7 Ways to Create a Tropical Garden
Go gorgeously green in your outdoor space by creating a tropical oasis with lush foliage
A tropical garden design – yes, it can work in cooler climates – can look spectacular. If you fancy an exotic retreat in your garden, try bringing palms, ferns and other leafy delights into your outside area, and add extra interest with wooden surfaces, secluded zones and a water feature or two.
Include other details
The plants are clearly the heroes in this garden of ferns and foliage, but the hard landscaping also plays a part. The pool of water, crossed by a trio of stepping stones, gives the whole space an exotic, serene feel.
The decked seating area on the other side of the water is surrounded by a dark wood fence and screened from the rest of the garden by those luminescent ferns.
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The plants are clearly the heroes in this garden of ferns and foliage, but the hard landscaping also plays a part. The pool of water, crossed by a trio of stepping stones, gives the whole space an exotic, serene feel.
The decked seating area on the other side of the water is surrounded by a dark wood fence and screened from the rest of the garden by those luminescent ferns.
Discover garden furniture in the Houzz Shop
Mix and match
Keen to create an exotic feel without committing to one, all-over tropical garden design? Dot a few tropical species among your native plants to subtly introduce an exotic vibe.
In this contemporary garden, pretty florals such as agapanthus fill the space with colour, while a palm tree makes a statement in the corner of the lawn.
Plants such as palm trees and ferns have such striking foliage that it’s easy to make a statement with just one or two additions.
Need some expert help with your plans? Find garden designers and landscape architects in your area
Keen to create an exotic feel without committing to one, all-over tropical garden design? Dot a few tropical species among your native plants to subtly introduce an exotic vibe.
In this contemporary garden, pretty florals such as agapanthus fill the space with colour, while a palm tree makes a statement in the corner of the lawn.
Plants such as palm trees and ferns have such striking foliage that it’s easy to make a statement with just one or two additions.
Need some expert help with your plans? Find garden designers and landscape architects in your area
Be creative with decking
Wooden decking looks beautiful next to luscious green planting and it also helps to create a calm oasis. Here, a terrace of pale wood is broken up with rectangular pools of water, which add to the tranquil feel.
When you’re planning an expanse like this, try to choose plants that tumble over the edges to soften the look of hard landscaping.
Wooden decking looks beautiful next to luscious green planting and it also helps to create a calm oasis. Here, a terrace of pale wood is broken up with rectangular pools of water, which add to the tranquil feel.
When you’re planning an expanse like this, try to choose plants that tumble over the edges to soften the look of hard landscaping.
Fill up a courtyard
This cosy outdoor space is full to bursting with gorgeous greenery. Create interest by adding a variety of different plant styles, including some with delicate foliage and others with generous leaves.
The designers of this home have cleverly brought the outside in by positioning a couple of houseplants near the patio doors. By having greenery in both areas, the two zones merge into one beautiful, verdant space.
This cosy outdoor space is full to bursting with gorgeous greenery. Create interest by adding a variety of different plant styles, including some with delicate foliage and others with generous leaves.
The designers of this home have cleverly brought the outside in by positioning a couple of houseplants near the patio doors. By having greenery in both areas, the two zones merge into one beautiful, verdant space.
Keep it simple
Prefer a more minimal look? It’s possible to give your space a tropical feel by adding just a couple of statement container plants.
These palm trees are exotic enough to transform the look of this roof terrace, and to make the owner feel as if they’ve been transported from their urban neighbourhood to an exotic retreat.
Planning a seating area like this? Find a carpenter or joiner in your area
Prefer a more minimal look? It’s possible to give your space a tropical feel by adding just a couple of statement container plants.
These palm trees are exotic enough to transform the look of this roof terrace, and to make the owner feel as if they’ve been transported from their urban neighbourhood to an exotic retreat.
Planning a seating area like this? Find a carpenter or joiner in your area
Carve out a secret garden
One of the best things about tropical plants is the size of the foliage. Large leaves help to create screens and divide spaces, so it makes sense to harness this in your garden.
Here, the designer has made the most of the planting to create secluded zones, reached by a foliage-framed pathway. Taller specimens, such as the fern tree, provide shade and add an enchanting, dappled light to the area.
Tell us…
Are you a fan of tropical planting in the garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
One of the best things about tropical plants is the size of the foliage. Large leaves help to create screens and divide spaces, so it makes sense to harness this in your garden.
Here, the designer has made the most of the planting to create secluded zones, reached by a foliage-framed pathway. Taller specimens, such as the fern tree, provide shade and add an enchanting, dappled light to the area.
Tell us…
Are you a fan of tropical planting in the garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Don’t let a compact outdoor area cramp your style. Go large with your planting to create a small tropical garden with species such as the banana palm, seen on the right of this courtyard. The giant leaves are a generous feature that add depth and interest to the small space.
Tropical-style planting works particularly well in a seating area like this, as the dense greenery gives the area a cosy feel.