy!!! At the local stores here they sell the tropical hibiscus, which usually won't survive our winters. Rose mallows, swam mallows, rose of Sharon and hibiscus moscheutos are the ones you are looking for. I bought a hardy hibiscus called 'Perfect Storm' and it is really small right now. I planted it earlier this month. I'm anxiously waiting for it to grow into a big bush and hopefully flower!

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

MinxFox well said, plenty of Tropicals in northern zones happening. Stay tropical 🌴

[@raylantrace5626]

Sorry to be off topic but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost the password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@kieranclyde4309]

@Raylan Trace instablaster ;)

[@picklemetimbers3003]

Love the sand trap. Now the home owner can practice golf at home! Classic FL. Well played Gary.

[@h2oquality2010]

All the neighborhood cats will just love pooping in that sand trap.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Domo 😂

[@marilynmcdonald6899]

Lantana is a pest in Aus. My dad spent hours and hours digging it out of natural bushland where it was destroying the natural flora. I associate crotons and hibiscus and large leafed plant varieties with tropical, but so long as the owners are happy with their garden is the main thing. Ps, black boots and socks hide the dirt better😃

[@pattiearehart118]

We now own a home in Florida. Used to watch Gary Allen many years ago on HGTV. And just found him on KZbin so we are able to follow along and hopefully creat a nice back yard environment in the future! If you want to use our yard as a show I would appreciate it! 😂

[@agoalchagne]

Wow! Big difference from before and after. Great job!

[@IsReal111]

Bigger leaf plants and flowers needed

[@dottiewebb4281]

T would skip the sand traps,

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

Dottie Webb Sand trap, yuck.

[@LoveAffairsTube]

I love it... not many Bob Villa type landscaping videos from start to finish with detail explanations of design and development wit products used!

[@williamoconnell4696]

That was a very nice job Gary

[@user-qd5sg5bb9f]

Wow!! I love your idea. I need your help with my backyard and front yard 😁

[@jttaylor4982]

Very Nice Transition.... Great Job

[@KennethStevenson3]

This video has to be from the 80's.

[@GotoHere]

How are evergreens tropical? I’ve never seen an evergreen in a tropical jungle. So many other tropicals plants that could have been used.

[@rudeboyy604]

I enjoyed your tropical garden look very much thank you since I have fewer palm trees in my backyard I’m trying to do a tropical look to👍✌️Vern Delta British Columbia thank you

[@turtlecat7856]

I have a flamboyant in my house. Also many colorful flowers and plants.

[@estroxcosmodior8936]

Very nice turn...

[@azotevlog3689]

good idea thank you for sharing

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Nice. I’m glad you pruned off the yellow palm frond on their existing tree. It would’ve been nice to see some native Coontie instead of Sago palms or Serenoa repens and Sabal minor instead of the Asian viburnum. But, I like it.

[@littlemissy8356]

Why the criticism? This video was wonderful.

[@donrush5311]

I don't care much for Queens. I would have went with Foxtails.

[@user-zb8by9gd7n]

Gary, I just wonder why you leave the flower beds the same level as the turf. Should they be raised up to look better?

[@ManuimGarten]

The palms are great, but the sand trap is terrible, doesn't look natural like a beach. Sorry!

[@gipsytrixy10]

I think i would use that beach for succulente and cactus

[@paulpalmtree9295]

Is there any reason why a Coconut Palm tree was not planted, in the tropical look garden. I would also consider a Banana tree.

[@5centloosie]

Because this is filmed in North Florida. There are no coconut palms outside of South Florida. Same goes for the banana tree.

[@cathyrowe594]

@@5centloosie I've got hardy banana trees in south central Missouri. Pretty sure they coulda used some in this yard.

[@5centloosie]

@@cathyrowe594 Wow that's a first. I have heard of it but usually they are potted banana trees that are brought inside or if they are planted, it's an ordeal to cover them every time there's a cold snap. Banana trees take over your whole yard and begin to look unruly. I am sure that's why this guy didn't use them. He seems to like easy to maintain landscapes.

[@cathyrowe594]

@@5centloosie I cut mine back to 1 foot just before our first fall frost & cover them snugly in several layers of leaves, grass clippings & finally some old carpets. They get uncovered only after our last spring frost. You're right, they do multiply rapidly! Have given quite a few away in 3 years. They also take a lot of water which is why I put mine by the downspout at the corner of my house- not the brightest move since they're taking over the house 😏 Gonna have to move them this year to a roomier location.

