When to plant out Summer Tropical Plants in UK Gardens...

Here’s my tips and advice on when I plant out both hardy exotics and the more tender ‘tropical’ plants to create the summer garden here in North Lincolnshire, UK. I also cover hardening the plants off and why it’s worth being patient and why waiting just a couple more weeks can make a big difference to your tropical garden’s summer growth.
This was a change to the planned video after seeing a few people asking about the subject in the Facebook tropical gardening groups. There’s no right answers but I try to take into account the potential for another ‘Beast from the East’ in February this year and another early May frost. Hopefully it helps and I’d be interested to hear how you all do things differently throughout the UK! Please leave a comment if you’ve got anything to add, you never know who it might help out.
Thanks,
George

[@joannejohnston3531]

Great advise and tips as always, thank you George! I am enjoying your videos very much and I am learning so much too!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Joanne, that’s great to hear! If there’s anything more you want to know on any of them just drop me a comment 😃

[@bobcharlie7982]

Cant wait for the spring, fed up with being cold! Havent done anything in the garden since the autum. Just way too cold for in the winter

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I understand and that’s perfectly fine! Hopefully we get a few milder days very soon to ease us back into it! It has been a chilly Winter for definite, alternating between frost and dull rainy days, neither of which are great fun to be working outside in!

[@bobcharlie7982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden lockdown isnt helping things either!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@bobcharlie7982 That’s true I guess. I’ve worked all the way through but the lack of daylight hours to be outside is especially frustrating this year when we all need a distraction from everything! Spring will soon be here...

[@garyb7837]

Looking forward to the spring too! I would agree with the autumn period stretching to late December (some years). I managed to keep doing odd jobs in the garden and planting clematis, magnolias into December last year. And May does seem a age to wait !

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

There’s a definite shift in my eyes, and it let me get on with loads of planting. Hopefully this coming month isn’t incredibly cold and I don’t regret that! May does seem likes a long time but I think the Spring build up makes it more bearable!

[@edialbert8035]

Great work on the video 👌👍 Indeed the winter season has moved in a major way. I remember when we had snow and freezing weather down to -20°C in around December, but now the wors weather is around February/March.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you! Wow, -20! What have your minimum lows looked like in recent years?

[@edialbert8035]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden , we had -7°C in the winter of 2018/19 and -5°C in 2019/20. This winter, the lowest so far has been -12.1°C but the worst has yet to pass, so far a couple of weeks below zero and looking at a few more...

[@idageorgegardenlife]

Wonderful job you have a beautiful tropical plants collection.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! I’m so excited to see how it develops over this year!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

The garden that is, not the collection - I’ve got plenty to be on with!

[@jonmold6574]

Great advice George, thanks for posting :) I'm starting a small tropical garden this year so following your channel is a must. Looking forward to the design series as I'm starting out. I have a west-facing garden which I imagine is tricky as it has lots of shad from the house.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Jon! Nice one, they’re exciting plants to grow and the amount of Summer growth they put on from June - September is amazing. I’m doing a series on the basics and one on design which will hopefully help. Does your position mean you get the mid - late afternoon sun or very little, even in Summer?

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Great advice George. I'm coastal NE uk. The biggest struggle I have is the patience to wait until the right time to plant out. The seaside protection definitely helps though. Cheers mate 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I’m with you on the patience being the hardest part! I suppose your proximity to the sea does help reduce the chance of damaging late frosts but the fact you’re further North could mean you’re week or so after us here soil temperature wise? It’s all a gamble at the end of the day!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Definitely 😂. As long as the plant isn't too expensive I do like a roll of the 🎲🎲👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@vincenzecalzone8666 It’s all pretty much luck at the end of the day, no matter how calculated we think the risks are!

[@Weerchris]

Thanks for the video! December has become an autumn month here in The Netherlands as well. No major frost or snow has occured the last three winters but there might be some on the way next week.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries! It sounds like we’re in the same boat but hopefully the cold isn’t too bad for both of us! What sorts of minimum temperatures have you seen in the past few milder years?

[@Gardeningat58N]

Great video, here in north Scotland my last frost is usually late May/early June so I grow many of my plants in a polytunnel or conservatory to get a head start on the season before planting outside. I've even seen frosts in July and August which have damaged tropical plants, but luckily mid summer frosts don't occur most years here.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, that’s interesting to hear! I’d definitely do the same to get the plants sized up to make the most of the shorter season. There’s that many people in the Facebook groups around London and the South coast, it’s easy to forget how tough you have compared to us even half way up the country! I remember seeing some of the August temperatures in previous years and wondering if they affected tropical planting badly. Are there any plants you don’t bother with due to the shorter reason?

