How to design a tropical garden border - hardy & low budget

This video will guide you through designing and growing a hardy tropical garden border. The plants in this tropical garden border are low budget, low maintenance and will work together to build a tropical garden that looks lush and healthy all year round. Featuring tropical garden design sketches with detailed plant names, this video will help you design your own tropical garden border. The ideal size for this tropical border design is 2-3m wide by 1-2 meters deep, however the design can be adapted to meet your own garden size.
This tropical garden design will take very little time to care for when the exotic plants become established, with three days work to maintain the entire tropical garden border.
00:00 Introduction to growing tropical gardens
00:47 Starting you tropical garden design
01:10 Adding Fatsia to your tropical garden
02:24 Adding tall plants for vertical interest.
03:00 Arundo donax for exotic height.
05:00 Adding musa basjoo banana plants
05:25 Adding Trachycarpus fortunei
07:00 Using hard landscaping for interest
08:03 Adding evergreen ferns
09:30 Using evergreen Acorus grass
10:30 Adding flowers to your tropical garden border.
11:50 Dahlias for tropical colours
13:00 Salvias for tropical gardens
14:14 Growing Colocasia 'Pink China'
15:00 Tropical garden care
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[@GrowParadise]

This video has been re-uploaded after mysteriously disappearing from KZbin. Thanks to those of you that let me know that it had gone 😁

[@jaxtreasures]

I really appreciate the tips and plant knowledge , getting a good selection of plants now for my garden and enjoying your channel . Thank you, Craig. Keep up the good work.

[@louisegalloway1016]

This is the best, most informative, helpful, tropical boarder advice I’ve seen. I often feel a bit overwhelmed but now I’m excited to get started!

[@patrickbrennan911]

0:23 I have to say, I don’t mind the bare look of my garden in the winter months. I LOVE when things take off it spring and transform the garden. I have someone who comes to clean the home every Wednesday and right now she can’t wait to arrive and see the changes every week! Mind you I have some architectural plants which always offer something for the eye. Tasmanian Tree Ferns, Musa Basjoo, trachycarpus.

[@phildendron4702]

from the philippines… thank you so much for your wonderful and helpful tips..

[@leestockton9367]

Might want to give Mahonia Soft Caress a look as a good mid-front evergreen with yellow flowers in winter; I've got four dotted about my garden which sits on the edge of The Fens with it's cold north easterly winds and they're absolutely fine

[@cjchilli]

This is such a great video, thanks for such a clear presentation of what plants to use, why, how many and where! I love tropical garden schemes and have always wanted to have a go! Thanks so much! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@eftitasusarani5865]

I can hardly believe that the garden is in UK Looks like one in my neighborhood. Amazing, especially when you have to deal with low temperature. Still it looks amazing ❤️

[@GrowParadise]

Thank you 😁

[@gordonissocoollike]

Good stuff . I did your earlier plan and found the coloured sweet corn a poor germinator , and ordered more from various suppliers. , it was amazing that neighbours. Commented. On exactly those plants being unusual . Inspiration is indeed worth it .

[@sunnysm1230]

You are awesome! Thank you!!

[@laurenmacdonald9742]

this is just what I needed! thank you!

[@GrowParadise]

No problem, I'm glad you found it helpful 👍

[@ekaterinouchat]

Excellent !

[@yellowfuchsia1]

I have some Bergenia Eroica at the front of the border. The leaves are low growing and evergreen. In spring, they throw up tall red stems with bright pink flowers. I am also a fan of hardy fuchsias - the deciduous ones with big flowers not the evergreen ones with small flowers. My particular favourites are Dollar Princess, Garden News and Genii. They grow in part shade and look great peeping out through other plants. Cut down the old growth in spring when the new leaves start appearing at the base and they will flower all summer until the first frost. Fuchsias are easy to propagate by rooting cuttings in water.