[@bloggalot4718]

Love the palms, a pity they won’t survive in the U.K. We have to use hardy palms.

[@jomangeee9180]

wow

[@maginot2u]

I can't believe the torn out the beautiful Leyland Cypress. Why??

[@littlemissy8356]

So the question is, what keeps the grass from growing back into the planted areas?? But wonderful job, and great instruction.

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

You. You do. If you don't, it will just take over again.

[@MK-ks3vt]

What happened to the water-feature that you talked about? I don't see it in the finished landscape.

[@pattiearehart118]

He said “future” water fountain.

[@yuanshuan7099]

I think it is a little bit slim. Can be done better.

[@michaelromero1873]

What about crotons, Schefflera elegantissima, Schefflera arboricola, Schefflera amante, spicy japhorta, crepe myrtle. oleander, hibuscus, lady palm. Queen palm is soooooo common.

[@user-zb8by9gd7n]

For the sand trap, would heavy rain wash the sand away and all over the flower bed?

[@Sharon-pb7so]

One good tropical storm and goodbye sand. Personally, I don't like the look at all and it's so white that anything that lands on it is going to look bad. I think it's more trouble than it's worth.

[@avagrego3195]

Less mowing but more time taking care of the beds. Looks good though.

[@littlemissy8356]

Not so much, drip irrigation will probably be added.

[@rmzcreav2857]

Hello mr..am rio in indonesia

[@robertcarlson25]

Where in Florida is this? I have all sand,looks like you didn’t have to amend the “soil” here?

[@cjnicholl8559]

Where in Florida are you? There are plenty of plants that do well in our sandy soil.

[@robertcarlson25]

CJ Nicholl Cape Coral

[@3pumpkins170]

It's in Jacksonville, FL.

[@debralady1469]

I see nothing so tropical...A sand trap gives tropical look?? Smh

[@jeffreyfernandez9410]

How much did it cost for this project? Thank you!

[@carrie0508]

Does he plant anything other a Holly? There are a zillion trees...variety

[@wolfgangdavid8121]

How about a few tropical fruit trees and berry bushes

[@jerimcgee]

If Tom Cruise had a Landscape Channel.

[@songbirdforjesus2381]

Backyard is great as long as you don't have kids who want to play sports in the backyard

[@miaou7052]

anglo work crew? hmmm...that's different

[@mv3240]

v wms This video was shot before their jobs were taken by cheep foreigners and illegals.

[@user-ho8br1cw8c]

Not too tropical looking in my opinion. Other than palms, I didn't see much tropical going on. The sand traps should go. They're not cute, they look out of place and very unnatural with the black edging around them. A lot of repetition in plants. I would have staggered them more and filled stuff in more to create a more lush look. And I would have used actual tropical looking plants, like hibiscus, monstera, philodendron, maybe some impatiens around the border, elephant ear plants, Hawaiian live tropical red alpinia, birds of paradise, canna lilies, mandevilla, bougainvillea, etc., SO MANY beautiful tropical plant and flower options that could have been used.

[@miamichi5]

Look much better..but we all know queen palms are dirty palms...all those huge blk brown balls start falling & the trucks starts drying up & fallen off...the owner's won't be happy with those queen palms...I would of planted 3 foxtails but they are more cost to the designer..🤔 did a lot savings on designers part...

[@aliciaacevedo4459]

Dj Roly G. Love the foxtail palm, thank you!!!

[@frankcain6100]

Digging large any palm any tree you said not to use water when planting cause water doesnt pack tight and leaves air pockets...? Isnt it the opposite? You can even see as you water the bubbles that come up as the water literally fills all crack and pockets in the soil forcing any air out Also go back and watch how you planted those Aztec...come on. Your trying to convince others how great your business

[@daveb8449]

I can't stand palm trees. They're a maintenance nightmare.

[@akira5982]

gay, with tropical u need to go big n bold

[@user-ho8br1cw8c]

Gay?

[@littlemissy8356]

@@user-ho8br1cw8c I think HEY is what was meant.

[@billiebuffalo]

This is really...boring. And he uses the world's worst palm tree. Queens are messy and hard to maintain. Sagos are hard to get rid of, and they are dangerous. Their spikes can pierce your skin and sap can lead to infections and irritation. As a bonus, I like how he bought plants in bulk before he had the area prepared. That there's confidence.