UK Tropical Garden Basics 4: How to Plant a Tropical Border from Inspiration to Design & Planting

[@TheBergmaster]

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens near Weymouth was a big inspiration for me

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s fantastic. I’ve not been there myself but seen a lot of pics from the garden, the planting looks amazing 😃

[@iriviking774]

This Wil be my third year of tropical foliage plants in the garden! I used to have a huge house plant collection but you convinced me that you can recreate that same tropical vibe outside! Now I have an insane garden and everybody loves it and it's pretty rare to find tropical style gardens here in the netherlands. I always wanted to have a hobby such as this and now I got my hands full and really developed a passion for tropical gardening! and it all started because of Your videos!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s fantastic to hear and I’m so pleased you’ve found a passion that keeps you busy and brings you joy! There’s never been a better time to recreate the houseplant look outside for sure. I hope everything grows well for you this year, all the best with and thanks so much for making the time to comment 😊

[@mich25789]

As always, very informative. Thanks George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Michelle 😃

[@onestophoopshop8978]

Excellent video, thank you. You have been a massive help to me in creating my first tropical garden. Desperate for the weather to warm up so can start getting the tender plants out. Xx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, that’s kind of you and great to know they’ve been helpful! Me too, I could have guessed we’d get an awkward winter and spring in our first year here but hopefully onto better weather very soon!

[@JB-lr1tf]

Great vedio iv leaned so much in this one vedio I'm beginning to feel more confident at what it is I wsnt to achieve and plan it out thank you so much 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! That’s great to hear and I hope there’s more helpful info in my recent vids too. Good luck with your garden project 😃

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

There might be more than 10 tips but hopefully they help, it’s an exciting time of year!

[@parttimeninja5521]

Again great video, can't wait to start my own tropical garden! Hugs ♥ for that cute hot dog ☺

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you, that’s amazing and I’m sure you’ll have one soon enough! He’s had a few treats this morning and is now napping, he definitely lives an easy life!

[@minimatty4370]

Great tips. Thank you 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you 😃

[@raphlvlogs271]

having a composting toilet will make tropical landscaping much easier.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It definitely would 😂😂😂

[@littlesammyf7380]

I absolutely needed this, I have gaps, I worried that things won’t fill out and I just need to be patient for a few more months. Thank you George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s great and I’m pleased it’s helped you! You can always fill in gaps if there’s any left but it’s harder to remove plants you don’t want to take out 😃

[@bobcharlie7982]

My parents live a few miles from lands end in cornwall. Im so jealous of the weather they get. I dont even think they had much of a frost if anything this year. Although they get a hell of alot of wind so the plants get battered alot which is a shame. I love driving round and seeing massive echium bugloss, they seem to grow like weeds down there

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’d definitely have a house down there if money wasn’t a thing, it is such a sheltered climate. I guess it is still coastal though but luckily a lot of the hardier plants can take the wind well! Echiums are such an incredible plant, amazing things!

[@bobcharlie7982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden im half tempted to try and convince the old man to let me keep a few plants donw there to grow on, then bring them up here. Not sure its worth the hassle tho

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@bobcharlie7982 It’s more the looking after them that takes the effort, if he’s game then go for it!

[@janica85]

Love your videos. They are very helpful. Thank you so much.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I appreciate it! 😃

[@JH-fv1gq]

Damn , you fit a lot of good info into a vid . My go to chanel for exotics plants, nice one 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I appreciate it and great to know it’s helpful 👍

[@brendapowis2050]

Yeh, thanks George. Really looking forward to watching this and the next few videos. Always enjoy your videos, learn such a lot.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Brenda, I appreciate it 😃

[@msdrummerkitty]

Thanks George! This could not have come at a better time... I'm planning to design my garden this weekend as my hard landscaping has just been completed! ... definitely some tips I will be using!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you Kate, that’s great to hear! What an exciting and convenient time 😂 I’m sure you’ll have great fun and I’m pleased there’s some bits you’ve found helpful!

