Starting a tropical looking garden

I would be looking to raise the area. Two or three irregular mounds maybe? You can use the time to source plenty of builders rubble and topsoil to raise the main planting area. Lower down the mounds Ligularia, certain Iris species, Lobelia cardinalis, Rodgersia etc and higher up the stuff that prefers free draining conditions.
A lot of work but far better than the dispiriting loss of plants and ideas.

 

Ok, after a bit of rethinking I may have a different area I can put a tropical Patch, the thing is its north facing so im looking for advice to see if it would be feasible. its on a North facing slope, there are some large trees on the east and a 6 foot panel fence on the south order. there is currently a six foot fence to the west but I can get rid of this which should let some light in from the west. what do ye think??

 

Think I'd be inclined to go for the types of plants that like wet, but mild conditions.
I'd be looking at trees, plants and shrubs from N.Z, Chile etc. plus plants from elevated conditions.

Dont think you can get away with plants that like hot summers.
They might survive, but be disappointing.

 

Well, Ive decided to leave my tropical garden for this year, hopefully I can get the drainage sorted for an early start next year. for now ive decided to keep everything in pots on the patio, in a sort of tropical corner. not quiet what I had in mind when I started this thread but it will do for now. and I think it looks quiet good to

 

Just said I would update this thread seeing as it was my first. I have got a nice little area drained and fenced off for shelter and started a small tropical style border. Believe it or not I'm only just in from the garden now so I couldn't take pics. I took a few before last light.


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I'll take some closer pics tomorrow


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It looks nice and sheltered. How about Eucomis pole-evansii. I am trying that for the first time. It can grow up to six feet. Its perfectly hardy, but doesn't like the wet in winter. We had a talk, recently, by the national plant collection holder and he said the secret was to plant the bulb on a bed of Perlite and also to put Perlite on top. The bulb itself doesn't want to be too wet, but the roots are very happy to be wet.

This Perlite trick could well work with other things.

 

Coming on well mate

 

Update. Really beginning to take shape. Not as tropical as I had envisaged but give it time



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Out of curiosity what colour would ye suggest to paint the fence ?


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