[@avocadoclub8203]

Make More please. Your video is amazing. I live in Northern Ireland but I am originally from Brazil. We just got out first house with a garden and I can’t wait to create my own tropical paradise. Thank you

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks! There are some beautiful exotic gardens in NI,your garden will be lovely I'm sure 😁

[@tharr182]

Amazing, straight forward and informative video! Im at the beginning of starting my own tropical boarder, having just finished my sleepers. Ive got some soil improving to do as its mostly clay, but will absolutely be using the plants you've mentioned. I've got some ferns ready to plant and a Trachy and itching to get the rest in. Think ill be adding some Hosta's to the mix as well. Thanks again for a great video!

[@deniseheanue1447]

Thank you so much I really did'nt know where to start, but this has helped me a lot. Again thank you

[@GrowParadise]

Fantastic, thanks for watching it Denise 😁

[@loydperkins7007]

Great 👍

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

Great job with this one. I like a lot of these hardy Tropicals. I grow some of these as well.

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks 😁

[@junebrown3465]

Love your video

[@angelajeffery8997]

Absolutely love this…so helpful and informative! I was just wondering what would be the minimum size border needed for this? Also, realistically what sun and or shade requirements? Sorry if the questions are rather basic as I’m fairly new to this kind of gardening!

[@Xtramedium1961]

Great vid cheers from Co Wicklow Ireland 🇮🇪 oh don’t forget giant lilies and canna

[@mark145max]

great video, thanks you....tha't given me lots of ideas

[@GrowParadise]

Cheers, glad it helped 😁👍

[@irismoles9369]

Thanks Craig

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks for watching Iris 😁

[@kthup]

Great tips thank you new sub :)

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks, welcome to the community 😀

[@DJSupaflyguy]

👌👌👌👌

[@Falcon408]

Thank you for the video. Great hardy plants for winter, but do these survive direct sunlight, warm summers?

[@zachfevans]

Awesome video, gave me some great ideas for the front garden I'm looking to develop this year! Especially the Bishops of Llandaff [or Llandaf ;) ] As I'm in that area!

[@GrowParadise]

Glad it helped! I'm thinking of making more of this style of video.

[@zachfevans]

@@GrowParadise Yep you should! It's great having ideas for bundling plants together, even if not in your own garden but in others or public/private gardens. Not just pointing out the plants (though that's always helpful) but showing why these formations and colours work great etc, thanks again!

[@jademurray8235]

Another fantastic video, loved it🌿💜🌿💜🌿

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks Jade 😁

[@angelacobb5896]

What evergreen ferns would you use? They will be in sun but hoping the musa basjoo will cause some shade.

[@patriciamikouchi2537]

new to topical gardening. Live in zone 8b and don't know one plant from another. Do you have basic video on how to recognize different types of plants?

[@francisgeorgemurphy]

Just the inspirational video I needed on this cold January morning. I have 2 new borders to set up in spring and now can't wait to get going. It would be great to see a similar video of a border with a reasonably unlimited budget, how would it compare? What would be in it? Thanks again for a great video

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks, and that is a fantastic suggestion for a video! 😁

[@lindamaclean556]

Thanks so much for the excellent video. My second year of this type of gardening in my very small garden and sometimes all the info on the internet is confusing. You have made it easy. Thanks again.

[@deniseheanue1447]

Hi Craig, sorry to bother you, but i have about the same size garden as you. I just wondered where you hang your washing ?

[@polderpipo2269]

What is the name of the plant on 34 sec? Very helpfull video!

[@brendamcalpin4288]

Can u provide names of evergreen hardy ferns please

[@mrchrisjones]

Great video Craig. Is Arundo Donax ok to grow near my house? I always worry about foundations.

[@GrowParadise]

I wouldn't plant it too close to my own house...if that helps? 😁

[@dz1515]

Great video, thank you. Any recommendations for some great privacy evergreens (tall) but don't take a look of real estate (small yard)? USDA zone 8b/Koppen climate classification warm-summer mediterreanian (CsB) = rainny winters, very dry summers. Fairly close to Victoria BC, which is more of a 9a zone.

[@GrowParadise]

Try Magnolia grandiflora or Eriobotrya japonica 😁

[@nicolalambourne4904]

👍

[@battyjoe]

This is exactly what I am looking to do along on side if my garden. I have about a 25ft space I want to use. What time of year is best for starting this project?