[@estherterrier6400]

Hi,I moved house so am just planting all my exotics, these videos are really helpful, thanks 😀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s great to hear, I hope you enjoy the process 😃

[@annasutton8078]

Had frosts every morning this week in Norfolk.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s been a rough April, hasn’t it. The below freezing temps have really set back some plants here but there’s not a huge amount you can do!

[@jondi1115]

Great tips George, what are the yellow stem Bamboos you have and do you use a barrier? My 1st year fully committing to the tropical style. Love your content, would like more demonstrated vids too. 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! I grow Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' and then Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis' and 'Spectablis', all lovely golden running bamboos. They will all have a barrier, yes. All the best with your tropical project and I'll try to do more practical vids this year. It's always tricky with more permanent planting and a gardening style with less seasonal jobs but I'll try my best!

[@johncurley1028]

Thanks for this video George. Really making me excited for what my garden may look like in just a few months - really useful info and some needed reassurance! My Ricinus seedlings are doing well - you were exactly right with your advice for those.Looking forward to planting them out after frosts have gone. Thanks again.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s great, thanks John! Pleased to hear your Ricinus are doing well!

[@steverichardson4374]

Good information I'm putting the big stuff in at the minute it's hard two see the end game but all tips welcome bud

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Steve, you’ll get there, just a bit at a time!

[@rj12341]

Really informative video thanks George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers Rich 😃

[@supermankelly]

I put in a 1 ft banana plant but didn't survive winter. Feels like half of what I stick in each year doesn't come back after winter. Its not easy getting the thick high jungle look, especially without spending hundreds on pregrown large plants and trees. You're not in Essex are you so can some do my small garden 😆😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I’m in North Lincolnshire unfortunately, a good way away 😂 How did you protect your banana? The smaller ones aren’t as hardy as bigger plants unfortunately but it may come back over the next month or so. It depends what you plant out really and what you choose to leave out over winter plus the protection you use. This winter has been a tricky one but if you let me know what you think you’ve lost I might be able to offer reasons why. It’s too early to decide if they have or haven’t made it yet, there’s plenty of time for them to pull through anyway 😊

[@supermankelly]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden The red (I believe) banana plant didn't come back last summer. I cut the leaves and put a bag over (I assume I got this from somewhere) it was just a dead "soft mush" after winter. I put a dicksonia in last summer. Looking a bit brown now but still seem to be same fronds as last year (I've cut the most dead ones off) and hoping new ones will come through this summer. Smaller ferns also look sad but still early I guess. I must have had about 3 different Hosta and only one to stay strong all winter and is still there, it is the one with frosted green leaves. It already has purple flowers. The other two seem to be gone. As you said to avoid, I'm just buying whatever I see that might look good in empty spots!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@supermankelly Yes, unfortunately it’s very unlikely you’ll get an Ensete through winter outside and a bag over it is probably the worst thing you could do (it traps in moisture) but we all make mistakes or get given incorrect advice. All my Dicksonias have brown fronds, perfectly natural after a winter like we’ve just had and a couple of them are just starting to send their new fronds for this year up now. Plenty of water this next week and it should come through fine very soon. As for Hostas, it depends on the variety as you’ve noticed, one of mine is quite advanced but a lot of the others are only just starting to move - they are very tough plants.

[@supermankelly]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I read it protected from frost. Maybe I'll try get a larger banana plant and see if more hardy over winter. Do all leaves need cutting off before winter? Well you have the tropical jungle look I want so have subbed. I see more fence and neighbours than garden at the moment. Its a small garden with raised garden beds I've done with sleepers, so getting green any higher than the fence has been a challenge. Pregrown privacy trees ain't cheap.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@supermankelly I chop all the leaves off first, if you follow a rough guide of good sized basjoo = can stay outside, Ensete = come in and other varieties research first then you shouldn’t go far wrong. Thanks for following. A lot of the plants I gave grow very quickly, it all depends on the look you want, the space you have available and whether you want the height to be all year round or just summer & autumn.

