Tropical garden design & build - 4 years in 5 minutes

Our goal was to transform a baron and neglected garden into our dream tropical oasis, right here in the UK. The garden had been neglected for 15 years before we moved in as the property had previously been a rental. We set about building a tropical garden in Autumn 2018 and had to overcome a number of hurdles. The heavy clay soil was badly compacted and needed to be opened up and enriched if any tropical or exotic plants were going to grow in this space. We dug a stream to provide the humidity that the tropical style plants would need and to attract wildlife into our tropical garden. Slowly we added more and more exotic and unusual plants to help bring our dream of a creating tropical garden alive.
With the addition of a puppy, changes has to be made to make our tropical garden safe for the dog. A short while later we added a greenhouse which helped broaden the range of exotic plants I could grow. The greenhouse was the catalyst in the creation of 'Grow Paradise', our online shop for tropical and exotic plants.
Growing a tropical garden in the UK can be a bit challenging due to the cooler temperatures and lower light levels compared to tropical regions. However, with the right plants and care, it is possible to create a tropical oasis in the UK. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose the right plants: Look for tropical plants that are hardy enough to withstand cooler temperatures, such as banana trees, palms, Fatsias and cordylines.
Choose the right location: Look for a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight, as tropical plants need a lot of light to thrive. South-facing walls or areas protected from strong winds can also help to create a microclimate that is more suitable for tropical plants.
Use a greenhouse or conservatory: A greenhouse or conservatory can help to provide the warm, humid conditions that tropical plants need, especially during the cooler months.
Use insulation and protection: Insulate your plants with fleece or bubble wrap to help protect them from frost. You can also use cloches or grow tents to create a warmer, more protected environment for your tropical plants.
Water regularly: Tropical plants need a lot of water to thrive, so be sure to water them regularly, especially during dry spells. Use a moisture meter to help you gauge when your plants need watering.
By following these tips, you should be able to successfully grow a tropical garden in the UK. Good luck!
📦JOIN THE SEED CLUB: www.growparadise.co.uk/grow-p...
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👍 FACEBOOK PAGE:
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[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

I Had my doubts about seeing snow fall on my Tropical garden until i remembered a movie about Japanese gardens with all the popular Tropical plants and flowers/Trees with steam pools, snow monkeys and yes heavy snow on everything. I Remembered how all plants must have a rest period to regenerate. Some simply need overnight darkness, others need a few months and cooler temperatures to stratify seeds and even some young plants to toughen them up. As for tender plants that i know will be hurt by cold and snow, i simply make them portable and haul them into my greenhouses for storage and to enjoy them by placing them around a seating area inside. Plants too big to move, i simply bend greenhouse frame pipe to make vertical frames that i drape plastic sheeting over to make a type of aquarium to protect them by retaining heat.

[@sauravsingharoy156]

I think it’s not luck but your hard work and so understanding family sir.

[@paultsworld]

Craig - now that was a superbly crafted video! The percussive background matched the tropical theme beautifully - and you finished it at the end to perfection. Nicely paced voiceover as well.

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks Paul. It was originally 10 mins long but I decided it needed to be a bit faster paced to keep momentum. I appreciate your kind feedback. Keep up the great work on your channel too 👍

[@tzwc3571]

Great things happen when you put your heart, mind, soul into it! Keep it up, never stop creating together!

[@nikosifakis1791]

I’m a 6 foot, 265lb American man. I spent most of my life wrestling, playing football, and training martial arts. I consider myself a tough guy. And your video brought a tear to my eye. I don’t even know you, but this video made me so proud of you haha. What a beautiful story, and a cool life you’re living. Keep up the great work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@michelbartolini8340]

I live in Southern California where it’s extremely hot with bad soil. I bought my house in 2018 as well and you were my first video and my inspiration of how I could achieve my tropical paradise. I started with a banana bulb my neighbor gave me. Then I got some Tropicana plants, cannas, hibiscus plants. My bananna plant has multiplied over and over. Because I have a small yard I’ve had to cut them down several times and they just keep coming back and multiplying more. How do you keep your banana plants from taking over your property? Mind you my tropical paradise looks nothing like yours. I have a small income and a small backyard so I kind of planted my plants around the edges of my yard and the entire center of my yard is just dirt, waiting for me to do something with it. In the long run I would love my yard to look like yours and my total dream would be to have a stream as well like yours. I too believe that the sound of water makes plants thrive. Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated.

