Top 10 Flowering Plants for Subtropical Gardens
Consider planting these sunny summer staples in your garden to totally transform your outdoor space
Johanna MacMinn
19 December 2015
A garden cannot be successfully defined by flowers alone, but flowering vegetation plays an important role in the gardens of subtropical regions. Our seasonal differences are more subtle than our southern neighbours, so the colours and scents of flowers help to mark the change of seasons in our gardens.
Summer is a magical time for subtropical landscapes; we are bombarded by masses of vibrantly coloured flowers. The heat and heavy rains that are common in subtropical summers bring gardens to life, producing a cacophony of colour that screams of verdant lushness. Here are some impressive flowering plants to consider planting in your home to make the most of summer blooms.
Summer is a magical time for subtropical landscapes; we are bombarded by masses of vibrantly coloured flowers. The heat and heavy rains that are common in subtropical summers bring gardens to life, producing a cacophony of colour that screams of verdant lushness. Here are some impressive flowering plants to consider planting in your home to make the most of summer blooms.
1. Jacaranda
Jacarandas (Jacaranda mimosifolia) are an iconic tree of the subtropics, and are a welcome sight all over Queensland and parts of NSW when in flower. Jacarandas begin flowering in the spring, with the last of the flowers falling in early summer. They look stunning planted en masse when their flowers form purple carpets below the trees. And the trees themselves are briefly deciduous; they drop their leaves at the end of the dry season before leafing up again with spring rains.
TIP: Take into account their leaf and flower drop. If planted around pools they can clog filters and cause a slip hazard on hard paving. Also make sure you have enough space. These plants grow to a height of 10 to 15 metres, and their spread can be equal to their height. They also don’t respond well to trimming as it mars their beautiful shape by sending up vertical suckers instead.
Photo by Flickr user ivetriedeverything
Jacarandas (Jacaranda mimosifolia) are an iconic tree of the subtropics, and are a welcome sight all over Queensland and parts of NSW when in flower. Jacarandas begin flowering in the spring, with the last of the flowers falling in early summer. They look stunning planted en masse when their flowers form purple carpets below the trees. And the trees themselves are briefly deciduous; they drop their leaves at the end of the dry season before leafing up again with spring rains.
TIP: Take into account their leaf and flower drop. If planted around pools they can clog filters and cause a slip hazard on hard paving. Also make sure you have enough space. These plants grow to a height of 10 to 15 metres, and their spread can be equal to their height. They also don’t respond well to trimming as it mars their beautiful shape by sending up vertical suckers instead.
Photo by Flickr user ivetriedeverything
2. Royal poinciana
Just as the purple explosion of Jacaranda flowers are beginning to dwindle, in steps the Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) to continue the show. Brilliant red flowers cover this attractive tree in November and December. These trees quickly grow to a medium size, with a canopy that spreads attractively outward.
TIP: Poinciana are susceptible to borer and fungus attack. If you see anything suspicious call in an arborist early, who can help you manage the health of your tree.
Just as the purple explosion of Jacaranda flowers are beginning to dwindle, in steps the Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) to continue the show. Brilliant red flowers cover this attractive tree in November and December. These trees quickly grow to a medium size, with a canopy that spreads attractively outward.
TIP: Poinciana are susceptible to borer and fungus attack. If you see anything suspicious call in an arborist early, who can help you manage the health of your tree.
3. Frangipani
You know that summer is well and truly on its way when frangipanis (Plumeria sp.) start to flower. There are four types of frangipanis available, with the most common being Plumeria rubra. It is usually seen in white with a yellow centre, but are also available in many hues of pink, orange and yellow.
TIP: Frangipani thrive with little care, but will benefit from food and water in the summer months. Beware of excessive watering during winter as this will encourage rot.
Photo by Flickr user Rodney Pentax k100d
You know that summer is well and truly on its way when frangipanis (Plumeria sp.) start to flower. There are four types of frangipanis available, with the most common being Plumeria rubra. It is usually seen in white with a yellow centre, but are also available in many hues of pink, orange and yellow.
TIP: Frangipani thrive with little care, but will benefit from food and water in the summer months. Beware of excessive watering during winter as this will encourage rot.
Photo by Flickr user Rodney Pentax k100d
4. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea wins the prize for most flamboyant plant. Its colourful bracts are available in intense pinks and oranges, and its thorns allow it to clamber over fences, walls and pergolas. It can also be ‘trained’ as a shrub or ground cover, but it really does have a mind of its own, so dwarf ‘bambino’ varieties are a better option for pots and smaller gardens.
TIP: If your bougainvillea is leafing up instead of producing blooms you may be giving it too much TLC. Cut back on the water, food and pruning and you will be rewarded with beautiful flushes of colour.
Bougainvillea wins the prize for most flamboyant plant. Its colourful bracts are available in intense pinks and oranges, and its thorns allow it to clamber over fences, walls and pergolas. It can also be ‘trained’ as a shrub or ground cover, but it really does have a mind of its own, so dwarf ‘bambino’ varieties are a better option for pots and smaller gardens.
TIP: If your bougainvillea is leafing up instead of producing blooms you may be giving it too much TLC. Cut back on the water, food and pruning and you will be rewarded with beautiful flushes of colour.
5. Bird-of-paradise
Birds-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) are the quintessential tough guys of the subtropical garden. They are able to withstand full sun, drought and neglect and still send out beautiful orange and purple blooms. When given a bit of care they thrive, and can be an amazing asset to the subtropical garden.
TIP: Be sure to trim out old flowers once they have died back, as this will encourage new flowers to bloom.