[@iviewforfun]

Thank you George! My small garden is a new build and is just 4years old. To start I dug up the obligatory lawn and planted out a fairly traditional English garden. Then I discovered the “jungle look” so my problem is which of the existing plants ( shrubs, roses, trees and mixed herbaceous) can I incorporate into the ‘look’ and which will I have to murder in order to creat my Jungle! Wish me look Mike

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Good luck Mike! It’s completely up to you, some may fit in well, some might clash but it’s not something I’d rush into for the sake of it. If you like any of the plants especially (particularly the herbaceous ones) I’m sure you can work them in, it’s your garden!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Great video George. Super ideas and very well explained. I'n a convert to cluster planting after mixing a little to start with. I've got the arids in the front garden and separated the jungle look for the back garden except for rostratas. Where do you tend to get your china rose from mate? Great video

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you! It’s always interesting to hear what people have learnt and how their gardening methods and designs evolve. I usually get mine from Dibleys Nursery (and was waiting on some this year) BUT there’s been a surge in demand for China Rose recently for some reason! Might have shot myself in the foot by mentioning them a few times 😂

[@kelius24]

*FRANTICALLY GOOGLING COLEUS* haha

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 Maybe Dibleys Nurseries but they’re out of China Rose this year. Turn it Tropical should have some others too!

[@marymary5494]

👌💕

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you Mary!

[@msdrummerkitty]

I wasn't brave enough to paint my fences black....hoping charcoal grey has the same effect

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’m sure it will have a similar effect, I’m a big fan of charcoal grey and it’ll be a great backdrop for all the bright exotic colours!

[@skajdius8056]

Great advice, im just putting a tropical border together, my first!!! gulp!! but im following all your videos and have faith, it will all turn out ok in the end, although its a little daunting!!! I'm looking forward to the next video!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! Sounds like an exciting project, as soon as it’s warm they’re generally easy plants to look after. What sorts of plants are you going for?

[@skajdius8056]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks for replying! we have trachycarpus x 2, cordyline x2 green and 3 red, 1 agave montana, colocasia pink china, various caladiums, cannas and 2 colocasia essculenta plants, also various large bright dahlias for that pop of colour.. so far...... I did want a jubaea but looks too big so im going to have to give that a miss..sadly, just prepped the border, widening it, also added organic matter, next step to paint the fence black!! wish me luck!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@skajdius8056 That sounds like a great mix, good luck with it! You probably made the right call on the Jubaea, they do take up a lot of space!

[@skajdius8056]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden What conditions are musa bajoos ideal conditions? I have a very sunny exposed side, and one which gets the morning sun, and shades from the afternoon heat. the back is north facing, in a south facing garden, if any of that makes any sense?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@skajdius8056 Wind rips them up very easily unfortunately but the more sun the better plus a good rich soil with plenty of summer water will really help them!

[@andyquinn8391]

♥️♥️♥️

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you Anne 😃

[@jimmyalvinewart6361]

Thanks for the great video again. I am learning so much from you. Could I ask you a good supplier for coleus. I need quite a few. I am on a tight budget.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Jimmy! Unfortunately at this time of year you have to buy them as plants and they’re around £2 each. I get mine from Dibleys but I know certain varieties have long waits. It could be worth seeing if garden centres around you have got them in, it’s around the right time...

[@davidbanner9001]

Just had 1500L of soil improver delivered in preparation to planting next month. Then it's time to plant the large structural plants at the back of the border. But I can't find 4ft Waggies anywhere and I need 6 to start with.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, that’s a great buy, it’ll help so much. Hmmm, you might struggle this year unfortunately, are smaller ones an option?

[@davidbanner9001]

It might have to be. I suppose I could also down size the Fortunei and save some money on both?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@davidbanner9001 You could do! I get the need for instant impact but with the prices this year especially I’d be tempted to start with plants with a foot or so of trunk, that’s a good compromise and should start growing pretty quickly.

