You might be forgiven for imagining that tropical plants like palm trees belong on tropical islands in the middle of a turquoise blue sea. But I am here to deliver the wonderful news that you can have a piece of that tropical paradise right here on the British Isles without the need for the beating sunshine or the gently lapping waters and white sands. Although that would, of course, be nice!

Several of the larger palms like Butia Capitata, and Trachycarpus Fortunei, are terrifically hardy, often tolerating temperatures as low as -10C and below. In many Mediterranean and tropical areas temperatures can reach extremely low temperatures at night and in the winter, as well as the particularly high temperatures that we associate with these places during the daytime in summer.

Here is a rundown of some brilliant plants for a British tropical garden, and some tips on how to care for them:

Butia Capitata – Also known as the Jelly Palm or Pindo Palm, this tree is one of the hardiest feather palms, tolerating temperatures down to -10 degrees or below. Its stout single trunk with prominent leaf scars, and curving, silvery blue pinnate leaves give it the appearance of a sort of rough-hewn pineapple. The best news about these fabulous palms for a British gardener is that they not only tolerate cooler temperatures, but they are also not averse to wet conditions. Having said that, no palm tree enjoys sitting in water, so a well-drained spot is best. Butias will thrive in a sheltered position, with as much sunshine as you can offer it, so anything but a north-facing aspect will work well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phoenix Canariensis – Also known as the Canary Island Date Palm, this evergreen tree is a brilliant addition to any tropical-style garden. With a robust trunk that can eventually reach as tall as 18m, it has feather-shaped, arching leaves divided into narrowly lance-shaped leathery leaves that boast a lovely bright shade of green. It bears large pendant clusters of tiny yellowish-brown flowers in the summer that on mature specimens are followed by short oblong yellowy orange fruits in autumn and winter that look much like regular dates, but are a lot smaller in size. This tree is slightly less robust and benefits from a sheltered spot in full sun. Although it can be hardy down to -8C it is less robust than some palms and can benefit from being wrapped up or brought indoors during very cold winters. Dry cold is one thing, but a wet cold is not the Phoenix Palm’s favourite thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cycas Revoluta – Also known as the Japanese Sago Palm, is a very slow growing tree that sports a very low trunk and a sprout of feathery, dark green leaves at its crown. These trees can grow up to 6m tall eventually, but it can take around 100 years to reach this height, so don’t hold your breath! Sago palms are best placed in a sheltered position, out of the wind and strong sunlight, and protected from frost. Whilst they can tolerate a dry cold down to -7C it might be safer to wrap it up in horticultural fleece or bring it inside during a very cold winter as our British winters tend to be more on the damp side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trachycarpus Fortunei – This is an ideal palm tree for our corner of the world, owing to the fact that it prefers a slightly cooler environment and actually dislikes extreme heat. A tall palm with a hairy, fibre covered trunk, it is also known as the Chinese Windmill Palm owing perhaps to the large, fan-shaped, dark green leaves that sprout from its tip. These trees are hardy down to as low as -15C, but again favour a sheltered position out of the channel of strong or cold winds. If the leaves do get a bit battered they can be removed by cutting them off close to the trunk, as and when required. Trachycarpus don’t mind a bit of rain, but they are not happy if their feet stay wet for too long, so a well drained soil is ideal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banana Plants – No tropical garden would be complete without a fabulous flapping banana plant! With its huge paddle-shaped leaves these exotic looking plants add drama and variety of texture that compliment the palm trees that often occupy a tropical style garden. Bananas can tolerate our summers quite happily, as long as they are placed in a sheltered spot and kept well watered. Banana leaves are quite brittle, especially when young, so the wind can snap them off if they are exposed to too much wind. Although it is possible for a well sheltered banana plant to survive a British winter, it is advisable to either bring it indoors or wrap it in horticultural fleece during the winter months. It is advised to cut the leaves off the plant before wrapping it up for the winter, and if space is tight inside you can cut the leaves off before bringing it indoors as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fatsia Japonica – A fabulously lush looking plant with glossy palmate leaves, the Fatsia prefers a shady position out of direct sunlight or wind, making it perfect as a lower growing companion to the palm trees in your tropical garden design. They are wonderfully hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to as low as -15C. Frosts will damage the leaves, but if the roots are protected then the plant will recover. Just remove the damaged leaves when the risk of frost is over and the new foliage will emerge to take its place in the spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cordyline Australis – Also known, rather amusingly I think, as the New Zealand Cabbage Palm, this is a plant that bears not even a slight resemblance to a cabbage. Single, knife shaped leaves spring from the top of a narrow trunk, and where the fragrant cream coloured flowers form can eventually become a multi headed tree if the flowers are not removed once they have finished blooming. It is tolerant of temperatures down to -10, but as with others of this type is not great when it comes to frost. The leaves can be wrapped in winter, although it can be quite a performance owing to the spiky nature of the leaves. This is another plant that is happy with a spot of rain, but doesn’t appreciate sitting in waterlogged soil, so well drained soil is best. This tree can be kept tidy by cutting the leaves off at their base when they start to look shabby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just a few of the gloriously exotic plants that you can grow in your tropical style gardens in the UK. I haven’t mentioned elegant bamboo which can work as a wonderful living fence, or lower growing plants like hosta and pachysandra that will cover the ground and fill in shady corners, or magnificent tree ferns that will slowly unfurl in the spring and fill out to create a rainforest feeling in you back garden. Some exotic looking plants need a little more care and attention than others, but it is certainly not out of reach to the British gardener to have a really tropical feeling space as far north as you care to go.

If you are interested to know more, do come and visit our nursery in Windermere.