Sunny September Tour of my U.K. Tropical Style Jungle Garden

An early September tour of my UK tropical style garden, walking through my leafy North Lincolnshire jungle and talking about how my exotic plants came through the colder winter freezes earlier in the year and have generally grown surprisingly well considering the cool, wet summer this year! As always, I've tried to include as many hardy exotic plant names, planting ideas, overwintering successes, plant failures and care tips to hopefully help or inspire you with your exotic garden. Today's main topics are filler plants - great for instant impact and creating a lush, colourful garden but can they overstay their welcome, the evolution of an exotic garden and how some plants like the Gunnera manicata / cryptica might just have overgrown their space! The garden has been a low maintenance project this year, with most of my efforts focused on continuing my fire pit sunken patio and Mediterranean garden transformation so it may lack the finesse and finish of a perfect summer display with bedding plants and containers BUT I think it's helpful to see just how well a lot of plants have done with no care whatsoever! From Dicksonia antartica to Canna altensteinii, Schefflera taiwaniana to Borinda papyrifera bamboo it's actually been a great growing season for a lot of exciting and colourful tropical style plants, so I hope you enjoy seeing them and, as always, just ignore the weeds...
Feel free to leave any of your tropical style or jungle plant questions or experiences in the comments, it's great to hear from you!
0:00 Intro
2:14 U.K. Tropical Style Jungle Garden Tour - small foliage border plants
4:07 Borinda papyrifera blue bamboo growth rate
4:44 Tetrapanax, musa basjoo, Trachycarpus princeps hybrid palm
6:01 Musa sp. ‘Tibet’ with Cyathea medullaris & Schefflera taiwaniana winter losses
8:23 Huge Container display - Hedychium ginger, Canna musifolia & Miscanthus lutarioriparius
9:53 Dicksonia antartica overwintering successes and failures
12:24 U.K. Jungle garden full of exotic palms, bamboo and banana plants
16:45 Fargesia angustissima and Borinda lushuiensis fast growing & tall bamboo plants
19:03 Ensete banana with ‘the strangles’, Alocasia & Begonia luxurians
21:32 A HUGE Gunnera manicata / cryptica clump - my biggest plant leaves!
25:48 Easy and low maintenance tropical style plants which come back every year
29:45 Tetrapanax papyrifer pupping after cold winter freeze damage
32:59 Musa basjoo, Eucalyptus glaucescens, Trachycarpus wagnerianus palm & tree ferns
35:42 Butia eriospatha cold hardy feather palm recovering from U.K. winter freeze damage
37:09 Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’ and screening blue bamboo plants
42:43 Hardy exotic & Mediterranean garden plants for sunny, exposed garden border
48:51 Sunken patio garden project specimen palms, yuccas, agaves & Mediterranean plants
50:46 Butyagrus / Butiagrus eriospatha rare cold hardy hybrid feather palm
55:14 Eucalyptus & olive tree grove and sandy raised beds with Yucca Rostrata & grasses
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: ko-fi.com/georgesjunglegarden​
Thanks,
George

[@staffordshireShane]

I'm watching this because it says "sunny" in the title George. 21st of December shortest darkest rainy day. Take me back to the sun☀☀☀☀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, it seems like a long time ago and what a dreary day it’s been! The sun will soon be warm again I’m sure 😊 (Well, soon-ish meaning in the next 6 months, I’m not a completely soppy optimist)

[@shineamenmbs3107]

Dasylirion longissimum is one of the most beautiful plants have seen in a long time!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh yes, I completely agree, have you seen how spectacular they look at full width but before they start trunking, incredibly spherical, shimmering and structural - all the 'S' adjectives!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Indeed! 💯

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I'm pleased you agree and hopefully it proves as tough as it is beautiful!@@shineamenmbs3107

[@annclarke9865]

Absolutely stunning

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Ann, I might have sounded a bit analytical / self-critical about certain bits but I really am pleased with how well it's establishing and coming together - even the plants that might need a bit of a juggle around!

[@YorkshireKRIS]

Fantastic tour. My favourite area is the arid planting and Eucalyptus trees at the end of the garden. The passion for the garden and plants really shines through 🌴🌴🌵☀️

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Kris! Great to know the plant passion comes through and I'm tempted to agree with you that it's now my favourite area too! I'm pleased I left it until nearly last, I think it's really helped to consider and simplify the planting and create something that'll hopefully look really special in time. As we talked about, I think a bit of simplifying the middle area, removing a lot of the cannas, Rex pups and hylotelephiums and introducing more hardy begonias and ferns will really help bring balance to it so I'm really looking forward to seeing what it looks like next year. Your garden tour was great too, I'll have to pop over in the not too distant future! Thanks again and all the best.

[@thetropicalgardenproject]

Gardens looking fantastic George great job

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

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

[@missdimples1982]

I'm really excited to watch the hardy Mediterranean plant's grow, they are probably the ones I will choose for my own garden as I don't have an over winter area

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Me too, it's definitely the part of the garden with (hopefully) the least care / overwintering and watering requirements so we'll see how it comes together. I'm probably a way off getting the paths finished but I'm looking forward to seeing how it all looks when they're down and the borders are tidied up. It could look pretty crazy when the Jubaea palms and yuccas get big!

