Answers
All the garden beds have different types of plants which have overgrown and become untidy.
This landscape is in tropical Nth Queensland, Australia
where do you live? here in florida, gingers are very good, as are all the llillies - canna, calla, louisiana & african. although technically not native, they are semi or full tropicals. also, plumeria (frangipangi or hawaiian lei flower) is good.
Tropical Landscape Design help at Countryside Montessori 20091107
I am landscaping my Mother-in-laws yard and she wants a tropical design. I am not having much luck finding variations that will stay alive through the winter. She is not interested in pulling them up and bringing them inside for the winter. I am settling for some more marshy and deserty looking plants to help supliment. But it's still not Tropically enought. Can't plant trees either, so don't suggest that. Thanks!
I live in the central valley...Stanislaus County.
Where are you in California? That will help narrow down some ideas/suggestions I have but here are some I can think of off the top of my head:
Canna
Musa and Musella (hardy banana and ornamental banana-loves the leaves)
Hibiscus (many different forms available)
New Guinea Impatiens
Passiflora (passion vine)
Mandevilla laxa
Mandevilla 'Alice du Pont'
Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily)
Ferns
Ipomoea (Sweet potato vine)-many foliage colors available
Coleus - many foliage colors available and now varieties are sun tolerant!
Manettia (Firecracker vine)
Asarina barclaiana (vining snapdragon)
Cobaea scandens (cup and saucer vine)
Snapdragons
Abutilon (Flowering maple)
Tibouchina (Glory bush)
Cestrum - a few species available
Fuchsia
Justicia - many forms available
Iochroma - really cool flowers, kind of hard to find though
Lantana - many forms available
Heliotropium (Heliotrope) - so fragrant!
Phormium (New Zealand Flax) - to add texture
Yucca (Adam's Needle)
Cordyline (Torbay, Cabbage or Cornish Palm)
Brugmansia (Angel's Trumpet)
Datura (Devil's Trumpet)
Buddleia (butterfly bush)
Kalanchoe
Malva (Mallow)
Mirabilis (four o'clocks)
These are just a few I can think of. I'm just north of San Francisco and can grow all of these. There are a few that need frost protection but can go through the winter here.
Best of luck to you!
EDIT: Looks like you are in Zone 8 and I'm in Zone 8 too. I think all of these will do well for you. Your summer may be slightly warmer than mine but these will do okay if you have them in the right spot (sun plants in sun and shade plants in shade, etc). Happy Gardening.
Blog about landscaping » Tropical Landscaping Ideas
The tropically faint of heart may want to defer to another article, or adversely, read with an open mind. For they are about to experience a visual and educational awakening when it comes to proper placement of palm trees within a yard. Here are some tips on properly spacing the planting of palm trees within your own yard.
Now, I have nothing against palm trees. In the home we own, we just happen to be struggling with the decision a previous owner made to plant 7 towering Queen Palms in a small backyard space. Were in not for the fact that we peer out our first floor windows at nothing but tree trunks, rather than beautiful tree foliage, I would not be writing this article.
However, it is not just our struggle from which these tips come about, but the hundreds if not thousands of current and future palm tree purchasers and planters who will fail to understand the growth habits and space...
alternative Lifestyle
Finding the right landscape design style is one of the most difficult parts of planning an outdoor makeover, whether you're landscaping a new property or revamping your present yard. The right garden style must complement the overall look of your home, but it should also reflect your own tastes and cater to your personal needs. There are dozens of different landscape design styles to consider, each best suited for select types of homes and gardens. Here are a few of the most popular styles: An informal outdoor space is ideal for a casual atmosphere and can complement a variety of architectural styles. Curved flower beds and meandering pathways lend a relaxed feel, while mass plantings give an informal landscape design a natural appearance. Majestic shade trees are common features and colorful blooms often adorn the edges of walkways. This type of garden style is a favorite for homeowners that desire a relaxing, comfortable outdoor space for entertaining and recreation. Crisp lines, clean...
News
Take visual control with a screen fenceNashua Telegraph - Mar 13, 2011
You may think landscape design is just about making an attractive garden, but the truth is, design is a process of solving problems in a way that#39;s visually appealing. And design of your home landscape is identifying problem areas and finding plantsBrandon Sun - Mar 10, 2011
Gone Gardenin#39; -- Little tropical peperomias perfect for winter indoor garden top plants and they can be used in plant groupings as well. These delightful plants add unique colour and texture to the interior landscape wherever they are used. Albert Parsons is a consultant for garden design and landscaping who lives in Minnedosa.Montgomery Newspapers - Mar 08, 2011
New for the flower show this year, there will be an area for event-goers to consult with members of Burke Brothers and see samples of its landscape designs. Continued Burke Brothers#39; greenhouse manager Bob Feldstein cares for some of the plantsVisalia Times-Delta - Feb 24, 2011
Steve R. Fujimoto Editor#39;s note: Peyton Ellas is a landscape designer and owner of Quercus Landscape Design in Springville. Just about anyone in Visalia who has had a hand in sustainability and water conservation efforts will point to Ellas as an and morenbsp;raquo;TheNewsTribune.com - Mar 09, 2011
Downtown Dirt seeks to help ease Tacoma#39;s asphalt jungleWe also offer landscape design for courtyard containers and balconies.” The store#39;s sparse, clean lines draw the eye to the succulents and tropical plants for sale. On a recent Thursday, the inventory included a jasmine with fragrant white blossoms; and morenbsp;raquo;
Vancouver Sun - Mar 04, 2011
The perfect proof of the theory that less is often better than more is evident in the garden by Matt Vandenberg of Vandenberg Landscape Design, in which four handsome large #39;Magnolia grandiflora #39;Teddy Bear#39; have been placed in elegant repetition in a and morenbsp;raquo;The Cypress Times - Mar 09, 2011
Participating in this year#39;s show is Stewart Land Designs, a complete design and building company for outdoor living. Also, check out CJ#39;s Yardworks and Neumann Landscape Designs for great ideas. The Pool Man will provide more options for the creation and morenbsp;raquo;
Landscaping with Tropical Plants: Design Ideas, Creativ
Landscaping with Tropical Plants: Design Ideas, Creative Garden Plans, Cold-Cl..