{"title":"Plants for Tropical \u0026 Exotic Borders","description":"\u003cp\u003eBig, bold, jungle-effect plants for building a lush tropical or exotic border.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fatsia-japonica-spiders-web","title":"Fatsia japonica 'Spiders Web'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most striking evergreen shrubs you can grow for shade, and a real talking point in any garden. This variegated form of the classic \u003cem\u003efatsia japonica\u003c\/em\u003e takes the bold, glossy, hand-shaped leaves of the species and dusts them with a fine spray of white speckling, heaviest at the leaf margins and fading towards the centre, exactly as though a spider had been busy overnight. No two leaves are quite the same, and the effect lights up the darkest, dampest corners where little else will thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standout among hardy exotics, \u003cstrong\u003espiders web fatsia\u003c\/strong\u003e brings a lush, almost tropical presence to UK gardens while shrugging off cold that would see off many tender lookalikes. The large palmate leaves give wonderful architectural structure year-round, and in autumn mature plants produce curious creamy-white drumstick flowers, much loved by late-foraging bees and other pollinators, followed by small black berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePosition is the key to keeping this \u003cstrong\u003evariegated fatsia japonica\u003c\/strong\u003e looking its best. It is happiest in partial or full shade; too much hot, direct sun can scorch the pale variegation, so a north- or east-facing aspect, or a sheltered spot dappled by taller plants, is ideal. Plant it in moist but well-drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. It is wonderfully unfussy about soil type, coping with chalk, clay, loam or sand across a range of pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e evergreen and reliably hardy across most of the UK once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e a rounded, bushy shrub of around 1.5-2.5m tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e shelter from cold drying winds; water well in the first seasons and in containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt excels in a large pot for a shady patio or courtyard, and pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas and other shade lovers. Whether you are after year-round structure or simply something a little different, \u003cstrong\u003efatsia japonica 'Spider's Web'\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers. Every plant we send out is nursery-grown and hand-selected, so it arrives healthy, well-rooted and ready to settle straight into your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"19cm","offer_id":41648540188716,"sku":"FATSJAPOSPIDWEB19","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"12cm","offer_id":42199237165100,"sku":"FATSJAPOSPIDWEB12","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/hkclyp-11.jpg?v=1701450165"},{"product_id":"cyathea-australis","title":"Cyathea cooperi","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi\u003c\/strong\u003e, the lacy tree fern or Australian tree fern, is one of the most elegant exotics you can grow under glass or in a sheltered courtyard. Native to the warm, humid forests of eastern Australia, it carries a crown of finely divided, arching fronds atop a slender trunk patterned with the scars of old frond bases. It is a genuine architectural statement plant, lending an instant rainforest feel to conservatories, shaded patios and lush jungle-style planting schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat sets the lacy tree fern apart is its pace and poise. It is one of the faster-growing tree ferns, throwing up fresh, bright green fronds that unfurl in soft croziers and quickly build a generous, feathery canopy. The trunk is more slender and refined than that of the chunky Dicksonia, and the fine, pale scales scattered along the stem and frond bases give it the \"lacy\" character behind its common name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender fern, so positioning matters. Choose a sheltered, humid, partly to fully shaded spot away from cold winds and harsh midday sun, which can scorch the foliage. Plant into moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil on the acid to neutral side, and keep the crown reliably damp through the growing season, watering into the top of the trunk as well as the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e frost-tender, tolerating only brief, light frost to around -3C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade, sheltered and humid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-6m or more over many years in frost-free conditions, far smaller in a pot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause it will not survive a typical UK winter outdoors, most growers treat \u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi\u003c\/strong\u003e as a container plant, standing it out for summer and moving it into a frost-free conservatory, greenhouse or porch before the cold arrives. Searches for \u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi UK\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eCyathea cooperi for sale\u003c\/strong\u003e have grown