[@rstabij]

The garden is amazing. Love the borindas and the eucalyptus.😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I'm really pleased you like it! I can't wait to see how both those groups of plants develop over the next few years - it'll completely change the feel of the garden with the extra height and exotic backdrop!

[@willclark7318]

Great videos George. Fantastic garden. Could you make a video about your watering and fertilising routine throughout the year?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Will and thank you very much! They're both topics I will try to cover next year, thanks for the suggestions but if you want the truth this year then I've done very little of both! The Gunnera area, pots and tree ferns get watered during drier spells but when it comes to feeding, I've only used the 5x slow release feed I made a vid about in spring then a slow release granular feed for the palms so there hasn't been any regular feeding other than for the potted bananas, gingers and cannas. Improving soil is definitely the way forwards to helping these plants thrive long term!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Hi mate. I've really enjoyed the tour tonight with a cold beer 🍺 in tow. Refreshing to see the picture as you moved in, bare and stark. Beautiful contrast now with the amazing planting. My personal highlights 1. Musa Tibet. Absolutely love the shape of the leaf and colour to that. Stunning. Never seen that one before. 2. The jubutia I can't forget. Every time I see it, just sets the tone. Stunning 3. Really surprised by the winter damage your eriospatha took. Not quite as bad up here but still week long freeze and -6°C. Eriospatha wasn't protected but flawless afterwards. Both my odorata (again unprotected) took some minor damage to the frond, even my jubaea did, but the eriospatha didn't. Bodes well for the butyagrus. 4. You didn't mention it but your Mexican barrel cactus is superb. Mine croaked last winter when I left it planted out. 5. Princeps hybrid (tallest) just looks fantastic. Beautiful silver to the fronds 6. I really enjoyed seeing the small exotic border you featured at the start. Beautifully planted with contrasting foliage 7. The yucca area over the firepit is just class. I enjoy my hardy arid plants even more in the winter. The fact that they transport my mind somewhere warmer in the coldest day in winter is priceless. 8. I'd love to see a tour of the polytunnel particularly in winter. 9. Have you ever grown mangaves at your place? I'd be interested to know. Just some ramblings.....As always loved the video. Take it easy 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Good evening @vincenzecalzone8666 - great to hear you enjoyed the tour and I'm honoured you took an hour away your various projects and palmage! It's definitely come a long way and as frustrating as it can be too not be able to crack on as much as I want, it's a great reminder looking back and I try to see the benefits in slowing down and considering things. I still make mistakes, but more slowly haha! To address each of your highlights as they deserve to be: 1. Musa 'Tibet' - it's a beauty. My contact / 'source' had his cut to the ground last year but it's come back to 4 / 5 foot so I guess the hardiness may not be too far off basjoo in practical terms for most winters as he is quite exposed. It's definitely got a different vibrancy and the leaves are certainly even more 'paddle shaped' so well worth growing and I'll spread it to elsewhere in the garden eventually rather than just that experimental / propagation bed. 2. I agree, bought large but no regrets there, it's my statement piece and will only look better as the Chamaerops as Trachycarpus grow up around it! 3. Yes, our temperatures probably don't convey the full story. We were lucky in terms of absolute minimums but were subjected to a lot of freezing fog and very little morning sun to warm things up. The other factor is that it's in quite a shaded area and the growth was rapid following the red hot summer into a wet, mild autumn combo. So although the main leaves didn't get damaged, all the softer, curlier ends got completely fried. Still a tough palm and I'm convinced it'll grow it out well. 4. Mine will be coming in, I'm not as brave as you with the cactus. It potentially needs repotting but is a heavy beast as it is so we'll see, I might give it a go one day! 5. That Princeps Hybrid is a beauty. I was going to have three Waggies at the part of the garden directly at the back of the house (which I don't really show on vids) but I'm now leaning to three of them. Fast growing, lovely silver and they're big statuesque palms. 6. Thanks! It was a basic video excuse that's literally kept growing in a suboptimal spot with minimal care or watering. All I've done is trim the Persicaria down through summer to keep the balance and that's it. It proves how easy a 'tropical' style garden could be if we weren't so obsessed with rarities and unusual plants! 7. I appreciate it my friend and I'm looking forward to it too. I do have my doubts about the filifera and torreyi but I'll genuinely enjoy seeing the rostrata and linearis / linearifolia in the snow or a good crisp frost. I hear you! 8. I was actually speaking about that with Kris and my current setup is so incredibly basic, just a 4x2m polytunnel with my potted semi-hardy plants and recent divisions lined up each side. More practical and efficient than in the past, if I can get it looking OK I'll see what I can do. 9. I have, I had one planted out behind where the potted polyphylla is last summer but brought it inside last winter and it's stayed potted outside since. One of the groups of plants I'll use as a summer display around the fire pit when I'm at that stage but I might not be brave enough to leave them out just yet! Cheers for the ramblings and kindness, I appreciate your input as an arid aficionado and palmage purveyor, all the best!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

@GeorgesJungleGarden Cheers buddy. Much appreciated 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries and good luck with your allotment side project! @@vincenzecalzone8666

[@GrowTropicalMK]

This is a good tour George. I am excited about growing Persicaria for the first time this year.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I'm sure they'll add a lot to your garden, great mega-tough filler plants for adding foliage without any hassle.