[@GrowParadise]

Autumn is a great time for plants hardy evergreen plants (Fatsia, Trachycarpus palm, ferns) I would add the herbaceous perennials in early spring. 👍

[@DJSupaflyguy]

Where can I get the pink China plant from ? Do you know as I can’t seem to find any. I can find others but not that.

[@aantonio1173]

Hi, thank you for this great video! Another suggestion for structural and high evergreen hardy element : Clumping bamboos! Fargesias are non-invasive, well behaved bamboos species, unlike the running bamboos types. I found them stunning! Growth pendulous : Fargesia nitida volcano/ Fargesia rufa (2m) Growth upright : Fargesia Jiuzhaigou 1 (2m) Fargesia robusta Campbell (4m)

[@GrowParadise]

Absolutely brilliant suggestions, thanks so much! 😁

[@leestockton9367]

Never underestimate the power of a bamboo dotted about the garden for helping to add that tropical look

[@brachypelmasmithi2498]

What is the other hardy colocasia?

[@JB-lr1tf]

I am realllly struggling with getting the look I want in my garden I feel stressed how did you add these plants in and out I need an app like this so I can see what things look like instead of spending hundreds of pounds and don't like what they look like when there in the border. 😓

[@filiplofstrom8076]

What about adding something like Helleborus 'Winter Moonbeam'? Evergreen folliage that feels tropical to me, would contrast well with the grass, and then you get the subtle flowers when nothing else is in flower.

[@GrowParadise]

Great suggestion, I really love the dark purple cultivars too

[@gails139]

Do you still have your arundo donax? I ve just bought one and after researching it is apparently invasive. I want to use it potted up down the garden with the pot in the ground. Question: Has yours spread/ expanded much since first buying? I want to keep splitting mine and potting up for down the garden if possible.

[@GrowParadise]

I'm propagating it at the moment to add some back in to my garden. It was very well behaved, only expanding about 10cm in all directions in 3 years. When I wanted to shrink it the clump was easy to dig out. Thats here in the UK, in warmer climates it is VERY vigorous.

[@spr1997]

@@GrowParadise I'm in the UK, too , S. London. 10cm in 3 years, thanks 👍 that's useful to know. I'm also considering about whether to put it in a 1or 2x4 moveable raised bed about 3 ft high, then divide and repeat as it grows. Decisions, decisions. ...🤔..... thanks for the info 💯

[@Stevenm0422]

what's the other Hardy collocasia? curious as I have got pink china which i know is hardy and recently black coral but don't want to risk it

[@dropbacknaga]

Believe it’s the Colocasia Gaoligongensis

[@GrowParadise]

Yes, Colocasia gaoligongensis....I wasn't brave enough to attempt pronouncing it 😂

[@wesleyhackney]

Good video learned a few things. But my concern is the salvia and dahlias need sun which my garden does not have a lot of so I struggle to find flowers for shade. Any suggestions?

[@GrowParadise]

Hi Wesley, Salvia 'Amistad' tolerates partial shade really well. It will flower more in sun but you still get plenty in a slightly shaded spot. You could try Impatiens for exotic flowers in shade. 👍😁

[@wesleyhackney]

@@GrowParadise thanks I might try them yes o use impatiens and enjoy them thanks for the response and advice

[@yellowfuchsia1]

I have a patio area that gets hardly any sun. I have containers with fatsia japonica, hosta and hardy fuchsia. In late spring (after the last frost), I add impatiens and coleus and it looks great all summer. All these plants work in borders as well as containers.

[@wesleyhackney]

@@yellowfuchsia1 thanks for the suggestion

[@DJEK44]

So how do these plants fare against deer? The bane of my bulbs.

[@susanmills8628]

Fantastic video do you sell any of these plants I can purchase 👌

[@GrowParadise]

Hi susan, thanks for watching. Yes I sell most of these plants at different points in the year 😁👍

[@rensin7740]

Can you design an evergreen tropical garden for zone 5 in U.S.A.?

[@GrowParadise]

I will note it down for a future video 😁

[@olsonlr]

Don't. sell yourself short on which colocasias you can grow. I'm in zone 7b and grow all of the "Hawaiian" series; black coral, blue Hawaiian, Hawaiian Punch, etc. Like it wet.