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Rajesh
Not too shy to talk
Posts: 22
Joined: 2005/3/11
From: Spain, USDA z9
(2005/4/11 10:50) Tropical looking plants
Hello everybody,

I have time this year to think about giving my garden a tropical aspect. I thus have a very general question : do you have suggestions for tropical looking plants?

constraints :
- Have to survive zone 9 winters (I live in zone 9b, but I'd prefer zone 9a plants, as one never knows...)
- Broad and/or showy leaves
- Flowers and fruits is of course a big plus :yes:

I already thought of Bananas, Strelitzias, Alocasias, Cannas, ... other suggestions?

Many thanks! Rajesh.
Rajesh
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lrey
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Équipe de modération des forums de tous-les-fruits.com
Posts: 23
Joined: 2005/1/28
From:
(2005/4/15 6:43) Re: Tropical looking plants
Hi Rajesh,

Quote:
I already thought of Bananas, Strelitzias, Alocasias, Cannas, ... other suggestions?


May I suggest :
  • Catalpa sp. and Paulownia sp. both very hardy
  • Eriobotrya japonica, the loquat. Hardy to zone 7b.
  • Fatsia japonica
  • Gunnera manicata (huge leaves)
  • Phormium sp. long lanceolate leaves, many colored cultivars.

    Cheers,
    -- Laurent
    Regards,
    Laurent
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    Rajesh
    Not too shy to talk
    Posts: 22
    Joined: 2005/3/11
    From: Spain, USDA z9
    (2005/4/20 13:44) Re: Tropical looking plants
    Hello Lrey,

    Thank you for the suggestions. I also thought of a loquat, which is showy, frost hardy, and that can provide shade to more tender plants.
    Phormium is a very good suggestion too, I did not think of that. I'll see if my local nursery has some to sell.
    As for Gunnera, I'm afraid my zone is a bit too dry for it... We have big droughts every two years! :-(
    Thank you, Rajesh
    Rajesh
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    Rajesh
    Not too shy to talk
    Posts: 22
    Joined: 2005/3/11
    From: Spain, USDA z9
    (2005/6/4 14:10) Re: Tropical looking plants
    Some info : Bought some Musa varieties, 2 loquats, Phormiums, and 2 Cordyline species (one green, one variegated).
    Everything is know in place, regularly watered and fed. Now I just can't wait for shade in my garden 8-)
    Musas seem to grow like crazy.
    Rajesh
    Rajesh
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    nij
    Just popping in
    Posts: 11
    Joined: 2006/1/13
    From:
    (2006/1/15 22:49) Re: Tropical looking plants
    Rajesh. Your last post on this subject was some time ago now, so you may already have enough plants by n ow,but how about....Tetrapanax papyrifer[T.Rex],not for the feint hearted, but Massive leaves; Or Sasa/pseudosasa,bamboo's Regards Nij.[A UK.gardener].
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