You can build an exotic oasis in your yard by
incorporating tropical plants into an annual or perennial garden. Tropical
plants offer great elements for the landscape: huge, shiny leaves; bold,
outrageous colors; and ferny textures.
Using tropicals in the outdoor garden is nothing new.
Plant collectors have grown and collected them for hundreds of years.
Annuals such as geraniums, impatiens, and begonias are actually tropicals.
Tropical plants tend to draw attention to the garden.
These plants will make visitors to the garden wonder whether they’re
in central Illinois or the southern United States. In most cases, summers
here get plenty of heat and humidity, with occasional heavy rains. Along
with full sun, these conditions push the growth of tropicals into high
gear. These growing conditions will produce plants that look outstanding in
July and August.
Many popular houseplants, such as rubber plant, dumb
cane (Dieffenbachia),
spider plant, peace lily (Spathyphyllum), pothos, and croton make excellent additions to the
tropical border. Tropicals may be grown directly in the ground or in
containers. Plants in containers may be placed by entrances, patios, and
decks or plunged into the ground of an annual or perennial garden.
Containers are easier to move inside for the winter.
Other tropical plants to consider include yellow
angel’s trumpet(Brugmansia), Hawaiian ti (Cordyline), banana, palms, New Zealand flax(Phormium
texax), and tropical hibiscus. These plants may
be overwintered as houseplants.
Canna, ginger, Caladium, ginger, and elephant ear (Alocasia,Colocasia or Xanthasoma) are all striking plants that prefer rich, moist soil. In the
fall after a light frost, dig these plants and store the bulbs (rhizomes,
tubers or roots) in a cool, dark area until spring.
Don’t forget about tropical-looking perennials,
which can also give the garden a tropical feel. Choose from goat’s
beard (Aruncus),
meadowsweet (Filipendula), large ornamental grasses such as plume grass (Erianthus), ornamental rhubarb (Rheum), hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos),
large-leaved hostas, butterbur (Petasites
giganteus), and hardy, large-leaved ferns. Both
ornamental rhubarb and butterbur boast two- to three-foot leaves.
Tropical plants can be found to fit almost any
situation in the garden, from full sun to shade. In general, tropical
plants should be placed outside only after the danger of frost is past.
Most tropicals prefer soils that are uniformly moist, so water them
thoroughly. They should be fertilized every week or two with a liquid
fertilizer. Fertilizers high in nitrogen will help keep the plant actively
growing and producing large, healthy leaves.
More details about exotic accents to a home garden or
landscape are just a click of a mouse away, thanks to a new University of
Illinois Extension Web site. Visit “Tropical Punch” at
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/tropicalpunch/index.html. The site provides
information about the selection, care, use, and overwintering of tropical
plants in Midwestern gardens. The Web site focuses on 14 different tropical
plants that are suited for the Midwestern environment and provides pictures
showing how they work in a landscape.
Buy a Garden Club plant
The Springfield Civic Garden Club holds its annual
plant sale 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 7, in the lower level of the
University of Illinois Extension Building No. 30, on the Illinois State
Fairgrounds.
A large selection of locally grown perennials,
including sun-loving day lilies, miniature roses, irises, and black-eyed
Susans; shade perennials such as hostas and ferns; annuals; bulbs; and
houseplants will be available for sale. The plants are donated by club
members.
Master gardeners with the U of I Extension will be
present to answer questions.
This fundraiser supports SCGC community projects.
This article appears in May 5-11, 2005.
