YEARS ago, I landed the job as presenter of the Channel 4 series Gardens of the Caribbean and spent six weeks filming on six different islands, surrounded by tropical foliage and flowers. Soon after, we moved to Devon, and inspired by Caribbean style, we repainted a wooden outbuilding from an agricultural green to blue and cream.
Hardy plants are best
The slightly raised border running alongside was widened by moving a path and planted with a lush, jungle-like profusion of mainly hardy plants. It is still one of my favourite parts of the garden.
Now is a great time for planning, with time to clear a space, condition soil and plant in spring, giving slightly tender plants the chance to put down roots before their first winter. If one of your borders has hit the doldrums, a tropical theme could be the perfect fix. The word ‘jungle’ is an unscientific term used for an area of dense, luxuriant foliage, and seeking out plants with the right look is all part of the fun.
Unless you have a greenhouse and the willingness to lift, pot, and move tender plants under cover for winter, stick mainly to those hardy enough to stay outdoors. Be inspired by pictures of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in Dorset, Henstead Exotic Garden in Suffolk and The Exotic Garden at RHS Wisley.
Create a layer system
Whether jungle-like plants are growing in containers or a border, think in terms of forest-style layers, with a canopy, understorey and ground cover. Certain hardy, large-leaved trees make great centrepieces but need to be ‘stooled’ by cutting stems close to the ground every spring. Thin the new stems out and marvel at their super-sized leaves. The foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignonioides) are great candidates and all deciduous.
Esta historia es de la edición February 06, 2021 de Amateur Gardening.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 06, 2021 de Amateur Gardening.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters