Exotic Plants for Frosty Gardens
Just because you live in a cool-climate area of Australia, it doesn't mean you can't adorn your garden with gorgeous blooms and foliage
There’s something quite intoxicating about the plants of the subtropical jungle with their dazzling blooms, delicious scents and lush leaves. But such plants can only be grown in warm regions, right? Wrong! Contrary to what many gardeners believe there are many plants with dramatic foliage or flowers that are actually quite hardy. If you’ve been hankering after a subtropical garden but worry the weather’s too cold in your area, don’t despair. There are plenty of leafy plants that will add a flamboyant flavour to cold gardens including Cordylines, Fatsia, flaxes, Hosta, Rodgersia, along with some palms and succulents. Combine these with splashes of bright flower colour and in no time your garden will become a flourishing exotic oasis.
Pushing the boundaries
Despite their subtropical appearance, the Fatsia and flaxes pictured above are tolerant of frost. Many other subtropical plants are surprisingly adaptable to the cold and, with changes in our climate, the boundaries for what can be grown in cooler areas are constantly changing. If you create the right microclimate in your garden, providing plenty of sun, shelter and warmth, you’ll be surprised at what can be grown in even the coldest regions.
Despite their subtropical appearance, the Fatsia and flaxes pictured above are tolerant of frost. Many other subtropical plants are surprisingly adaptable to the cold and, with changes in our climate, the boundaries for what can be grown in cooler areas are constantly changing. If you create the right microclimate in your garden, providing plenty of sun, shelter and warmth, you’ll be surprised at what can be grown in even the coldest regions.
Flowers with panache
Some flowering plants are subtropical lookalikes with their flamboyant flowers, yet are able to tolerate low temperatures. The Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) above is one such plant, but take care which cultivar you choose as some can become invasive.
Some flowering plants are subtropical lookalikes with their flamboyant flowers, yet are able to tolerate low temperatures. The Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria) above is one such plant, but take care which cultivar you choose as some can become invasive.
Bold bloomers
The pineapple lily (Eucomis) produces stunning flower spikes and has the bonus of lovely lush leaves. If kept mulched during dormancy it can withstand temperatures down to -5ºC. You could also try amaryllis, astilbe, Crinum lily, Daylily, many iris, lady’s mantle, nerine, rhododendron, Romneya, the deciduous hibiscus Rose of Sharon (H. syriacus), the deliciously scented white-flowering climber star jasmine, many viburnums, wisteria and some arum lily cultivars.
The pineapple lily (Eucomis) produces stunning flower spikes and has the bonus of lovely lush leaves. If kept mulched during dormancy it can withstand temperatures down to -5ºC. You could also try amaryllis, astilbe, Crinum lily, Daylily, many iris, lady’s mantle, nerine, rhododendron, Romneya, the deciduous hibiscus Rose of Sharon (H. syriacus), the deliciously scented white-flowering climber star jasmine, many viburnums, wisteria and some arum lily cultivars.
Cold-tolerant palms
Nothing says tropical more than a palm tree. The windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), pictured above, is one of the toughest palms you can get, able to cope with very cold temperatures. Others are not quite so robust, but if conditions are right (well-drained soil, plants are mature and not young seedlings) the following palms will tolerate quite cold conditions.
Nothing says tropical more than a palm tree. The windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), pictured above, is one of the toughest palms you can get, able to cope with very cold temperatures. Others are not quite so robust, but if conditions are right (well-drained soil, plants are mature and not young seedlings) the following palms will tolerate quite cold conditions.
- Jelly palm (Butia capitata)
- European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)
- Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis)
- Australian cabbage-tree palm (Livistona australis)
- Canary Island palm (Phoenix canariensis)
- Miniature date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Tropical trees
This stunning strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is very frost hardy yet its lovely serrated leaves and scented flowers fit the subtropical style so well. Silk trees (Albizia) with their ferny foliage and pink bottlebrush-type flowers also look incredibly exotic and can still cope with temperatures down to -6ºC, possibly lower in the right position.
Other hardy trees with striking foliage include Cercis and Cotinus species, liriodendron, Magnolia grandiflora and other magnolias, paulownia and rose acacia (Robinia hispida).