Birds-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) are the quintessential tough guys of the subtropical garden. They are able to withstand full sun, drought and neglect and still send out beautiful orange and purple blooms. When given a bit of care they thrive, and can be an amazing asset to the subtropical garden.
TIP: Be sure to trim out old flowers once they have died back, as this will encourage new flowers to bloom.
6. Heliconia
No other plants say tropical like heliconias and gingers, with their oversized paddle-shaped leaves and outrageously colourful flowers. Subtropical gardeners have many varieties of heliconia to chose from, and while colours and sizes are diverse they are easily identifiable by their large lush leaves and bright flowers that are either erect or pendulous.
TIP: Heliconia grow in semi-shade to full-sun areas and thrive in a rich soil. The flowers are fabulous cut and brought inside to enjoy.
Heliconia pictured is Lobster claws (Heliconia rostrata).
Photo by Flickr user ppaulinesm
No other plants say tropical like heliconias and gingers, with their oversized paddle-shaped leaves and outrageously colourful flowers. Subtropical gardeners have many varieties of heliconia to chose from, and while colours and sizes are diverse they are easily identifiable by their large lush leaves and bright flowers that are either erect or pendulous.
TIP: Heliconia grow in semi-shade to full-sun areas and thrive in a rich soil. The flowers are fabulous cut and brought inside to enjoy.
Heliconia pictured is Lobster claws (Heliconia rostrata).
Photo by Flickr user ppaulinesm
7. Ornamental gingers
Ornamental gingers such as Hedychium sp. & Zingiber sp., with their heady fragrance and colourful flowers, make subtropical gardens pop. Their long, elegant stems make excellent cut flowers too.
TIP: Ornamental gingers are heavy feeders. Give them a monthly dose of fertiliser high in potassium and phosphorus from September through to November to encourage flowering.
Ornamental gingers such as Hedychium sp. & Zingiber sp., with their heady fragrance and colourful flowers, make subtropical gardens pop. Their long, elegant stems make excellent cut flowers too.
TIP: Ornamental gingers are heavy feeders. Give them a monthly dose of fertiliser high in potassium and phosphorus from September through to November to encourage flowering.
8. Kaffir lily
Kaffir lily (Clivia miniata) or clivia have strappy evergreen leaves and brilliant flowers, which are typically orange but also available in cream, yellow, and even red.Clivia enjoy shade and brighten up the garden under trees. Once established, they are drought tolerant.
TIP: If your clivia aren’t flowering, you may need a little more patience. Clivia miniata typically take four years to mature and flower. Once the plant has 12 to 14 leaves, it is considered mature.
Kaffir lily (Clivia miniata) or clivia have strappy evergreen leaves and brilliant flowers, which are typically orange but also available in cream, yellow, and even red.Clivia enjoy shade and brighten up the garden under trees. Once established, they are drought tolerant.
TIP: If your clivia aren’t flowering, you may need a little more patience. Clivia miniata typically take four years to mature and flower. Once the plant has 12 to 14 leaves, it is considered mature.
9. Agapanthus
Agapanthus or ‘aggies’ as they are affectionately known, are a staple of gardens across Australia. They come in white and blues, small to large, with their long-lasting flowers resembling fireworks.Agapanthus’ strappy green leaves make them an attractive understory planting in the garden all year round.
TIP: If you are growing in pots, the plant will flower better if its roots are congested.
Agapanthus or ‘aggies’ as they are affectionately known, are a staple of gardens across Australia. They come in white and blues, small to large, with their long-lasting flowers resembling fireworks.Agapanthus’ strappy green leaves make them an attractive understory planting in the garden all year round.
TIP: If you are growing in pots, the plant will flower better if its roots are congested.
10. Bromeliads
Bromeliads come in lots of shapes and sizes, many with colourful flowers and foliage. They are epiphytes (plants that grow harmlessly on other plants), so need very little watering and attention. Just top up the water in the cups at the base of their leaves occasionally.
TIP: Some bromeliads love the sun, but most are good for planting in dry shady areas. They also grow well in pots and add a punch of colour to vertical gardens.
TELL US
What’s your favourite subtropical plant? Let us know or post pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
Top 10 Succulents for Subtropical Gardens
How to Bring Your Subtropical Garden to Life
12 Superstars of the Subtropical Garden
Bromeliads come in lots of shapes and sizes, many with colourful flowers and foliage. They are epiphytes (plants that grow harmlessly on other plants), so need very little watering and attention. Just top up the water in the cups at the base of their leaves occasionally.
TIP: Some bromeliads love the sun, but most are good for planting in dry shady areas. They also grow well in pots and add a punch of colour to vertical gardens.
TELL US
What’s your favourite subtropical plant? Let us know or post pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
Top 10 Succulents for Subtropical Gardens
How to Bring Your Subtropical Garden to Life
12 Superstars of the Subtropical Garden
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Thank you so much for the article, Johanna MacMinn/My Verandah.
For those folks claiming that the author didn't do enough research about trees that crack utility areas or has recommended weeds in your shire, please remember that the subtropical zone covers approx half of Australia so what is a weed in one shire will be prized and well behaved in another.
Furthermore, please remember that Houzz is a free resource intended for a very wide audience. It is quite extraordinary to think that the broad-brush, magazine style information given will be specific to every individual's unique requirements, yet many users seem to feel that it should. The plants that Johanna has recommended are all very tough and easy to grow for a wide range of situations as well as being easy to purchase from nurseries across the country.
If you want specific information tailored to your own home on local weeds or how and where to plant a tree, by all means use this article as a jumping off point, but then you call in and pay for, a horticulturalist, rather than lambasting the author of a free information site.