steadily as gardeners discover just how lush and rewarding it is with a little winter care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we send out is nursery-grown, healthy and carefully selected, ready to bring a touch of the Antipodean rainforest to your own collection of hardy and tender exotics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"12cm","offer_id":41999594618924,"sku":"CYATHEAAUSTRALIS12","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/hok-26.jpg?v=1698416490"},{"product_id":"dicksonia-antarctica-tree-fern","title":"Dicksonia antarctica | Tree Fern","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew plants bring instant drama to a shady corner like the tree fern. \u003cem\u003eDicksonia antarctica\u003c\/em\u003e is the hardiest and most popular tree fern in cultivation, prized for its sturdy fibrous trunk and magnificent crown of arching, deeply divided green fronds. A living link to the age of the dinosaurs, it lends a lush, prehistoric, almost rainforest atmosphere to gardens, courtyards and city plots across the UK. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, a reliable mark of garden-worthiness, and is a cornerstone of any hardy exotic planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners love it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold architectural silhouette that anchors a tropical or jungle-style border\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvergreen fronds up to 2m long radiating from a single woody trunk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenuinely hardy, thriving outdoors in most of Britain with minimal winter protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEqually at home in the ground or in a large container\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen you buy a tree fern, remember the trunk is the plant's lifeline: it is actually a mass of old leaf bases and roots that drinks in moisture, so water down the trunk as well as into the soil. Choose a sheltered, lightly shaded position away from harsh sun and cold drying winds. \u003cem\u003eDicksonia antarctica\u003c\/em\u003e is happy in any reasonable soil, including chalk, clay, loam and sand, as long as it stays moist but well-drained and rich in leaf mould. It tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline conditions alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrowth is famously slow, often just a few centimetres of trunk a year, so the specimen you receive will hold its stature for a long time. In cold spells protect the central crown by packing the top with dry straw or horticultural fleece, and wrap the trunk in the harshest winters; gardeners in milder, coastal areas often leave plants unprotected. Established plants shrug off frost down to around -5 to -8C, making this one of the most dependable tree ferns for sale in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery tree fern we send out is a healthy, well-rooted specimen, carefully selected and packed to arrive ready to settle straight into your garden or favourite pot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"12cm","offer_id":42811122352172,"sku":"DICKSONANTAR12","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/dicksonia.jpg?v=1709843140"},{"product_id":"cyathea-tomentosissima","title":"Cyathea tomentosissima","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most coveted small tree ferns in cultivation, \u003cem\u003eCyathea tomentosissima\u003c\/em\u003e brings the lush, prehistoric drama of the rainforest understorey to gardens with very little space to spare. Native to the cool, misty highlands of New Guinea, it forms a slender trunk clothed in extraordinary coppery-golden hairs, from which unfurl bright green, finely divided fronds. The species name means \"most densely woolly\", and it is that thick, tactile, almost metallic felt of scales on the croziers and stem that makes this such a collector's plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy gardeners want it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere the familiar Dicksonia can quickly outgrow a courtyard, this is a genuinely compact, clump-forming evergreen that stays in proportion for years. The new fiddleheads emerge wrapped in dense golden tomentum, slowly uncoiling into airy, fresh green foliage that catches the light beautifully in a shaded corner. If you have been searching for a hardy tree fern with real character and rarity, this is one of the most rewarding choices available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlender trunk densely cloaked in striking golden-brown scales\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact habit, ideal for small gardens, courtyards and large pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvergreen fronds for year-round structure and texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in partial to full shade, in a sheltered, humid position out of hot, drying sun and cold winds. Give it a moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil rich in leaf mould, and keep both the rootball and the trunk reliably damp through the growing season, misting in dry spells. Over many years it reaches around 1 to 1.5m, so it never overwhelms its setting. As one of the more cold-tolerant small tree ferns, it withstands short frosts once established, but