If travel restrictions keep you from going abroad this year, why not bring a taste of your favorite holiday destinations to your own backyard? By adding sub-tropical plants to your garden, you can create a vibrant and exotic atmosphere that will lift your spirits and enhance your outdoor space. Many of us have fond memories of special plants from our sunny vacations, like the fragrance of jasmine on a terrace or the sight of agaves and prickly pears lining the roads in Spain.
For me, Greece brings to mind the beautiful sight of purple bougainvillea cascading over a whitewashed villa, while the South of France is all about the stunning yellow mimosa flowers. While Britain already boasts a diverse range of plant varieties, there’s always room for a touch of the exotic. So why not indulge in a bit of envy and dream about training a bougainvillea or mimosa on your very own English wall?
The stunning beauty of the Mediterranean can be brought to your outdoor space with the vibrant colors of oleanders, which bloom in shades of pink and white. While bougainvilleas may not thrive in colder climates, there are a variety of subtropical plants that can easily flower during the summer and withstand winter conditions.
Due to climate change, the range of plants that can be grown in British gardens is expanding. With milder winters and warmer summers, Mediterranean shrubs like oleanders are becoming more popular choices for outdoor landscaping. These evergreen shrubs with narrow leaves provide a lovely backdrop for their blossoms, which come in white, pink, or red hues.
Oleanders are low-maintenance plants that do well in rocky terrains and can withstand droughts. Regular watering and good soil can result in an abundance of flowers. Additionally, oleanders can be grown in containers, but it’s important to note that all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.
Lantanas and Australian hibiscus are also great options for adding color to your garden during the summer, but they may need protection during the winter months if temperatures drop below freezing. Abutilons, with their pale mauve blossoms, are another stunning choice for a sub-tropical garden. These trees can tolerate temperatures down to -5 degrees Celsius.
To ensure these plants survive the winter, consider mulching the roots of mature shrubs in the fall and protecting wall-trained plants with fleece or hessian during cold spells. Taking cuttings from vulnerable plants before mid-September and rooting them indoors can also help ensure their survival during the winter months. By potting up these cuttings and keeping them in a greenhouse or conservatory until the following spring, you can enjoy these beautiful plants year after year.