[@sharonconnors6061]

Hi George can you tell me where you get your china rose coleus from, can't see it for sale anywhere cheers

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Sharon, I've always got mine from Dibley's Nurseries and had some on order recently BUT found out that particular variety has had a big rush this year (I might have shot myself in the foot by mentioning it in a few videos!). I've changed my order to Crimson Ruffles which they have in stock, it's got similar colours so hopefully it creates the same kind of effect!

[@steverichardson4374]

Sorry for pestering you but the yucca Rosetta look fantastic where can I get some and are thay best in a Tub or garden with lots off gravel

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s OK, they are beauties and I got most from Hardy Palms. They grow faster in the ground but good drainage and a sunny spot is really important as you say.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You might also like Yucca Linearis/ Linearifolia...

[@steverichardson4374]

Thanks il have a look not heard off them 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@steverichardson4374 If you like Rostrata you’ll like them, finer and more striking leaves plus they’re even tougher plants!

[@steverichardson4374]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden iv bean looking at the plants you said but thay only had big one two expensive. Can you think off eney where else mite have them in .thay look like thay wood go twogether well

[@smezley50]

Any tips for a windy garden in Suffolk, it damaged my basjoo and tracy leaves.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Les, unfortunately both of those two plants are prone to wind damage and it’s bananas it’s hard to avoid, especially on really gusty days. Other than creating more shelter with trees and shrubs there’s not a huge difference amount you can go do. Trachycarpus Wagnerianus is a stiffer leaved alternative but your Fortunei is still a tough plant, just try to keep it as healthy as possible then the crown won’t look so bad. Is there a more sheltered area you can grow your bananas and big leaved tropicals?

[@Varru99]

Yesterday i finally bought a little tree ferns(Cyaetea but i don’t now what type)i wish it can grow well.You think that in a mediterranean climate i should cover it in winter?thank you George for your videos

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one and thanks! It’ll likely be Cyathea Cooperi and I would be tempted to cover it if you get frosty weather. Plenty of water in summer and it’ll hopefully grow quickly for you!

[@Varru99]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Ok,Here in Sardinia the temperatures never drop under the 3 degrees so i think it’ll be ok this winter.Yes i think that is the cyaetea cooperi too.You know how fast can grow?faster than a classic dicksonia antartica?thank you

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Varru99 It should be fine then. Loads faster than Dicksonia, you’ll be pleased to hear!

[@Varru99]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden You’re right ahahaha,thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Varru99 No worries, good luck with it!

[@YorkshireTropics]

Great video as always! I have tried find those coleus before but can't seem to find them, where did you get the pink China coleus from please?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Danny and thank you. I got mine from Dibleys nurseries but I know on that particular colour you’ll be waiting until mid summer now so could be worth looking at a different variety. I’ll be getting mine preordered earlier next year!

[@cboaustralia]

George how often do you feed your palms how often do they need fed I’m using palm focus any good?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Palm focus is good, liquid seaweed too. In the ground it’s not really much of a worry, in pots maybe every 2-4 weeks from late April through to August or so.

[@cboaustralia]

That’s great George thanks for that really appreciate it

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@cboaustralia No worries 👍

[@pdidm]

Where do you buy your Coleus from? I'm assuming wholesale but where from? Thanks 👍🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I get mine from Dibleys Nursery usually but I know they’ve got a bit of a wait on China Rose at the minute, I should have ordered mine last year 😂

[@pdidm]

Brilliant, thank you. 👍🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@pdidm No worries, I’m sure I saw a You Garden advert for them, not a company I’d usually recommend but needs must this year!

[@annasutton8078]

Thanks George. My bamboo had been in a pot over winter, all the leaves are now brown and dead, the stems are green. I planted it put about 4 weeks ago, will the leaves come back? Do I take the dead leaves off? Thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’d leave it as it is for a few weeks, the leaves will probably fall off if they’re dead. You’ll soon find out whether the canes are going to resprout new leaves or whether the plant is going to send new culms up from the ground in which case you can remove the dead ones.