[@McGoga]

One hour well spent, thanks George. About three year rule, I thought I was the only one in the world who cant grow bamboos 😎 cant wait for next, the third year 🥳

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, I'm pleased you enjoyed the vid! I wanted to make it a bit longer to explain things and tell the story more than just present it as a summer display (which it isn't this year really) - the plants have grown well considering the amount of TLC they've had! As for your bamboos, yes, they're definitely a plant that seems to surge away after a few years. Obviously a good rich soil and the right amount of water help but time is the biggest factor, I hope they really grow well for you next spring!

[@Tminus89]

Very pretty!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@groundedgarden1461]

Hi Remi! That Gunnera is so amazing! Star of the garden. Thanks for another video

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha I'm sure he would say hi back if he could! The Gunnera is amazing isn't it, one of my favourite plants that I've been interested in since I was a child. I don't want to chop it back but will find a way of showing it off whilst being able to get past it I'm sure!

[@groundedgarden1461]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I feel like winding the path around them might be an option so you can just let them be

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Do you know what, that's what I was actually thinking about last night. Extending the path a little close to the Trachyarpus palms (the cannas and a lot of the Tetrapanax pups are coming out anyway and potentially moving the mostly recently tree fern behind the first Gunnera so they can do their thing with hopefully no problem. That combined with a slightly taller wall to angle them up might just be the answer! @@groundedgarden1461

[@groundedgarden1461]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden it would be kind of nice to have a bit of a wondering path also. Makes you want to follow the bend and see what is around the corner

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@groundedgarden1461 Completely yes, I'm very lucky to have a long garden but I do sometimes wish it was a few metres wider to be able to have winding paths with planting either side. Instead, I try to create that effect with the plants, so the tree fern 'avenue' obscures you view into the jungle clearing area, the Gunnera is certainly doing an unintentional job of screening the planting behind but then the path straightens up through the bamboo tunnel to give a view of the large palms around the fire pit. That's the thinking anyway, we'll see how it evolves!

[@jameshorton8404]

Brilliant. Thanks George, I've been watching in stages all day. Just finished it with a beer with my feet up. Perfect.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, thanks James! Pleased you enjoyed it. I won't always put up one hour vids necessarily but sometimes it helps to give a full explanation / story especially when it's been a while and I do the same as you, start watching vids then pick them up again from my history. Hopefully it didn't come across as too self-critical, I just like to look at things and think what's done well, what hasn't and what I can mix up going forwards.

[@jameshorton8404]

Your videos don't come across as too anything. I appreciate the honest chatty style and your outlook reflects how I approach my garden. I'm the first to criticise myself and recognise my wins. Working it all out, gaining knowledge and solving problems is the enjoyable part. If I owned the perfect garden someone else had planned I wouldn't be interested.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers James and you're completely right, especially with the closing statement. If somebody had built the walls and patio for me, put a few yuccas in and surrounded them all with colourful gravel I certainly wouldn't appreciate it in the same way! It's all about the experiences, lessons and unexpected evolutions!

[@RimaFair]

Fab garden! I was mesmerised all the way through, until I saw a eucaliptus!!! And another one??? And yet, - another one... This fact has spoiled my morning 😂. Before this moment, I thought your garden was perfect 😢 What I mean is they are nice looking trees, but will grow into gigantic sizes and yes, will dry up the area around them. Your neighbours will love you 😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thank you very much - don’t worry, no offence taken 😂 Not all Eucalyptus grow large but the larger two are sensibly sited where they can grow big and not really have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area (we’re talking 70m away from houses and 20-30m away from other people’s actual planted up gardens). My immediate neighbour actually loves them 😂 Well, for now at least! For smaller gardens there are infinitely better choices but for a fast-growing, exotic looking and drought tolerant evergreen tree with beautiful foliage and bark in the right spot I think they’re amazing 😃

[@RimaFair]

@GeorgesJungleGarden I agree that they are quite exotic and the aroma is incredible. Glad that yours will not be affecting the surrounding areas, - would have been sad to see your other plants to be depleted of moisture and nutrients. Good luck!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and no worries! They’re going to have some effect on the surrounding plants but like everything it’s about balance and there’s nothing like trees to transform the feel of a garden, especially a jungle one!

[@stuartbuckingham2062]

Thank you George - you are so inspiring. How did it take an hour to walk from one end of your garden to the other? I mean, what an amazing walk - a truly transporting journey. You have and still are inspiring me to develop my own garden; I just wish I had started earlier! Looking forward to years of joy.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you Stuart, that's really kind of you! Haha yes, I'm sure I could have run it in 15-20 seconds but I'm pleased this slower walk around brought you some inspiration and information. I've made some changes over winter which will hopefully have it looking more balanced this summer so we'll see. The second best time to start is always now so you've made the right decision and I hope it continues to develop well and bring you a lot of satisfaction and happiness. Thanks for watching and if you want more ideas, check out my garden visit playlist on my channel for other visits to UK exotic gardens and exciting plant growers!