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Great video - I've followed your progress since the beginning so it's wonderful to look back on how far the garden has come. I'm moving into the third year of my tropical garden so can't wait to see what it's like when it's as established as yours!

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks, it's great watching things mature over the years. Enjoy it! 👍

[@jenniferdsouza2861]

Keep planting. You have done wonders in such a small space. ☘️

[@2012twoods]

Absolutely stunning!

[@amphetaminelogic7006]

Thx for sharing craig! Ive enjoyed and followed much of it. My Journey in zone 8b started in 2007 on less than 100 sqm. Meanwhile weve moved, mainly for the yard now measuring 1500 sqm, added greenhouse, 2 ponds, pool, outdoor kitchen, waterstream and over 55 palms covering appr 15 species. I moved over 12 tons of gravel (just walkeays), over 10 tons of granite boulders for elevated beds, and removed almost 1200 sqm of grass...keeps me fit!! Still going strong enduring our grey and wet cold winters doing whatever seems impossible. Experimenting, failing and succeeding are often very close, but so worth it. Some succes stories are my 35 trachycarpus palms, my 8' Jubaea and Butia, and two pretty chunky 13' Washingtonia palms, next to arrays of ginger, banana and far lesser hardy stuff experimenting. Keep it up dude! 365 days of vacation in your backyard is so cool in our climate. Space is becoming limited again as ive filled up this plot in 6 yrs...

[@annturner7088]

Lovely

[@sophieb8666]

Pretty

[@yishaishasha8690]

Good job, inspiring . I love how the new garden hides and softens all those walls , corners and straight lines that you began with . Regards from guatemala

[@TecOneself]

Fantastic work, it made be cry of it's beauty and arduous progress.

[@nicholaswaddell4141]

Mate if you haven't done an hour long version, please do

[@ZORGONICAL]

4:07 looks so good and relaxing, nice garden!

[@katja_und_mickey]

Such an inspiring journey!

[@sallybush6454]

Absolutely wonderful 😊

[@waynejones750]

Stunning garden 😊

[@TropicalGardening]

Wat a great video! Love to see the transformation!

[@SemihydroponicswithSma]

You and George have the most wonderful gardens, especially with our weather. The soil in my garden is the same, clay everywhere and even if my garden is quite big is really difficult to grow plants....

[@GrowParadise]

Enriching the soil has helped me so much. Thanks for watching 😁

[@ignatiusedwin339]

Amazing!

[@dianesevers2296]

Thanks Craig this was a big help

[@leeann2226]

Absolutely beautiful my dream ❤❤

[@harshkhanna3757]

BRO is literally slowly building his empire.

[@porlandi16]

Nice Job !

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks!

[@abigailmuleta9454]

Wow ! This is awesome, weldone and thank you for the information. Working on a tropical gareytoo

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks, enjoy building your own tropical garden 😁

[@jimbailey3705]

I've been following you for ages and I think I must have missed a couple of videos at one point, because I knew you took the stream out, but didn't realise why. Now it all makes sense. Thanks for this recap video! It's a fantastic transformation. My garden still needs so much work, but it will get there. This cold snap has highlighted to me that I need to focus on some hardier plants. We gardeners are forever digging up and moving plants! I do love your idea of plants in pots so you can move them around. I might try that in the coming summer - depending on if my toddler allows! Toddlers and puppies are very similar...

