If you can’t manage an escape to an exotic island for the weekend then perhaps a garden filled with tropical plants with sizzling colors will be a great place for a retreat. There are two kinds of tropical climates, gardens, one is a dry tropical and the other is a wet, humid tropical. Our water situation means plants with an arid background are best for creating a tropical look. With a little creativity, you can relax in the tropics in your own backyard.

Palms
What tropical retreat would be complete without palms? One of our favorites, the mediterranean Fan Palm has arching, dark green leaves and a cluster of multiple trunks. Windmill Palm has similar leaf stalks with a single slender trunk to a moderate height.

Succulents
Bold leaved agaves and exotic echeverias as well as many other succulents lend texture and unusual colors to your garden.

Bougainvilleas
We have gorgeous bougainvilleas to train up a south or west facing wall that will give you sheets of color all summer long. Choose from a wide variety of tropical colors. Don’t forget to ask for planting directions as they have sensitive root systems and need frost protection.

Tropical Hibiscus
Bring shades of Hawaii to your plantings with glossy leaved tropical hibiscus and lots of vibrant colors. We have these both in bush and patio tree forms, to give instant height to your garden. Plant these in a protected spot in the garden as they require shelter from the frost and wind. Hibiscus love sun and heat. They bloom late spring through the fall. Also ask about hardy hibiscus, which loose their leaves in winter but, do not require frost protection of any kind.

Rose of Sharon
A deciduous, frost hardy member of the Hibiscus family is the Rose of Sharon. It produces single or double flowers in the summer and makes an excellent single stemmed tree as well as a large shrub.

Cordylines
Add tropical texture with the addition of Cordylines and Phormiums. Both have sword-like leaves but attain different heights. Cordyline ‘Baueri’ has rich burgundy red leaves that are crowned with fragrant white flowers in early summer. ‘Red Sensation’ has long bronze colored narrow leaves. It is an exceptional plant to use for height and texture in container plantings. Cordylines are also available in with green foliage.

Phormiums
Phormiums or New Zealand Flax are big dramatic plants with sword-like leaves. They produce red or yellow flower clusters on stems that reach high above the leaves. Available in foliage colors ranging from purple-red, bronze, purple and variegated with green leaves with a creamy white stripe. Give them plenty of room in your planting bed – leaves can reach 9 feet in height and the clump can spread to 5 feet. Smaller varieties are available

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