[@Xc31]

that Gunnera is wild! cant wait to have a garden and plant some!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It certainly is isn't it! Just mad how big the leaves are already and it's still only a baby in the scheme of things! Good look with your garden adventure when you're able to get one!

[@Knobblytyressoggysocks]

Seeing your small dicksonia , I shall be bring mine in over winter this year when the temps drop.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

If it's potted then that's definitely a wise idea when it gets colder, ideally a frost-free polytunnel or greenhouse with half decent humidity.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

Looks great George! I want to try and get my hands on some of those eucalyptus… even if it’s just for the fragrance. I have to say, I can imagine a pondless waterfall, interrupting the pathway near the tree ferns in the shed. And maybe a bridge or some steppingstones to go over it, and get that sound of water. I guarantee all the tree ferns would appreciate the extra humidity as well.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I love them although the eventual size and water consumption are definitely factors to be aware of! That would be lovely wouldn't it, I've actually got something similar planned long term. I want to build a lean to greenhouse against our neighbour's garage just before the shed, basically following the line of it and joining onto it. Along the front of it (basically opposite the Tetrapanax and Musa 'Tibet' border) I want to have a raised stone bed built alongside the greenhouse for a few gingers, and also a small waterblade leading into a raised pond. A bit of a compromise in some respects but safer than a ground pond and I'd still get the sound of the water, the extra humidity without restricting the path any more. Something like the ponds in Simon Mabury's garden that I visited would be amazing but not really ideal for here currently.

[@milkweeddreams8828]

Oh that cobble wall haunts me...must build one and that olive tree...mine is still quite small, but it will be amazing when I put in the cobble wall and possibly some Cali poppies, I love them in your garden, a perfect addition. I took a break from the ginormous mulch pile that was delivered yesterday to walk my banana paths and was surprised to find 4 new banana blossoms and huge bamboo shoots popping up...geez, when you least expect it your garden tells you it's happy...glad I took a break and saw your video pop up...now back to the wheelbarrow, it's calling my name...thanks for the tour again...!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, there's just something about the old cobbles and mature olive tree that just works isn't there! Even if I had no yuccas and just filled the raised beds with poppies it would stand out. You love your mulch don't you, good stuff! It's amazing to hear how fast your bananas and bamboo etc. grow for you, things have generally been even slower than usual here this year but overall the garden has done really well and I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing it. Thanks again for your support as always!

[@aquachimp1]

Looking very lush, which is ideal (but I will have to return later to finish watching.) Still, a fabulous degree of change over 3 years. Well done.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! Yes, it's a longer vid but I wanted to make up for the lack of regular updates this year haha!

[@leemaharg3788]

I'm glad I'm not the only tropical gardner that has this problem 😂😅 Too many damn plants ,you plant small and in no time they are huge 😂😅 My wife keeps on saying I told you ,you had too many plants 😂😅 I think there's no such thing ,just a lack of space to put them in 😂😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hahaha nope, it's always the way! Even if you designed a garden with the room to evolve and not just be a 'display' in it's first year, you're always going to have plants which grow better than expected or develop in a different way than anticipated. It's definitely exaggerated with the speed of these 'tropical style' plant though, you're right, they soon get massive! A bigger garden, that's always the dream isn't it although I imagine we'd still fill fields planting forests of unusual trees soon enough...

[@irismoles9369]

Thanks for sharing I thought you were never going to get to the fire pit looking good

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Iris, I know the feeling! I concentrated on it in spring then I've focused on videos recently but I'll hopefully be progressing more with the digging over winter and construction in spring (when I can get barrows through the jungle area!). It'll come together eventually I promise!

[@missdimples1982]

I love the beginning tropical border, I think I will mirror what you did there

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one and thanks. I do like the ferns and Heucheras, very simple and hardy but with the right colours and planting density they certainly fit in with the look in my eyes! Maybe see if Dirt Cheap Plants have any of the hardy begonias in (they like shade) or I think Plantsman's Preference sell them for affordable prices too.

[@missRbeckett]

My Alocasia odora was a bit overcrowded by Tetrapanax which like yours, shot up everywhere. I think you have a Rex there. People will argue that Rex doesn't pup. Lots of established plants with a good root system will shoot from the roots on the death of the main growth point! I know mine's a Rex (from Urban Jungle) and i now have about 50 😂 I've green keeping an Alocasia above a radiator by a north-facing window - sounds inhospitable, but it's grown HUGE there.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Alocasia are definitely a group of plants which seem tougher than you might expect aren't they! Mine survive winter inside in a cool room with minimal water, yet grow away again without issue in spring. As for the Tetrapanax, yes, Rex can certainly pup although probably not as freely as the papyrifer form. You're right though, when the growing point properly dies back, I think established examples of any of them are likely to pup away. Personally I think this one is a papyrifer but I've got others that are geunine Rex plants and some which were sold as Rex but display a mixture of traits so potentially it's a complicated issue! Very cool plants whichever forms we all have though!

