Hello and Help!

Brank new member here. Am helping a friend shake up her tired garden, a big square on the harbour edge in Poole. Would really appreciate any tips with planting a sort of tropical theme (ish) on the water's edge...
Sidonie x

 

Hi, Sidonie, before anyone offers some advice it would be helpful if you can give some idea of the soil type (is it sandy as a lot of that area is) which direction it faces, sheltered/windy etc, that info would help to eliminate some plants straight away.

 

hello sidonie and welcome to gc enjoy

 

Also welcome

 

Hello Sidonie! Hope you enjoy the site!

 

Ah yes soil type. It's not too sandy, good drainage need some tlc, but otherwise OK. The garden faces south west (lucky girl) is reasonably sheltered but does still get a bashing in the winter. Any floral ideas would be hugely appreciated. :D

 

Hi Sidonie and welcome to GC

You have a very lucky friend!!!! Being Poole born and bred I know the area very well..... There are not that many properties on the water's edge with big gardens..... I shall give you a wave as I am down there tomorrow.....

back to business.... for tropical ideas, you have to get big leafy and structural plants, palms, bananas, tree fern, olive tree,passion flowers, a brugmansia or two, roses, etc..... check out postings in the gallery - should give you a few ideas. Good luck!!!!

 

Hello Sidonie and welcome, you will find lots of info about tropical plants in the site.

 

Hi, Sidonie for a tropical theme your friend could invest in a couple of canary island date palms(cidps) as they are cheap now and a variegated codyline(torbay palm) or two. Phormiums give an architectural look as would a banana and if you have room, but beware of it's invasive attitude, bamboos can look stunning. The acacia family provide you with a selection of hardy small trees/shrubs which would give a fantastic display of flowers in late winter/spring (Poole has quite a few of these). There are many other plants your friend could use that would give you the tropical effect. Check out the local GC's.

 

Gosh! thanks so much for superb ides for planting! Can't wait to get planning with my pal... :D