tropical looking garden

Hi,

After my first year of gardening (will have to post update pics) I've noticed how well palm trees have done in my garden even though the soil looks atrocious.

I was wondering what smaller plants blend in well with palm trees. I want to make these palm trees the main element of my little garden but I'd like to surround them with tropical looking plants which are hardy.
I was thinking of a few grasses such as golden segde and bergenias.

 

You could try Hostas and Calla Lilies, GL. Both are herbaceous perennials. Would need pritecting from slugs though, Lobelia Cardinalis would add some purple to break up all the green, again a H P needing slug control, but well worth it.:thumb:

 

I think David's suggestions are great, but they do need plenty of moisture. Is your soil moist enough? If not, how about cordylines or yukkas?

 

I would have thought that in Manchester the ground would get PLENTY of moisture. AND they only need the same amount of water as Cordylines and Yuccas.:hehe:

 

Phormiums large or small, many variations and they tolerate most conditions.
Cannas give a tropical look too.

 

Hello,

i think i'll try a red phormium (new zealand flax with some spotted laurel around it.

 

Get hold of Exotic planting for the adventurous gardener, by C. Lloyd, PLENTY of good ideas on the subject.

Oh, happy new year everybody!!!!!!!!

 

Fatsia Japonica, easy, frost hardy, slowish growing, and covers a lot of ground.