[@GrowParadise]

Haha, my puppy uses the garden as a toilet too though! It's all about constant change and enjoying the journey 😁🌴

[@jimbailey3705]

@@GrowParadise I think when I get to potty training, the toddler might temporarily end up also using the garden as a toilet. I hope not! ;)

[@billwagstaff9986]

I think you have achieved a fantastic garden it must give you great pleasure , I also have a tropical garden in Portugal I've been here for 38 year's , I'm very proud of my garden also , thanks for your video 😎

[@GrowParadise]

Portugal has the perfect climate in some parts, your garden must be beautiful 👌

[@MsLouisVee]

Amazing❤❤❤❤beautiful garden

[@greenmachinesweden]

Awsome garden and video🙂👍

[@pamelaapgar8184]

So beautiful!!

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks 😁

[@swedishrainbow_garden7672]

Wow! I almost forgot where you started. It’s truly wonderful to see the changes you’ve made. Happy growing!

[@GrowParadise]

Yup, apparently I like to keep myself busy 😁

[@elmiedt5142]

Beautifull goog for you

[@leestockton9367]

It would be good to know the tropical looking plants that survive outdoors all year around

[@GrowParadise]

Amazing suggestion, I’ll put one together very soon 😀🌱🌴

[@Wildnativeedimentals]

Thank you so very much for sharing. Impressive, inspiring, gorgeous garden you have. 🌺🙏🏼🇵🇭

[@GrowParadise]

Thank you so much 😊

[@shijumohanam]

Beautiful ❤. Love from Kerala,India.

[@bloomwithKels]

Beautiful work. 🎉 Thank you for sharing the journey.

[@GrowParadise]

My pleasure 😊 Thanks for taking the time to watch

[@Vivi-hj8jg]

A labour of love Beautiful

[@GrowParadise]

thank you so much 😁

[@sianjones5863]

Great video and so encouraging to a novice. Thank you

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks so much for watching. It surprises me every time I look back to what we started with 😁

[@wesleyhackney]

Nice job sharing your journey in such a succinct fashion. You have captured the idea that the tropical garden is a never ending journey constantly evolving and changing. I share that same thought I’m 3 years into my tropical garden here in Florida. I got hit with a 40 year cold snap of 3 nights into the -5 to -7 C and a few things were lost or lost 5 to 10 years of growth and now I have to decide how to make up for that until they grow back. Happy New Year!

[@GrowParadise]

Just goes to show, the cold get to your garden anywhere in the world! Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@Gold_gyrl]

Very nice!!! 👍🏼👍🏼🏝🪴

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

This is outstanding!

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks so much. It's a real passion 👍🌴

[@sirikunyacrochet]

Wonderfull ❤

[@GrowParadise]

Thank you 😄

[@tara-gy1bz]

Amazing love it 👍🌴

[@GrowParadise]

Thank you 👍

[@craigrogers3864]

Amazing job 👏

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks 😁👍

[@TheLittleGreenBee]

Always inspiring what you manage to do on such a small plot 🤩I look forward to seeing what this year brings 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻wishing you all the best

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks so much, I'm excited for 2023!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Great video as always Craig. You've harnessed the skills you have in abundance in both gardening and the media production to create a career whilst at the same time allowing you to enjoy your passion. You ended your video by looking to the future and at the same time asking for any tips/comments/suggestions. Let me take you back to the first Terminator film of the 80s and the message from the future that John Connor sends to his mother Sarah via Kyle Reece. "The future is not set. There is no fate, but what we make for ourselves"......

[@GrowParadise]

Brilliant quote 👌 Thanks so much for your long standing support Vincenze.

[@MrBaconwhopper]

Hi Craig, I just realized from watching this old video that you swapped your shed for the greenhouse at some point. My garden is quite similar in size and I have a shed in the same spot and always hated the fact that it takes up so much space but I figured I need it to store things like tools, bbq and bicycle. I was just wondering where you store those things now the shed has gone.

[@bamboo782]

Great video loved it now that l just join the seed box club thank you the story just started.

[@GrowParadise]

Thank you so much 😁 And welcome to the seed club!

[@jiteshpujari1]

Your garden looks amazing. How do you manage during winter. Does the garden still look green during the winters?