in most of the UK it is best treated as borderline hardy: protect the central crown with fleece or dry straw over winter, or grow it in a container that can be moved under cover. Those choosing to buy a tree fern for a pot will find it adapts happily to a loam-based ericaceous mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery tree fern we offer is hand-selected and nursery-grown for a healthy crown and strong, well-rooted growing point, so your plant arrives ready to establish and thrive. Whether you are browsing tree fern for sale to anchor a shady border or add an exotic focal point, this rare cyathea is a standout in any Hardy Exotics collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GrowTropicals","offers":[{"title":"14cm","offer_id":57682563334527,"sku":"CYATTORM14","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/cyathea.jpg?v=1780670786"},{"product_id":"festuca-intense-blue","title":"Festuca 'Intense Blue'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFestuca glauca 'Intense Blue'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a standout selection of \u003cstrong\u003eblue fescue\u003c\/strong\u003e, chosen for the depth and intensity of its colour, a vivid, almost electric silver-blue that holds remarkably well through the year. Forming neat, evergreen hummocks of fine, needle-like foliage, it's one of the most striking compact \u003cstrong\u003eornamental grasses\u003c\/strong\u003e you can grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike all \u003cstrong\u003efestuca glauca\u003c\/strong\u003e, 'Intense Blue' is brilliant for adding cool colour and crisp, mounded form to sunny borders, gravel gardens, rockeries and containers. Use it in repeated groups for a rhythmic, contemporary look, or let it spill over the edge of a pot or raised bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant in full sun and free-draining soil for the most intense colour and the healthiest growth. It loves poor, dry, sandy or gravelly conditions and resents sitting wet over winter. It's fully hardy and evergreen, asking only that you comb out tired foliage in spring and divide the clumps every few years to refresh the blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun brings out the strongest blue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e sharp-draining; ideal for dry and gravel gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e trim or comb in spring; divide periodically\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant is nursery-grown and carefully selected, ready to bring a jolt of cool, year-round colour to your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm","offer_id":57809636295039,"sku":"FESTINT17","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"trachycarpus-fortunei","title":"Trachycarpus fortunei","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eChusan palm\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003ewindmill palm\u003c\/strong\u003e, is the definitive hardy palm for British gardens and the cornerstone of any exotic planting scheme. Instantly recognisable by its bold, fan-shaped fronds radiating from a slender trunk clothed in coarse, hessian-like fibre, it brings an unmistakable tropical silhouette to a climate where few true palms survive. This is the plant that lets you create a Mediterranean or jungle feel without leaving the resilience of a fully garden-hardy species behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cstrong\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei\u003c\/strong\u003e so prized in the UK is its remarkable cold tolerance. Rated RHS H5, it shrugs off temperatures down to around -15C once established, making it one of the few palms that genuinely thrives outdoors year-round across most of the country. It is evergreen, so the architectural canopy of glossy green fans holds firm through winter, and mature specimens even produce arching sprays of small yellow flowers in early summer followed by blue-black fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade, ideally sheltered from cold, drying winds that can tatter the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any fertile, free-draining soil, from chalk to clay, across the full pH range, drainage matters most.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e slow-growing to an eventual 3-10 m, so it stays in proportion for many years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e reliably hardy in the UK, with young crowns worth fleecing in severe frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to establish a strong root system, after which it becomes impressively drought-tolerant. An annual spring mulch and a balanced feed keep the fronds lush and the growth steady. It is equally at home in a large patio container for several seasons, making it a flexible choice for courtyards and smaller plots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are searching for \u003cstrong\u003eTrachycarpus fortunei UK\u003c\/strong\u003e stock or simply the best hardy palm for a focal point, this RHS Award of Garden Merit winner delivers timeless exotic structure. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy crown and strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"21cm","offer_id":57810283037055,"sku":"TRACHFORTU21","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"albizia-julibrissin-summer-chocolate","title":"Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew hardy exotics turn heads quite like \u003cstrong\u003eAlbizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'\u003c\/strong\u003e, a sumptuous dark-leaved selection of the much-loved \u003cstrong\u003ePersian silk tree\u003c\/strong\u003e. Where the species carries fresh green, ferny foliage, this cultivar unfurls feathery, mimosa-like leaves in deep chocolate-bronze to burgundy, giving the whole plant a smoky, almost tropical presence in the garden. From mid to late summer it is topped with powderpuff flowers in candyfloss pink, their silky stamens shimmering against the dark canopy and drawing in bees and butterflies on warm days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is this contrast of dusky foliage and bright bloom that makes the chocolate-leaved \u003cstrong\u003esilk tree\u003c\/strong\u003e such a prized specimen. Grown as a spreading small tree or large shrub, it develops a graceful, flat-topped, layered canopy that casts dappled shade, perfect as a focal point on a patio border, in a gravel garden, or among other exotics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the richest leaf colour, plant \u003cstrong\u003eAlbizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate'\u003c\/strong\u003e in full sun in a warm, sheltered spot, ideally south or west facing. It is happy in any reasonably fertile, well-drained soil, including chalk and sandy ground, and tolerates a wide pH range. Good drainage over winter matters far more than soil richness, so lighten heavy clay with grit before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMature size around 4-6 m tall by 3-5 m wide over many years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardy in most of the UK (RHS H4), to roughly -10C once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNotably drought-tolerant once its roots have settled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeciduous, leafing out late in spring, so be patient in early summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy through most of the country, it benefits from a winter mulch over the roots while young, and any frost-nipped shoots can simply be trimmed back in spring. Whether you are searching to \u003cstrong\u003ebuy Albizia julibrissin\u003c\/strong\u003e as a statement tree or hunting for an unusual dark-foliage exotic for a sheltered corner, this is a plant that rewards a sunny position handsomely. Every specimen we send out is nursery-grown, carefully hardened and selected for strong, healthy growth, ready to establish quickly and become a lasting talking point in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm","offer_id":57810283168127,"sku":"ALBIJULICHOC19","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"colocasia-esculenta-black-magic","title":"Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most theatrical foliage plants you can grow, and the original dusky-leaved taro that made the elephant ears craze take off. Huge, heart-shaped leaves are held on dark petioles and flush a deep, smoky purple-black that deepens almost to charcoal in good light, catching raindrops and glowing against brighter greens. If you want instant drama and a jungle feel, this is the plant that delivers it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a tender selection of \u003cstrong\u003ecolocasia esculenta\u003c\/strong\u003e, 'Black Magic' is grown purely for its architectural leaves rather than flowers, which makes it a brilliant centrepiece for borders, large containers and poolside plantings. Each season it powers up from a dormant tuber to form a bold, clump-forming mound, and the matt-black foliage of \u003cstrong\u003ecolocasia black magic\u003c\/strong\u003e pairs beautifully with limes, silvers and hot oranges. Few plants give this much presence so quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a thirsty, warmth-loving exotic. Give \u003cstrong\u003eblack magic colocasia\u003c\/strong\u003e a sheltered, sunny spot, or light dappled shade, in rich, moisture-retentive soil that never dries out. It is one of the few exotics genuinely happy in boggy ground and at the margins of a pond, and it relishes generous watering and regular feeding through the growing season. Shelter from strong wind keeps the large leaves from tearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight around 0.9 to 1.5 m with a similar spread in a good summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull sun for the darkest leaf colour; tolerates partial shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich, constantly moist soil or a large pot of water-retentive compost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeing tender (RHS H2), the \u003cstrong\u003eblack elephant ear plant\u003c\/strong\u003e will not survive a frosty UK winter outside. Treat it as a patio exotic: stand it out for summer, then lift and store the tuber somewhere frost-free, or simply move the container into a greenhouse, conservatory or porch once the foliage blackens in autumn. Come spring it bursts back into growth. Do note that all parts are toxic if eaten, so keep it away from children and pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery \u003cstrong\u003ecolocasia esculenta black magic\u003c\/strong\u003e we send is a strong, well-rooted plant, carefully grown and packed to arrive ready to put on a show in your garden or on the patio.