[@mikeedwards8694]

Really lovely garden nice,thanks for sharing I’ve opportunity to purchase 6 ft tree fern but scared of my 2 week holidays and no watering😮

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Mike! Don't get me wrong, tree ferns could survive that just fine, I've hardly watered mine this summer but it's been a wet one since June and they're relatively established. A newer plant left for two weeks in the middle of a dry heatwave might struggle though. Maybe get some automatic irrigation set up or get somebody to water it?

[@darren9279]

Amazing garden George!! 🌴

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Darren, it's coming along nicely all in all!

[@richardgoodge7666]

Truly stunning 😍 ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Richard!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

This time, no one can dispute the name of your channel, not even W. Axl Rose.. It's not a garden anymore, it's the real Jungle! Colossal job you did filming, editing on this video (the description too). My possible top 3: Trachycarpus Princeps Hybrid, Borinda spp and Fargesia angustissima. Did i forget something in this list? Yes, all the rest!... Absolute beauty everywhere! Special mention to the metal hearts at the top of the bench's back. Very elegant. Bravo and thank you George!🌴🌿🏵

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha and wow, that's high praise indeed thank you as always for your kindness and highlight selection, those are definitely the structural plants that make the central jungle area really work for me! Thanks for noticing the bench too, my Dad used to have a plot of land and it had been left rusting away there by the previous owners so I took it to our old house and brought it here. It's battered and definitely has that aged aesthetic but it's a lovely bench and deserves to be used! You've got an eye for details as always. Thanks again for watching and take care Bernard!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Also, thanks for noticing the editing and description etc., I do enjoy a lot of the stylistic editing, even in relatively simple videos like this but the description certainly takes time. Hopefully it helps people find the sections they want to watch though if there's a specific plant they want to see growing here.

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Yes, it is useful, and also the use that Yt does of the timestamps, at the bottom of the video or on the right side. Thanks a lot again mon cher George, and long live the Jungle Garden and...the King!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It's definitely a helpful feature and worth putting the work in. Thank you and see you very soon! @@shineamenmbs3107

[@marcschmitz7712]

Like Bob Ross used to say. There are no mistakes. Just happy little accidents :D I have the same problem as you. To many filler plants or a garden that's to small. Thanks for

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true! I'd still be complaining I couldn't plant enough trees even if I had acres! There's a lot of experiments and trials, sometimes they work well and produce happy accidents, other times they don't but you learn from them. The only real 'mistakes' are when I've identified an issue last year but never got round to changing it haha, that being said, with probably a few cannas out and some bedding plants in, you'd have never really known what I was and wasn't happy with without me saying. I enjoy being analytical about it at this time of year, but you've got to enjoy the journey above all else!

[@gordonissocoollike]

Wow. George a triumph hope for us all

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Gordon, I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing it. With a bit of tweaking over the next year hopefully it’ll look more balanced and colourful next summer 😃

[@xplosivebaits7750]

The person who gets to buy this house in 50 years is one lucky sod

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, who knows what'll still be there then and how big it'll be! I'd like to think some of the palms especially will definitely have a chance at a good long life.

[@estherterrier6400]

Beautiful ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@marianne9798]

I have been busy in my garden and just come in for a break and watched your video. I love seeing them and listening to you, it's so therapeutic! Your Gunnera leaves !!!! Omg!!! Amazing. How many tree ferns do you have? Look fab. The bamboos are stunning. Cheers George, have a fab weekend

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you Marianne, great to hear you enjoyed the vid. As much as shorter topic-based vids are the way to more views, I do enjoy making the longer ones with more of a story and atmosphere more so that's what you'll be seeing more of. The Gunnera has done so well, I didn't realise it would get this big this quickly and I've only fed it once this year! I've got a fair few tree ferns, I bought them when they were a lot cheaper - I certainly couldn't afford them all at the current prices! The bamboos are definitely the plants that take it from a tropical style garden to a jungle in my eyes, I love seeing how much they grow every year. Thank you for your support, I hope you have a great weekend too and got on well in your garden today!

[@bellsibub9951]

I love your tree ferns!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, they’re one of my favourite plants and really make my garden feel like a proper jungle 😊

[@bellsibub9951]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden you gotta lot of work to do! I think it is amazing what you have done there but some plants seem to be too crowded in places! The quicker you tidy it up, discard rotting failures, weeds etc and get yer path and water feature done you could open it to the public and make it pay for itself. Call it George's Secret Jungle. ha ha..

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, plenty of work, excitement and opportunity in equal measure! Yeah, there's definitely some crowded areas - mainly the main path past the Gunnera but now the row of cannas has come out and the path altered over winter I think it'll look more balanced and refined this summer, hopefully you think so too. Other areas may look crowded currently but that' a necessity in having the canopy / taller plants in place and over the next 3-5 years, the growth should really help with visual separation and layering in other parts. It's all a journey isn't it and I definitely prioritise growing the plants I want to grow and making these videos over having a 'perfect' garden! I'm not sure I'd want it open to the public but I enjoy sharing the process, successes, failures and helping others through my vids and I appreciate you watching. The money would be nice though haha!