[@annasutton8078]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks I will do what you recomended.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@annasutton8078 No worries, it’s still a bit early for some varieties to shoot but hopefully it makes a full recovery 🤞

[@dz1515]

Speaking about "planting borders". I wrote you a while back asking about planting palms late spring/early summer. The date of my house being constructed has been pushed back until end of September. Should I avoid planting them, keep them in their pots over winter and wait till spring...or is there any value at all in planting early fall?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Personally I’d say it depends on the palm. Hardy Trachycarpus, get them in, less hardy feather palms etc, keep them in the greenhouse until spring 👍

[@samanthabrake4960]

Have you thought of writing book?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I’d love to one day - it would put the English degree to some use! I’m concentrating on my KZbin and a few other projects currently but it all helps 😃

[@stanleygladstone1210]

My first winter and my garden looked decimated. Looking for evergreens to fill the void over winter. Anyone noticed how hard to buy some plants are this year?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Mine too! They are, big issues on both the supply and demand side following last year unfortunately!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Adding more evergreens is a great shout though 👍

[@Homeonwaterside]

How do you get on with your dog with the coleus? They are poisonous aren't they?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I’ve had no issues with Max and any of the toxic or potentially toxic plants in the garden but he generally leaves all the plants alone. If I had a dog that had a tendency to chew plants then I would have a good think about what I grow and whether to fence an area off etc.

[@Omlittlebuddha]

Where do you buy your Coleus China Rose seeds from? I can’t seem to get hold of any...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I don’t think you can grow that specific variety from seed unfortunately. I get mine from Dibleys Nursery or overwinter cuttings but I know they’ve sold out of that particular variety for a good while.

[@yvetteclayton3773]

Hi George can you come and help me design a tropical garden i will pay you, thanks for sharing however i am over whelmed with it all.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Yvette, I wish I could but not this year unfortunately. What I’d do in your situation is maybe try a smaller tropical border, just go for the plants that really grab you. Find out a bit more about their care and that’ll probably help shape your garden - as you’ve got such a large space, you’ll probably want to focus on hardy exotics so it doesn’t become a very high maintenance space if you can’t justify the time!

[@mamoonrouf]

I guess I'm going to be late for work🤔

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

.... but you need work to buy all the plants!!! 😂

[@mamoonrouf]

Cycle of life George cycle of life. Lol

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@mamoonrouf Something like that 😂

[@rehomedwithlove]

I potted some banana plug plants yesterday and today the leaves are curling, same with the slightly larger ones, they are being sprayed with quite a bit of water twice a day and on a windowsill, any advice on how to save them before I totally kill off my 12 banana plants before they even get outside? Someone said it may be too much heat in the widdow and not enough water but no sure answers.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

If they’re curling that quickly it has to be some kind of shock. Are they over a radiator?

[@rehomedwithlove]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden yes there is a radiator under the windowsill, thought it might be shock but dont know what to do with them as have 12 of varying sizes and dont want to loose any of them.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@rehomedwithlove It could just be the heat from the radiator drying them out if they’ve come from a more humid polytunnel etc. You can’t go wrong giving them more water if they’re warm now. Maybe put that one radiator off?

[@rehomedwithlove]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Think your right, have now mooved them into the bathroom so they get light but not too much heat from the sun. did notice they were pretty dry even after being watered them 3 hours earlier so gave them all a really good drink, think will have to make sure they are getting enough water in future. Thank you

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@rehomedwithlove No worries, being on a sunny windowsill during the day, central heating at night and small pots means that plants dry out very quickly.

[@paulnickson4684]

Cheers George another great video starting to make me think what I can do with my garden .going to be trying to find those China pink what a great looking plant Cheers Paul

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Paul! The China Rose Coleus are hard to get this year unfortunately but there’s a lot of other colourful varieties available!