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hoghaven_duluthmn

Tropical Jungle

hoghaven_duluthmn
15 years ago

Since I have given up on my desert oasis garden, I was thinking I would try a tropical jungle in my courtyard garden. I can use a lot of containers in the area and it is warm and protected with a mix of shade and sun. Only thing is its a rather small area.

What plants do you think would conjure up a vision of the tropics? I was thinking of some New Guinea Impatiens and begonias. I think the New Guineas are pretty expensive, so I wouldn't want to use too many of those. There are some newer variety of cannas that have a striped foliage. I wonder what would combine well with that? Could I put a small houseplant palm outside without killing it? Any ideas for accessories?

I think January/February fever is starting to get to me!

Comments (7)

  • mnwsgal
    15 years ago

    How about elephant ears? The original tuber can be expensive but can be brought inside for the winter and replanted in the spring the next year.
    Ferns? Giant philodendren? Orchids--some big box stores carry some inexpensive orchids and they have a long bloom period.

    I would think a palm could do well outside for the summer. Be sure to be careful to expose it to the sun in increments to prevent burning the leaves. I take all my houseplants outside for the summer.

  • crocosmia_mn
    15 years ago

    A banana like 'Siam Ruby', burgundy leaves with chartreuse splashes. But any banana will do.

    Any castor bean "tree" which can get to be 9 feet or more in one season. I like 'Zanzibar' and 'Carmencita Red'.

    Any Brugmansia with its big, perfumed trumpet flowers.

    A tropical-looking vine like Mina lobata, passion flower, or Thunbergia. Some Clematis look tropical, too.

    Some daylilies look very tropical, for instance 'Mauna Loa'.

    Papyrus is my favorite!

    So, it's perfectly possible to have the tropics in Minnesota: these plants love our summers and many can be brought inside for the winter.

  • Julie
    15 years ago

    Brugmansia- Datura- Malibar Spinach- Lilies in pots, or in the ground, Torenia, Thumbergia, Impatiens balfouriii, Hibiscus Moeschuto, hardy Hibiscus, Mina Lobata, Mirabilis, New Zealand Purple ricinus, are a few from my yard I usually do not go without-

  • hoghaven_duluthmn
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Many of your suggestions I am familiar with, but will have to look up quite a few, too. Sounds like fun. I am thinking I will have to figure out a way to build some sort of wall or trellis where I can hang many of these plants to give it that thick and wild feeling. I wonder if I can get DH to build me a little tiki bar? Now, if I could convince the crows and seagulls to dress up like parrots and cockatoos. . .

    Thanks!

  • leftwood
    15 years ago

    If you go for New Guinea Impatiens, try to go for the taller growing varieties. They will probably be the older releases. They are much more vigorous, usually have better leaf variegation, and will give a better tropical effect. And fertilize and water the bejeebers out of 'em.

  • zenpotter
    15 years ago

    If you decide on Orchids make sure they are shaded, they do not like to be in direct sun.

    I lived in the tropics and grew my orchids in pots hanging from a mango tree.

    I do have a thriving cactus garden in Minneapolis that all stays outside year round if you want to try for the desert look.

  • garystpaul
    15 years ago

    Canna lilies might be another choice, the flowers are showy and the foliage comes in various colors, including stripes. GaryStPaul

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