[@Gardeningat58N]

​@@GeorgesJungleGarden The biggest issue I have is cool summer temperatures, luckily I'm near the coast and so -10C is the coldest it usually gets, although I used to live in the highlands and we used to get close to -20C most winters. The average daily maximum temperature where I live in the summer months is 18C so it only goes above 20C for about 25 days each summer. Many plants will just grow slower and flower later, but some tropical plants can be an issue. If the plants are from the montane tropics its not so bad as they are used to cool summers. Most people don't bother with Dahlia, Banana, Ricinus, Hardy Hibiscus, Pear, chrysanthemums, bamboo, or Salvias. Any plant that flowers late is not really worth it unless you bring them on early inside. The plants that do best are early flowering plants such as spring bulbs, Rhododendrons, Azalea, Lupins and fox gloves. Even Japanese knot weed doesn't grow well, there used to be a patch in my old village and in the 10 years I lived there it spread about 1 foot. The biggest surprise plant is Gunnera manicata, there is a garden near where I lived call Leith Hall which is nearly 200m altitude and they had a huge one there which survived our -20c winters and loved the summers, mind you when we had -20C there was usually two foot of snow insulating the ground. But on the bright side its easy to grow Meconopsis and Rhododendrons here, in fact Rhododendrons cause huge problems on the west coast spreading all over the place and smothering all other plant life. Local estates spend thousands each year to try and eradicate them.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Gardeningat58N Wow, that’s all interesting to know. I thought it might be the case but I guess you really do have to adapt and only grow what you can well. The season can be too short for some cannas and hardy gingers here so I can completely understand that plants like that just aren’t worth it for your area. I’m not surprised that Gunnera does well as it enjoys the damp and cooler summers but i am surprised to hear it’s survived temperatures that low, that’s impressive! There’s a few woods around here where Rhododendrons are certainly the dominant shrub but I would have ever considered them to be an invasive or problem plant, interesting! Are there any other tropical looking plants you can get away with / would recommend growing that can survive your winter lows but still grow through summer?

[@Gardeningat58N]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Where I am at the moment I can grow Trachycarpus fortunei, Fatsia japonica, Eucalyptus gunnii and hardy varieties of Zantedeschia aethiopica. But further inland there isn't many options except some of the hardiest bamboos and gunnera. Although Pampas grass, Mahonia, Hosta, kniphofia (if the hardiest variety) and Crocosmia can give a more exotic appearance. I'm going to try hardy gingers, cannas and bananas this year, although I will dig up half and mulch the rest and see what works best. Also I'm planning in spring to water with hot water to heat up the soil. I also find that if you can improve the soil and feed lots it can help make up for the cooler weather, plus microclimates are very important, especially keeping the wind down. It can be 10C, but if its strong sunshine the plants leaves can get up to 30C if its not windy, any wind and the leaves will cool down to near ambient even with strong sun. I've not seen any ginger or banana in my area, but I like a challenge, I grew up on the Isle of Wight and Hong Kong so I think that's why I've always preferred tropical plants.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Gardeningat58N That sounds like the mix of plants I’d go for too, there’s still plenty of options to make a leafy tropical garden for sure! You’re 100% right about microclimates and improving the soil, you’ve got to make the most of what you’ve got. Ahh, so that’s where your inspiration comes from! I’ve never been to anywhere tropical but love the plants!

[@bloggalot4718]

In Shropshire in 2020 we had a late frost in the middle of May which damaged some plants. Best to keep some fleece handy just in case.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s good advice and yes, it can certainly happen! I’ll probably add that in when I do a video about planting out later in the Spring. Did any of your plants get bad damage or was it just a slight frost burn?

[@bloggalot4718]

Yes my hydrangea was damaged so we lost the flowers for summer, I will take my own advice this spring and keep my fleece handy. Thanks for you posts, I will plant out my bananas which are in pots probably in May if the forecast is good. My other bananas in the ground are wrapped up. In Shropshire mid May is usually the safest for tropical planting about the time bedding plants go in.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s a shame about the hydrangea but great that you’re planning this year out already. Mid May is about the safest time but I’m always keen to try for early May if things are looking good!

[@saltlifess6226]

The ideal soil temperature should be between 55 and 60 degrees to plant palms.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s interesting to know thanks! I suppose the palm variety, location and soil water levels are all factors too, personally I think late March is a great time to start for tough Trachycarpus etc, then late April for the more unusual varieties that can be grown here.

[@saltlifess6226]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I'm a retired horticulturist living in Florida and enjoy your show

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@saltlifess6226 That’s fantastic to hear, it must be amusing for you occasionally to see what we try and get away with growing here!

[@waynebroughton5047]

Great videos by the way

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I’m pleased you’re enjoying them!