[@bellsibub9951]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Well said George! it's a never ending journey of discovery! I have quite a boggy garden in autumn, winter and spring. Do you have any evergreens that can handle boggy conditions?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed! Hmm, that's an interesting question as most of my default boggy garden suggestions aren't evergreen. I think evergreen ferns and Carex sedges would be my choices (some evergreen ferns can get quite large!), maybe a small Dicksonia tree fern and Trachycarpus palm for height (they can tolerate quite a bit of moisture) then I'd lean to the hostas, Rheums, Ligularias, Rodgersia etc. for spring and summer leaves.

[@stevebacon1026]

Hello george. Ive just watched your amazing tour of your amazing tropical garden, absolutely stunning! . One day when youve finished your end of garden project and are happy with the outcome, maybe you could open it up for people to have a look? Id come up from kent to have a look ( with me trowel !). Well done george. Top man , regards Steve.👍🌴.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Steve and thank you very much, I'm really pleased you enjoyed it and see the potential! I'd love to have an open garden one day, I'm a good way off it yet but certainly in the future and of course I'll let yourself and others know through my KZbin / Facebook / Instagram. Cheers for your support and I hope you're having a great weekend.

[@wendydolluk39]

Don’t know how I missed this video but wow one for contemplation. Been in our new home almost two years and it’s time to swap out the original owners plants. I have several plant me on pots waiting for their place in the borders. I have two Callistemons, one red one pink both are hardy in tubs left out over the winter. I have a Trachycarpus fortunei in a pot too, it’s only small but it will go in. I’ve noted lots of the plants you’ve used for fillers and hopefully I can get some. The begonias are beautiful. Keep posting as I love watching your videos especially on cold days like today. P.s Does your Dachshund dig up your plants? I’ve been contemplating getting one as my daughter has one but she doesn’t have a garden and I’m not sure if I would want my garden trashing 😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and apologies for the delayed reply. I'm pleased you enjoy my videos and I'll be back to regularly uploading very soon. It sounds like you've done the right thing of taking your time and planning things through well. I bet you're looking forward to spring and seeing it start to come together, good luck with it all! I'll have some more Begonia grandis 'Sapporo' going in the ground in spring, they are beautiful, very easy and should thrive in the semi-shade. As for your Dachshund question, ours don't, no. Luckily! I believe some do but ours have never been interested in digging. Remi is eager to know what I'm doing when I'm digging but I think he gives up when he realises there's no buried treats. They're definitely full on dogs though as you probably know!

[@Salsa_Souls]

Well done George! I'm personally glad to have lost some plants in my first two/three years with the frosts. It will allow me to concentrate on the hardier ones that will make it and still look amazing. Yeah I could gamble but you only need two weeks of -10 to kill them off even with protection. You need more flowers in there. How about Salvias?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I understand that, better in some respects that the experiments were lost earlier on but I guess it's in our nature to be experimental to an extent! I'll definitely be letting the hardier background develop over the next few years though, you're absolutely right that it just takes one colder winter to take them out even with all but heated protection.Yes, flowers are definitely a lower priority currently (there'll be more ferns and begonias going in) but there would actually have been a lot more salvias in there had it not been for last winter! I left all my Amistad and Concolor out and whilst they've mostly come back, they've been very slow to get to flowering size unfortunately. They will be reintroduced at some point though, I'll potentially take cuttings this winter to get a head start for next year.

[@mina-sp8gz]

Hi George. Inspirational as always. you mentioned that you found your own seed grown canna was probably the easiest and most successful.. which one was that?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks, the one I grew was Canna altensteinii, a lovely and easy taller canna 😊

[@stephenbutler6960]

Nice tour George, the jungle is looking good. Have you planted all your Yucca rostrata this year? Will they get any winter protection from the cold or wet weather? They look great in groups.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Stephen and thanks! They have all gone in the ground this year but I don’t plan on protecting them, in theory they’re very tough and most of the plants have been outside potted for a number of years without issues. They definitely have a lot of impact in groups don’t they, it’s a look I’ve been looking forward to planting up and I’m excited to see how they develop 😃

[@missdimples1982]

Reallt sorry you lost your black tree fern George 😢

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Don't worry, just one of those things. Not that it makes a difference but it wasn't one of the really cool black ones, it always looked more green but I did the best I could without building a heated enclosure so lesson learned! I'm pleased the rest of the Dicksonia tree ferns look so healthy now.

[@missdimples1982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden the ferns look like a picture straight out of the jungle, amazing work

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, they've done really well with very little effort and I hope yours do too!

[@tukangtamankwb]

very beautiful, lush tropical plants in your place, what if it snows, what will happen to your garden?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! A few of the plants come inside for winter, some get protected outside and a lot are tough enough to survive the snow, frosts and freezes we get here. A lot of it is about creating a tropical effect without every plant necessarily being tender and unable to survive our winters.

[@NikNakGB]

Great video, thanks for sharing, the garden looks great, looking forward to seeing the firepit area completed. Using planters sounds like a good idea for the Gunnera, one other idea you might like to think about are large baseless flower pots. My garden is nowhere near the size of yours but having a chimney pot in the bed seems to work well with Aubrieta growing from it blending the hard stone in with soft plants. I'll reply here with a link to a youtube video but KZbin may delete it hence why it's in the reply, failing that you can search for "Baseless Plant Pots - the Ultimate Timesaver & Design Hack" should you wish to see more. Might give you the height you're looking for along with a unique look if you can find the right pot.