This stunning strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is very frost hardy yet its lovely serrated leaves and scented flowers fit the subtropical style so well. Silk trees (Albizia) with their ferny foliage and pink bottlebrush-type flowers also look incredibly exotic and can still cope with temperatures down to -6ºC, possibly lower in the right position.
Other hardy trees with striking foliage include Cercis and Cotinus species, liriodendron, Magnolia grandiflora and other magnolias, paulownia and rose acacia (Robinia hispida).
Exotic Cordylines
With their elegant, narrow trunks, clumps of sword-shaped leaves and fragrant frothy flowers in spring cabbage trees (Cordyline australis, C indivisa and C. banksii) look as if they belong in the rainforest. Yet they will grow in low temperatures if given protection while young. The coloured forms look stunning but are less hardy and may need protection during very cold weather.
With their elegant, narrow trunks, clumps of sword-shaped leaves and fragrant frothy flowers in spring cabbage trees (Cordyline australis, C indivisa and C. banksii) look as if they belong in the rainforest. Yet they will grow in low temperatures if given protection while young. The coloured forms look stunning but are less hardy and may need protection during very cold weather.
Winter-hardy succulents
Most succulents come from warmer regions and need to be grown in containers so they can be moved inside during winter in very cold areas. The golden rule with virtually all succulents is to position them in full sun with a very well-drained potting mix. Those succulents that are frost hardy need to be kept very dry in winter. Try Agave Americana, Aloe ferox, Yucca gloriosa and Beschorneria yuccoides. For smaller-growing succulents plant Aloe aristata, some of the many Echeveria hybrid cultivars, many sedums and Sempervivum.
Most succulents come from warmer regions and need to be grown in containers so they can be moved inside during winter in very cold areas. The golden rule with virtually all succulents is to position them in full sun with a very well-drained potting mix. Those succulents that are frost hardy need to be kept very dry in winter. Try Agave Americana, Aloe ferox, Yucca gloriosa and Beschorneria yuccoides. For smaller-growing succulents plant Aloe aristata, some of the many Echeveria hybrid cultivars, many sedums and Sempervivum.
It’s a wrap
Some taro varieties, such as scented taro (Alocasia odora), and many other subtropical looking plants can cope with short periods of frost but won’t survive if the weather stays well below zero for prolonged periods. If in doubt plant in pots that can be moved to shelter or wrap in hessian to protect them. Adding a thick layer of mulch will also help keep the soil warm during winter, protecting the roots of frost-tender plants.
Some taro varieties, such as scented taro (Alocasia odora), and many other subtropical looking plants can cope with short periods of frost but won’t survive if the weather stays well below zero for prolonged periods. If in doubt plant in pots that can be moved to shelter or wrap in hessian to protect them. Adding a thick layer of mulch will also help keep the soil warm during winter, protecting the roots of frost-tender plants.
Bamboo garden
Bamboo is the ideal screen for exotic gardens and, fortunately, some species are able to grow in cooler climates. These include Fargesia, Himalaycalamus and Phyllostachys.
Remember, temperatures vary considerably in gardens throughout the country, depending on the shelter and sun exposure, so check with your local garden centre before making any plant selections.
TELL US
What plants have you got in your frosty garden? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
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Bamboo is the ideal screen for exotic gardens and, fortunately, some species are able to grow in cooler climates. These include Fargesia, Himalaycalamus and Phyllostachys.
Remember, temperatures vary considerably in gardens throughout the country, depending on the shelter and sun exposure, so check with your local garden centre before making any plant selections.
TELL US
What plants have you got in your frosty garden? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
True-Blue Native Plants That Do Us Proud
Top 10 Plants for Minimum Effort and Maximum Impact
Top 10 Scented Plants for Your Garden
This cool woodland garden is planted with frost-hardy plants with eye-catching foliage, such as Rodgersia, ferns, Hosta and Acorus, creating a verdant outdoor space with a lusciousness to rival the most exotic of gardens. Other cold-tolerant leafy plants that suit subtropical gardens include Ajuga, aspidistra, Bergenia, Farfugium japonicum, Ligularia, Heuchera, some taros, gingers and bamboos.