tropical garden designs for small gardens

The layers in a tropical garden are like the layers in a food-producing forest garden.Īnd in fact, it is worthwhile remembering that a tropical feel garden could easily also be a ‘food forest’.Ī food forest or forest garden is a way of growing food that allows you to work in harmony with the natural world. In the UK, the sun is not as intense as in the tropics, of course.īut careful management of the canopy and pruning away lower branches strategically can help you create a range of different eco-zones in layered planting, with some areas of deeper shade and some sunny spots in between. In a tropical jungle, layers of dense planting spread from the canopy to the ground cover layer.ĭense, lush, diverse planting can definitely help you to get the look you are going for. In this article, we will share some general design tips for a tropical garden in the UK climate.

Trebah Botanical Gardens, CornwallĬhoosing the right plants, and combining those plants in the right ways, is key to successfully achieving this effect in your garden. Some are genuine tropical plants, from tropical climates, while others grow in cooler climates similar to our own, but look exotic enough to contribute to that tropical jungle look. You might imagine that in our far chillier climate, a tropical garden would be an impossibility for British gardeners.īut there are a surprising number of plants for a tropical effect that can survive perfectly well (sometimes with winter protection) in many UK gardens. Tropical gardens are lush, green and exotic – and it is possible to create a tropical jungle effect, even right here in the UK. 10) …Or Some Other Essential Garden Destination.8) Create Winding Pathways Between Dense Planting.

5) Favour Plants With Bold, Architectural Foliage.

Tropical garden designs for small gardens