9 hours Ago By Nicola Roy
The UK is far from a tropical paradise, except maybe when it comes to rain levels. However, if you love that aesthetic and want to replicate the lush greenery in your own garden , then it's very easy - all you need are the right plants . Certain varieties can help you to create your very own tropical haven right here in the UK.
Plant expert Michael, also known as The Mediterranean Gardener on TikTok , has named five of the best that you can pick up from your local garden centre. Easy to look after and beautiful too, they're the perfect way to turn your outdoor space into a jungle paradise. This is the 'hardiest' of all the banana plants, meaning it's got the best chance of growing and surviving in the UK.
This stunning plant, with its distinctive huge green leaves, can either be grown in a pot or the ground depending on what you prefer. If it's given rich soil and plenty of plant feed, it can grow to the size of a small tree, or around four metres in height. It also produces some pretty cream flowers in the summer time.
These gorgeous plants are actually native to the Canary Islands, but you can buy them right here in the UK. Boasting spiky green leaves and a stout trunk, this plant will also produce creamy yellow flowers if it's warm in summer. You can start this off by growing it inside before moving it outdoors when the weather gets warmer.
If you do this, make sure you put it in a sunny sheltered spot, with some midday shade. This evergreen fern is a fantastic addition to any garden. It can thrive well even in the shade, making it perfect for UK gardens.
Michael said: "Its thick mass of roots form a trunk, from which long fronds appear." This striking plant can grow pretty tall - up to five feet - so they're ideal for adding some height and interest to your garden. They have a 'dramatic' foliage bursting with red, orange, yellow and pink hues, and tend to flower from June to October.
Michael said they are 'perfect' for growing at the back or middle of a mixed or tropical border. And because they are perennials, the flowers will grow back year after year. Despite admitting that these are not technically tropical, Michael still described them as 'amazing blooms'.
They're also known as red hot pokers because of their striking scarlet pointed flowers. They come in a range of 'fiery' colours, have a long flowering season, and look 'fantasic' when a few are planted at once..