[@NikNakGB]

Baseless Plant Pots - the Ultimate Timesaver & Design Hack kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5DNiamuga6NobM

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thank you very much! I won't pretend it'll be completed quickly but I'll enjoy sharing it and I'm looking forward to seeing more progress soon too. Ooooh, that sounds interesting. If we lived in a wetter garden, I'd certainly do that but with the Gunnera being thirsty it may be a problem. I'll give it some thought though and thank you very much for the link, I'll check it out later!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Link received thanks, maybe KZbin allowed it as it's another vid?

[@DJSupaflyguy]

You know your bamboo at 17:50 is it a clumping bamboo? Because when you show ground section of them after height it looks tidy an non running. Is this because you’ve got barrier round it or maybe even cut away runners ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, Borinda lushuiensis is a clumper, yes. Potentially a tall one so it's somewhere that hopefully has the space for it.

[@missdimples1982]

The Gunnera really is amazing, I know what you mean about wanting room for other plants, but maybe move out all the ones that don't tolerate shade, because that Gunnera is really something and would be a shame to chop back

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Yes, we're on the same wavelength there, it's an amazing plant and I'd never want to hack it back. Maybe removing the outer clumps would give even more room for the central one though, that would be something special! I'll have a look later in the autumn after it's been chopped back and make my mind up from there!

[@lynnwright1566]

How do you ever find your dogs?! 😂 I’ve got labs and they still get lost in our garden 🙈

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha you can always hear a sausage dog before you see them! Max does have a habit of running down the garden now and again when I put him out to go to the toilet before bed though - there's been a few times when I've had to put a coat and head torch on to track him down!

[@heatherfindler6950]

Hi George. Amazing video. Those Gunnera's....wow! You have made me want more tree ferns, stunning plants in my opinion. When I started my garden, the tree fern was the first plant I bought and it never fails to impress me every year. Just been watching gardeners world and the use of hessian sacks to act as a jacket around the trunks. Thanks for sharing a full tour of your garden and can't wait to see the project finally complete!!!😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Heather and thank you very much! Yes, the Gunnera and tree ferns really are amazing this year, they're definitely establishing well now and have been helped by the cooler summer. I'll be having a catch up of GW, you certainly can use hessian. I generally go for fleece but bought some hessian to go round them to make it look neater (if I get time!). Thanks for your kind comment, I don't about 'complete' but I'll certainly enjoy sharing the journey of progressing the garden as it happens!

[@henrywaterhouse6291]

The tibet has grown very well, when did you plant it? Did you protect it? I didn't protect any of mine, they all came back as well as the basjoo, although a couple of weeks growth behind. The big plant yours is off has only got to four foot this year. I'll wrap it this year. Definitely another good addition for a reliable hardy banana.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It has indeed Henry, thank you very much again! I cheated, it was potted and stayed in the polytunnel last winter but got planted out in May. I'm going to take the pup off it and overwinter it the same way but then wrap the main plant in case we experience similar weather to last winter. They've certainly got a different look to them, more vibrant and elegant than basjoo.

[@henrywaterhouse6291]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden your very welcome. Tbh I was a little concerned with mine after not protecting them, I was glad you had one. They do look different, it'll be good seeing yours start off bigger next year. I was going to say with your polyphylla, plant it vertically in/ontop your cobble wall, all mine flowered this year after -8 unprotected, all the vertical planted ones didn't get any damage and were the ones to flower.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I'll also feel better with a back-up but hopefully the winter is kinder than last year and I'm able to keep some more pseudostem height. My polyphylla is lined up for that exact reason, it'll likely be planted close to the top of the cobbled wall. Great to hear yours have not just survived but thrived following such potentially potting temps and I think you're absolutely right that the vertical planting is crucial. I'm sure they can take more humidity than most Agaves but obviously don't like the water freezing into them while they're horizontal. I'm looking forward to getting it in the ground, it'll certainly add a bit more of an unusual exotic touch to the sedums.

[@missdimples1982]

Those Golden Bamboo are amazing, how far would they run if you don't box them in?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

They are beautiful aren't they, so bright and colourful. It's hard to say an exact amount as every plant and division can behave differently in different locations but they can certainly travel a good few metres and form another clump - I wouldn't want them to go next door.

[@Xc31]

a good and "safe" rule with running bamboo is that it will run about as far as it is high. The only problem is that the new shoots will form new plants, that will run out further, and repeat the process untill a barrier is met. Unless you have a huge plot of land where you can plant running bamboos a good few hundred meters from the neighbours you'll need to put up barriers. Otherwise you'll end up with a huge grove.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@Xc31, that's a good rule to work off thanks and for the individual clumps for a good while you're right. It varies in different climates and with individual plants and gardens so some Phyllostachys stay relatively compact here appearing to behave like a clumper and others might decide to run after 5 or 10 years giving you a surprise. Whilst you never really know, I generally recommend researching pics of mature examples and using a barrier for anything that isn't a tight clumper or you have the right space for.

