Ideas how to make. Tropical Caribbean Style Garden

Separate areas for a more natural garden, I think. Start in one far corner and build from there. Sketch your ideas on squared paper. Which way is south?

Bamboos, which a few people have mentioned, keep their leaves in winter and might be good for corners.

I wouldn’t mirror each side, just try to have a random selection in each corner.

Main thing is to get started. You could get some plants now and as long as you give them plenty of water, they should be OK. Don’t think about it too long or you’ll miss another growing season!

Can you manage to visit this?
ngs.org.uk/view-garden/36463/

My sister in law living in Vancouver had a beautiful garden with a tropical feel. She had some quite large windmill palms, big canna lillies, even the hostas with large leaves gave a tropical vibe.

Get some gardening books, draw out some drawings to scale as best you can, keeping in mind where the sun shines. You may even add a glass conservatory if you have the budget. Ask your local garden club (if you have one) to recommend contractors.
Sounds like a nice plan to bring the tropics to you if you are limiting your travel... good luck and have fun planning.

I have got a sort of tropical type jungle garden, it takes quite a while to grow anything to a reasonable height, I have three mahonia shrubs which over ten years are now over ten feet tall, look very tropical, beautiful yellow flowers followed by purple berries in clusters, but very prickly foliage, evergreen. I have fatsias, palms, a tree fern, grow tree lilies in pots, smaller canna lilies also in pots to fill in spaces, my pride and joy are two daturas also in pots, also known as angel trumpets, the scent of them in the evening is heady, I often buy plants that aren’t necessarily tropical but just a bit edgy unusual, good luck with your garden, I love mine

Just remembered I’ve also bamboos, one black one particularly striking.

Are you overlooked behind those trees, NannyKisses? If not I wouldn't try and conceal them as bare branches can give a dramatic backdrop. Painting your fence in a colour that sets off foliage plants (I can recommend Cuprinol Urban Slate) can be done while you work on your planting plan.

If you are on a restricted budget I would grow anything of value in a pot to begin with. That way you can move it around the garden until you are happy with its location. The following season it should have grown on enough to make more of an impact.

You may also need a greenhouse or protected area to over winter any tender plants.

Putting quite a few things into large pots is a good idea
merlot groupings of exotic plants look great.

They grow crotons in Jamaica and hibiscus if that's any help.

I love this idea! You’ll find some great inspiration on Pinterest.

There is a Hardy Tropical UK forum for people who grow exotic plants here: www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

From what I have read there, (have frequently browsed it) many of the tropical plants they grow have to be brought under cover in the winter, quite a job if you aren't vary able. Some that are left in situ need to be wrapped as protection from frosts, so quite high maintenance.

You can achieve a tropical look with annual bedding plants such as coleus, but cannas do need lifting in autumn.