12 Superstars of the Subtropical Garden
Hardy plants that'll thrive in your subtropical garden with very little attention
Johanna MacMinn
12 May 2015
Gardening in the subtropics conjures up visions of lush foliage, layers of green and pops of brilliant colour. However, an abundance of sunshine and rain can put gardens into overdrive, which means one thing: the need for maintenance. If there is one reoccurring request I have received from clients over the years, it is to provide them with a low-maintenance garden. I nod my head in agreement and understanding. While I am busy making other people’s gardens gorgeous, I am guilty of letting my own go. Plants can be tricky and I have lost a few. It is not deliberate, I love plants, I really do, but time is a luxury that I am not yet afforded. Like the doctor’s kids and the mechanic’s car, my garden suffers from lack of attention at times. I know, however, that I am not the only occasional gardener out there. If garden duties keep sliding down your list of priorities, don’t despair – you can have a neat and sweet garden by planting out some of these tough guys that don’t merely survive but seem to thrive with very little attention.
1. The tree
Delonix regia, commonly known as a poinciana, is often described as the most beautiful tree in the world. While that is a big call, it definitely tops this list of superstars in subtropical gardens. Why? The brilliant red flowers are showstoppers – they put on a magical display in Brisbane in November and December, just after the explosion of purple provided by jacaranda trees. Poincianas quickly grow to a medium-sized tree with their canopy spreading outward, which creates welcome shade underneath.
Delonix regia, commonly known as a poinciana, is often described as the most beautiful tree in the world. While that is a big call, it definitely tops this list of superstars in subtropical gardens. Why? The brilliant red flowers are showstoppers – they put on a magical display in Brisbane in November and December, just after the explosion of purple provided by jacaranda trees. Poincianas quickly grow to a medium-sized tree with their canopy spreading outward, which creates welcome shade underneath.
2. The shrub
With their green shiny leaves and sweet, scented flower clusters, evergreen Singapore frangipani (Plumeria obtusa) are a popular choice among frangipani lovers. They make stunning feature planting and can even be clipped to form a hedge.
With their green shiny leaves and sweet, scented flower clusters, evergreen Singapore frangipani (Plumeria obtusa) are a popular choice among frangipani lovers. They make stunning feature planting and can even be clipped to form a hedge.
Evergreen Singapore frangipani rarely remain evergreen in the subtropics, but instead tend to be semi deciduous or completely deciduous during winter. Their naked winter appearance can be a strikingly beautiful juxtaposition where most plants remain green all year round.
3. The palm
Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as the Alexandra palm, is an elegant palm with feathery fronds that give a classic subtropical feel to the garden. It is self-cleaning, which unfortunately doesn’t mean it puts its own fronds in your green bin, but instead drops spent fronds so you don’t have to climb a ladder to trim it.
Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as the Alexandra palm, is an elegant palm with feathery fronds that give a classic subtropical feel to the garden. It is self-cleaning, which unfortunately doesn’t mean it puts its own fronds in your green bin, but instead drops spent fronds so you don’t have to climb a ladder to trim it.
4. The bamboo
Slender weavers bamboo (Bambusa textilis var. Gracilis) is a clumping, compact bamboo that is very popular in urban gardens. It can create a dense privacy screen without encroaching into the garden, growing up to 6 metres high, which will block out a two-storey building – ideal if your neighbours have views into your garden.
Slender weavers bamboo (Bambusa textilis var. Gracilis) is a clumping, compact bamboo that is very popular in urban gardens. It can create a dense privacy screen without encroaching into the garden, growing up to 6 metres high, which will block out a two-storey building – ideal if your neighbours have views into your garden.
5. The tall hedge
Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum), pictured to the right of the pear trees here, only need a little love for them to grow into 2-metre-tall hedges in just two years! Its large, glossy leaves and sweet-smelling spring flowers make it a great tall hedge option. Like Murraya paniculata, it will grow to be a small tree, so make sure you treat it to a biannual haircut to keep it in check.
Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum), pictured to the right of the pear trees here, only need a little love for them to grow into 2-metre-tall hedges in just two years! Its large, glossy leaves and sweet-smelling spring flowers make it a great tall hedge option. Like Murraya paniculata, it will grow to be a small tree, so make sure you treat it to a biannual haircut to keep it in check.
6. The low hedge
Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ give the understory a lush tropical feel. Xanadus thrives in the semi shade but will tolerate most subtropical conditions, too. They look amazing spilling over a retaining wall or as planting under a hedge or tree. Xanadus are a versatile plant that I often use, even in vertical gardens.
Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ give the understory a lush tropical feel. Xanadus thrives in the semi shade but will tolerate most subtropical conditions, too. They look amazing spilling over a retaining wall or as planting under a hedge or tree. Xanadus are a versatile plant that I often use, even in vertical gardens.
7. The perennial for flowers
With just a little care, birds of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) can look striking in the garden. It will withstand drought and neglect and still send out vibrant blooms of orange and purple. They are the quintessential tough guys of the subtropical garden – strong, self-contained and mysteriously alluring.
With just a little care, birds of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) can look striking in the garden. It will withstand drought and neglect and still send out vibrant blooms of orange and purple. They are the quintessential tough guys of the subtropical garden – strong, self-contained and mysteriously alluring.
8. The perennial for foliage
Variegated plants don’t usually rate high for me, but shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is an exception. The way the light plays upon this plant can be magical. Similar to the way highlights and lowlights can bring a hair colour alive, a swathe of shell ginger can bring a garden to life.
10 ways to beautify your garden with foliage
Variegated plants don’t usually rate high for me, but shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is an exception. The way the light plays upon this plant can be magical. Similar to the way highlights and lowlights can bring a hair colour alive, a swathe of shell ginger can bring a garden to life.
10 ways to beautify your garden with foliage
9. The strappy underplant
Brazilian walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) thrives in full sun to partial shade. It requires virtually no care and always looks great. It is very easy to have in the garden and makes the perfect filler or under planting.
Brazilian walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) thrives in full sun to partial shade. It requires virtually no care and always looks great. It is very easy to have in the garden and makes the perfect filler or under planting.
10. The colourful climber Bougainvillea sp. is the most flamboyant of plants. The smash of colour screams subtropical garden. Its thorns allow it to clamber over fences, walls and pergolas, but it can also be trained as a shrub or ground cover. The dwarf ‘bambino’ variety are perfect for pots and smaller gardens.
11. The fragrant climber
Trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly known as star jasmine, is a beautiful climber worth growing for its few short weeks of profuse flowering – the seductive scent is intoxicating!
10 scented plants for your garden
Trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly known as star jasmine, is a beautiful climber worth growing for its few short weeks of profuse flowering – the seductive scent is intoxicating!
10 scented plants for your garden
12. The succulent
The century plant (Agaves attenuata, which is more commonly known by its genus, Agave, seem to be everywhere … and for good reason. These all rounders are resilient; they weather the storms, buffer the droughts and make babies like there’s no tomorrow. Agaves are also good-looking plants – their fleshy rosettes make a bold architectural statement. Fashions come and go, but Agaves hold their own as garden favourites.
More: Design Ideas for Sculptural Succulents
The century plant (Agaves attenuata, which is more commonly known by its genus, Agave, seem to be everywhere … and for good reason. These all rounders are resilient; they weather the storms, buffer the droughts and make babies like there’s no tomorrow. Agaves are also good-looking plants – their fleshy rosettes make a bold architectural statement. Fashions come and go, but Agaves hold their own as garden favourites.
More: Design Ideas for Sculptural Succulents
The above list of garden superstars is far from complete, but it is a great place to start. Not fair-weather friends, these plants are tough and reliable and can put up with occasional gardeners like me.
TELL US
How do you keep your subtropical garden in check? Tell us your tips and tricks in the Comments.
MORE
How to Bring Your Subtropical Garden to Life
My Houzz: Subtropical Style for a Modern Sydney Home
Top 10 Plants for Minimum Effort and Maximum Impact
TELL US
How do you keep your subtropical garden in check? Tell us your tips and tricks in the Comments.
MORE
How to Bring Your Subtropical Garden to Life
My Houzz: Subtropical Style for a Modern Sydney Home
Top 10 Plants for Minimum Effort and Maximum Impact
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does the Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ come in a smaller variety?
Hi FERR ~ I am not aware of a dwarf variety of philodendron xanadu. Here is a useful link that lists a few types of philodendrons. https://philodendronplant.com/category/philodendron-varieties/ . There are also the philodendron congos which are quite attractive. Kindest regards, Jo
I thought Xanadu WAS the dwarf Philodendron. Not that "dwarf" anything is entirely reliable. My dwarf Brunfelsia is now taller than the standard a few metres away. Can't fight nature!