[@Xc31]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden almost purely anecdotal, but I think soil conposition and weather play a huge role. Rich loose soil and wet weather = long runners and dry compacted soil and dry weather = shorter runners. I work as an arborist for a city council and we've got some "wild" bamboo growths that have escaped their gardens that I monitor and I've noticed progress has in some spots almost halted where the shoots started to grow from the planted border into well trodden grass with a pure sand soil composition. They do seem to pick up "speed" (distance) when it regularly rains though.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Your theories would definitely tie in with what I've heard a couple of experienced bamboo growers say, bamboo tend to stick where the soil is rich and loose and moisture is present when surrounded by drier areas but equally thrive even more and spread quicker when the whole area is like that. So, potentially a way of restricting them (if not completely controlling) in drier areas or equally a push to getting proper barrier in the ground elsewhere!

[@danwilson5160]

Those are not Delosperma, which is hardy, they're an annual called the Livingstone daisy, Cleretum bellidiforme (aka Dorotheanthus bellidiformis or Mesembryanthemum criniflorum). They are easy to grow from seed.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, that's exactly the info I was after! I appreciate your help and I'll grow some more again in the future!

[@danwilson5160]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden no problem. Other easy succulent annuals are moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) and Sedum rubens 'Lizard', those two will self-seed once grown too.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for the bonus suggestions Dan, I'll have a look into those!

[@Omlittlebuddha]

Such a joy to see your garden journey George, my favourite is the back of the garden, looks like another world. Superb! ❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much! As much as I love the jungle area, I think the back of the garden has the potential to shape up to be my favourite part too. I've tried to really create a completely different look with the plants, maybe gone a bit yucca crazy but hopefully as they get tall it'll be be an impressive place to take in, with the room to enjoy it too! Fingers crossed. Thanks for your support, I enjoy sharing the journey and lessons on the way as much as any 'end' results.

[@ankitanag6753]

Hi, I need a little guidance. Can I plant canna, alocasia odora, and colocasia diamond together? I am in trouble figuring out which one will go on the back side because of their height. And what should be the spacing between these 3.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, is it in a UK garden and which Canna is it you're looking to grow?

[@ankitanag6753]

@GeorgesJungleGarden it's for UK garden. I have ordered from farmer gracy, canna mixta is its botanical name.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and sorry for the delayed reply. I had a look at Canna mixta over at Farmer Gracy (presumably that's where you got them from) and I suspect it's a trade name for the variety they sell rather than being a botanical name as such - although I might be wrong. The product listing gives a height of 50-70cm but then also describes them as tall growing up to 2.5m so I think they're safely classes as a taller plant potentially for the rear of the border. As for the Colocasia and Alocasia, growth rates and eventual size in the UK can be very limited by the weather and depend on the type but planting them 30-50cm apart should be good spacing for small-medium sized plants.

[@ankitanag6753]

@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks so much. I'm planning to put them today, but this weather is not allowing me to😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Apologies for the delayed reply. Personally I'd hold off a bit for a few weeks as it's a bit chilly for Colocasia and Alocasia outside but depending on where you are, you might get away with it. I usually wouldn't plant the more tender plants out here until May.

[@davidbanner9001]

Our first daughter? Have I missed something? Or is it just future planning and lots of ongoing practise?

[@stephanietaylor1572]

Harriet was born last winter, she is lovely

[@aquachimp1]

Yeah, I noticed the "first" bit too and wondered...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha I did notice the stress on first in the editing but there's nothing to read into it, I was just trying to emphasise the difference that having your first child makes to your lives - a big one!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Stephanie!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@aquachimp1 One is quite enough for now haha, but I can see why you were wondering!

[@Buuge124]

The Ensete issue could be Canna virus perhaps?- They are unfortunately cross compatible with the virus

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I was speaking about this today with Kris. We don't think it's Canna virus as none of my cannas are affected and I haven't bought any in a good few years but we definitely agree it's something fungal or viral as even my stronger plants have markings and blemishes on the leaves. Hopefully it's something they recover from or the overwintering process sorts out.

[@bigtimer6834]

Where can I order fig trees? I can’t find any in the US

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I'd love to help but I'm not sure in all honesty, I'm in the U.K. I usually find that searching for the Latin names of the cultivar or species you're after helps though, hopefully you find a specialist nursery who offers them.

[@staffordshireShane]

Take cuttings from a local tree . They root easily in spring . Iv taken some off of my trees started with 2 now iv got 5 .

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Great tip thanks Shane, hopefully you can find some @bigtimer6834

[@bigtimer6834]

@@staffordshireShane sounds like an idea however I can’t even find one to get a cutting. Wanna send me some? I need George to send me all his cuttings to the US and help me build my tropical garden.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Sending plants from here is tricky these days unfortunately, I've known a lot to be delayed or lost in transit and it's not something I'd personally do unfortunately but if I hear of any your way I'll let you know! Maybe ask Loree at The Danger Garden or somebody who grows a lot of foliage exotics in the US where the best places are?