[@hughmartinmcalary7702]

Inspiring Craig. Great to see your journey all in 3 years. I think im right in saying - and change job, then leave it to start your specialist nursery, which im very greatful for as ive found a good few plant tropical plants. Plus I've met someone I can quiz on want im doing 😬 Its a huge credit to you and your wife. This is my 3rd year and still so many ideas I want to do but I'm enjoying the journey. I wish u all the success and hope you continue to grow.

[@hughmartinmcalary7702]

Forgot to wish you a Happy New Year 😀

[@GrowParadise]

Thanks Hugh, I really appreciate your ongoing support. I am always happy to chat plants 🌱🪴🌴😁

[@altheawilliams5026]

Beautiful. Are you leaving the succulents out in the winter?

[@jillroberts1279]

I love your garden, may I ask what growing zone you’re in?

[@jackiehaston3057]

How many metres is the garden .it's beautiful

[@geeijo5756]

Craig What does your garden look like in the winter? I'm familiar with Cannas and cutting them down in the winter. Is that what you do? Thank you in advance for your response

[@thanassiss1371]

amazing. How big is your garden side?

[@bethechangebath7663]

What you have achieved is so inspiring. Loved watching it on a drab day looking out at my garden, which took a big hit last month with the deep freeze. Do you share your planting plans? I have narrow borders. Do you supply most of the plants you have in your garden? Good luck with the business.

[@GrowParadise]

I sell lots of what I grow, mostly from early spring. I sell seeds and have an exotic seed subscription box called the Grow Paradise Seed Club. Thanks for watching 😁👍

[@andrewp7497]

What happens when winter comes? Surely it will suffer as they are not designed for frost and snow conditions?

[@AmericaCirclingTheDrain]

Where's the puppy? Love the garden, but seriously, where's the puppy?????

[@AmericaCirclingTheDrain]

@@Rollwithit699 Garden people... 🙄

[@leestockton9367]

He said he took drastic action regarding the puppy so it's probably buried somewhere in the garden! 😂

[@Knapper94]

Hoping those farfugiums are going to be on sale come Spring ;)

[@GrowParadise]

😁🤞🪴

[@evanspark1510]

wow i dont get it, so you have snow there and you were able to grow tropical plants? how is that? im in california and during winter gets pretty cold but not to the point of snow and i lost alot of my tropical plants with the cold and the rain

[@DanH282]

Have loved following your journey the last few years. I feel your pain with the clay I had to excavate a lot and then bring in new top soil as it didn't drain at all for months. Facebook marketplace has been great for materials on a budget. We've also got a small garden and can be quite windy so still finding what works. Also it's north facing so the house puts half of it into deep shadow most of the time. I'd love to grow more from seed. Can it be done in a cold frame or a heated greenhouse needed really? Keep posting the updates on the ever changing garden!

[@GrowParadise]

Hi, I've got a video coming soon about growing seeds that don't need a heated greenhouse. Most often a sunny windowsill is perfectly good enough 👍

[@microwavedcheetos]

DAYUM its been 4 years already?

[@tasneemsa7688]

Do tropical plants survive in snow.

[@Layby2k]

Great video. What were some of the main fast growing canopy plants that you grew?

[@GrowParadise]

Rhus typhinia, Arundo donax, Eriobotrya and Catalpa were all great 👍

[@Layby2k]

@@GrowParadise Thanks buddy

[@roland-plus]

"Give a gardener space and they will fill it" ---spot on

[@vivamanda1]

D you have any plant for shaded gardens?

[@GrowParadise]

Yes, I’ve created a whole video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ2pf6Gwid53oLssi=weIuIakonsuerndb

[@KostaLooki]

Then you have to move out 😂

[@GrowParadise]

I used to worry about that, but then decided to just love gardening wherever I am! :D

[@KostaLooki]

@@GrowParadise same but I’d get too attached to my garden and the feeling of all my progress going to someone else would hurt me 🥲👍🏻

[@nielsvvvv]

garden is simply to small

[@GrowParadise]

...But mighty

[@YaoEspirito]

Sorry. A quick downvote for all the mangled, distorted, broken images. 👎🏾 Unwatchable.

[@engrahmed7122]

you are a courageous and inspirational. thank you for inspiring,

[@GrowParadise]

Very kind of you!