[@kris662]

Watching your videos back as I've recently found your chennel. When do places like b&q, b&m etc start getting tropical style plants in? I went to b&q recently and I the phoenix palms they must have had over a dozen dead ones.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey Kris, it's sad to hear that they've lost a lot of Phoenix but I guess they're stock from last year that didn't sell and it's unlikely that places like that would go to the efforts of protecting in case of an unusually cold spell like this year unfortunately. For hardier exotics I think April onwards but May is the real month for new tender stock coming in at those kind of places so not long now! Thanks for watching my vids, happy to help if you need any more info.

[@foiler666]

🌴In my mind spring begins on the winter solstice,although I don’t plant out til mid may.🌴Your garden will look amazing🌴🦚🌞

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I hope so! I think spring is the season I look forward to and appreciate the little glimpses of more than any other, hopefully we have a kind end to winter first though!

[@oliverbrown1804]

To think it's the 8th of May 2021 and we had snow the other week...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I know, a bit different to previous years for sure!

[@yvetteclayton3773]

Hi George, where abouts do you live in Lincoln, i live in Edwinstowe xx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Yvette, oh right, we’re nearer Scunthorpe so North of Lincoln 😊

[@louiset445]

Can I please ask, would a trachycarpus f be happier in a border than in the big pot it's in now (58cm) ? Thanks!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

100% in the border, it’ll be more healthy, the leaves a darker green, it’ll grow faster with less additional watering and feeding and the plant will keep its green leaves longer. If you look at the vid I did a bit back on Trachycarpus, I had those 5 Fortunei that form the back row mostly in 160lt pots and they’d completely filled them within a few years. They can survive in containers but I wouldn’t recommend it long term.

[@louiset445]

Gosh! Thank you so much. That's fantastic advice. I'm going to watch that video now. 👍🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@louiset445 No worries, they’re quite fast plants when they’re in the ground, maybe a foot of trunk a year once they’re settled in!

[@waynebroughton5047]

Quick question how do you go on with the ricinus with your dog as I’ve just bought some seeds ready for summer,cheers from the West Midlands

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

He’s never been interested in them in all honesty, but I generally plant them at the far end of the garden, where he doesn’t usually go unless I’m out there. Plus I’m always having to keep half an eye on him at all times anyway! Obviously I’d you’ve got a dog who does nibble at plants then I wouldn’t risk it personally.

[@octavenoize]

Hi George, what variety is the thick stemmed yellow bamboo? is it clump forming? Thanks for the video

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks! Is it the one I specifically looked at you’re meaning or the three big clumps of the thicker variety I walk past? Unfortunately none of them are clumpers, but if it’s the one I looked at, it’s Phyllostachys Aureosulcata Spectablis or f. Aureocaulis depending on whether you want the green stripe. They can run though unfortunately!

[@octavenoize]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks. Yes that's the one. I think I'll go for it..love the look of it. I'll look Into creating a root barrier of some sort. Seagrave is selling them for 40% off at the moment

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@octavenoize Awesome, yes, they are a great looking bamboo! Such deep colours and the zig zagging canes are great. Make sure you get some barrier down or have a plan to contain it though!

[@garethjones4427]

Hi mate, I've acquired a 4ft chamaerops humilis, it's in a pot currently however completely outgrown. The pot it's in is D50cm, H50cm i need to re pot for now as I can't plant it however struggling to find a large enough pot have you any recommendations?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Gareth, does it need to be an attractive looking pot or does it not matter? If so I’d look at 130lt pot, the heavy duty black ones with handles, maybe something like that!

[@garethjones4427]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden no mate I'm not fus sed how the pot looks as I can always paint it, I have looked at the 130l pots which are more than wide enough however they aren't deep enough 🤣

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@garethjones4427 I wouldn’t worry too much about the extra depth, just having the fresh compost around the rootball will really help it for a while at least!

[@garethjones4427]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden brilliant I shall take your advice cheers George 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@garethjones4427 No worries!

[@steverichardson4374]

Can Parms come back from spear pull

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Yes, it’s worth waiting for a good few months, it depends on the circumstances and palm but there’s a good chance they will recover.

[@steverichardson4374]

Thank for your advice I was going two put them in the bin 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@steverichardson4374 I don’t want to give you false hope without seeing them but it can certainly be recoverable given time and some better weather. Good luck 👍

[@raphlvlogs271]

"hardening them off" is also what we should do to human children.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Round here we do!

[@raphlvlogs271]

do you harvest and use the bamboo that you grow?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I do actually reuse the canes I cut, yes but I don’t produce enough that is class it as a harvest yet! When they need thinning out in years to come though, it’ll all be reused where I can.