Plants for Tropical & Exotic Borders


Big, bold, jungle-effect plants for building a lush tropical or exotic border.

4 products

    4 products
    Cyathea cooperi Plants - Outdoor GrowTropicals

    Cyathea cooperi

    £15.99
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    Dicksonia antarctica | Tree Fern Plants - Outdoor GrowTropicals

    Dicksonia antarctica | Tree Fern

    £12.99
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    Cyathea tomentosissima Plants - Outdoor GrowTropicals
    Golden Dwarf Tree Fern

    Cyathea tomentosissima

    £16.99
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    Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web' 12cm Plants - Outdoor GrowTropicals

    Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web'

    £15.99
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Big-leaved, bold plants such as hardy palms, bananas, tree ferns, cannas and architectural foliage are the backbone of an exotic border. This collection gathers hardy plants that give that jungle effect while surviving a UK winter.

    Yes. A few bold plants in a small space, or a cluster of pots on a patio or balcony, create a surprisingly lush jungle feel. Big leaves do a lot of work, so even a courtyard can have real exotic impact.

    Plant in layers and pack plants closer than usual: tall palms and bananas for height, tree ferns and big foliage in the middle, and bold ground cover below. Mixing leaf shapes and sizes is what makes it feel full and immersive.

    The plants in this collection are chosen to grow outdoors in the UK, and each is labelled with its hardiness. Many are fully hardy, while a few of the most tropical-looking benefit from a sheltered spot or winter protection.

    Late spring is ideal, once frosts have passed and the soil is warming, giving plants a full season to establish before winter. Feed and water well through summer to fuel the big, fast growth that makes the look.

    Build a lush, jungle-effect border

    An exotic border is gardening at its most generous: big leaves, bold shapes and a green, immersive feel that transports you somewhere far warmer. This collection brings together the building blocks of a tropical border, from palms and bananas to tree ferns and bold foliage, all hardy enough to do it outdoors in the UK.

    An exotic look for patios and small spaces

    You do not need a big garden for the jungle effect. A cluster of bold plants in pots turns a patio, balcony or courtyard into a leafy retreat, and a few large leaves go a long way in a small space. Container growing also lets you move tender plants under cover for winter.

    Layering a tropical border

    The secret to a convincing exotic border is layers. Use tall bananas and palms for height, tree ferns and big foliage for the middle, and grasses and bold ground cover to fill in below. Pack plants closer than you would in a traditional border, mix leaf shapes and sizes, and the result feels lush rather than spotty.

    Planting and care

    Most exotic-border plants want a warm, sheltered spot with rich, moisture-retentive soil, and they grow fast when fed and watered well through summer. Check the hardiness of each plant, give the more tender ones a sheltered position or winter protection, and your border will reward you from spring to autumn.