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It is a truly dramatic plant that produces a rapier-like effect as its leaves carve through the air. Phormiums with more colourful foliage tend to be the least hardy, so in temperate regions only plant them in a sheltered urban garden or in the warmer areas of the south. Phormium tenax can, however, be grown quite successfully outdoors.
Fern Favourites
For pure architectural form there is nothing quite like ferns. With their finely formed, almost lacey, feathery leaves they provide texture as well as form. They are an amazing family of plants, ranging from the diminutive species that cling to rock-faces to large ones such as the woolly tree fern, Dickinsonia antarctica, from Australia. In order to thrive it must be grown in a moist situation in dappled shade.
Like the ferns, the palms are absolutely essential in a garden for their exotic looks and strong architectural shapes. The most well known and robust members of this family must be Trachycarpus fortunei, which has a strong vertical stem and large, leathery, fan-like leaves. The smaller dwarf fan palm, Chamaerops humilis, is equally desirable. Initially, it looks similar to trachycarpus, although it is shorter, but with time it becomes multi-truncated and forms more of a domed shape. Palmes prefer to be protected from prevailing winds, especially in the winter months.
Bananas are the ultimate in exotica. They are fast growing, towering, vast herbs that are easy to cultivate. Among the hardiest, Musa basjoo is excellent for the lush garden, althoughthe leaves will be torn in high winds, so it is best planted in an area of the garden that is protected.
There is also a far more diminutive banana called Musa lasiocarpa, which grows to about 1.2m (4ft) tall or more and has very thick, grey to blue-green leaves. Given good conditions, it will produce myriad flowers in gorgeous shades of ochre. This attractive species is reputed to be even hardier than Musa basjoo. |
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A relative of the banana, Ensete ventricosum, although not hardy, is one to grow for sheer audacity. This species can be effectively underplanted with alocasias, which, althought they are relatively large plants themselves, are almost dwarfed by its size.
Take nature's lead
The main thing when choosing plants is to be aware of the conditions that prevail not just in your local area. For example, if you live in a very windswept region, it is probably best not to attempt a tree fern, but instead choose shrubs that will tolerate high winds. Similarly, if you live in a coastal area you will find that this type of microclimate is actually more suited to exotic plants because there
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tends to be little frost, especially along the coastline. Look around your town area to see which plants prefer drier, more windswept conditions. Alternatively, if you have time and room in your garden, a shelter-belt of trees makes a massive difference as it creates its own microclimate.
Above all, remember that the key to successful exotic gardening is to keep on experimenting with your planting. If your fantasy is to grow a garden o palm trees and nothing else, don't be intimidated, go right ahead and indulge yourself. |
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