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm","offer_id":57810283463039,"sku":"COLOBLACKMAGIC11","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"musa-ever-red","title":"Musa 'Ever Red'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew exotics deliver drama as quickly as \u003cstrong\u003eMusa 'Ever Red'\u003c\/strong\u003e, a strikingly coloured ornamental banana grown for its enormous paddle-shaped leaves washed in deep burgundy, maroon and oxblood red. As one of the darkest selections available, this \u003cstrong\u003ered banana plant\u003c\/strong\u003e brings instant jungle theatre to a sunny patio, courtyard or conservatory, and it has become a firm favourite with UK gardeners chasing a tropical look without leaving the British Isles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow Musa 'Ever Red'?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe appeal is all in the foliage. Each lush leaf unfurls flushed with red, intensifying to rich wine tones in strong light, while the pseudostem carries the same warm red blush. Planted as a centrepiece, this \u003cstrong\u003ered banana tree\u003c\/strong\u003e reads as a living sculpture, and it grows fast, putting on fresh leaves through the summer to reach around 2 to 3 metres in a single season under good conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a tender exotic rather than a fully hardy plant, so the simplest approach is to grow it in a generous container. That keeps it portable: stand it out in the warmth from late spring, then move it into a frost-free greenhouse, conservatory or bright porch from October to overwinter. Give it the brightest, most sheltered position you can, ideally full sun against a south or west facing wall, where the leaf colour develops best and the broad leaves are shielded from wind. Plant into a rich, free-draining loam-based compost with added grit, water freely and feed fortnightly through the growing season, as bananas are both hungry and thirsty. Over winter, ease off watering and let the plant rest somewhere cool but frost-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaching roughly 2 to 3 metres tall with a 1.5 to 2 metre spread, 'Ever Red' makes a superb feature specimen or the backbone of a hot, exotic planting scheme alongside cannas, colocasias and palms. If you have been searching for a \u003cstrong\u003ered banana plant uk\u003c\/strong\u003e growers can rely on, this is a standout. Every plant we send out is nursery-grown, carefully selected and established, ready to power away the moment the warmth arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm","offer_id":57810283725183,"sku":"MUSAEVERRED15","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"ensete-ventricosum-maurelii","title":"Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'","description":"Few plants deliver instant jungle drama like \u003cstrong\u003eEnsete ventricosum 'Maurelii'\u003c\/strong\u003e, the magnificent Red Abyssinian Banana. Often sold simply as \u003cem\u003eensete maurelii\u003c\/em\u003e, this is the showstopper of any exotic planting scheme, prized for its enormous paddle-shaped leaves flushed with deep wine-red, burgundy and oxblood tones. Bold, fast-growing and unmistakably tropical, it transforms a sunny patio, courtyard or border into a slice of the tropics in a single summer.\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy grow the Red Abyssinian Banana?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the most striking foliage plants you can grow outdoors in the UK. Each huge leaf can reach well over a metre long, with an olive-green upper surface and a glowing red-purple midrib and underside that lights up beautifully when backlit by low sun. Unlike a true Musa, this \u003cem\u003eensete ventricosum maurelii\u003c\/em\u003e forms a single, stout, swollen trunk rather than a clump, giving it an architectural, almost prehistoric presence. As a focal point or repeated through a hot, exotic border, the red banana plant brings height, lush texture and serious wow factor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDramatic burgundy-flushed, paddle-shaped leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast, statuesque growth in a single season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuperb as a patio container specimen or border centrepiece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairs beautifully with cannas, colocasia and other tender exotics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo get the best from your \u003cem\u003eensete ventricosum maurelii\u003c\/em\u003e in the UK, choose the warmest, sunniest and most sheltered spot you can offer, ideally against a south or west-facing wall and out of strong wind that can tear the leaves. Plant into rich, fertile, moisture-retentive yet free-draining soil or a loam-based compost, and water and feed generously throughout spring and summer to fuel that rapid, leafy growth. In a season it will typically reach 2 to 2.5 m, building to 3 to 4 m over several years in ideal conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCrucially, this is a tender exotic (RHS hardiness H2) and is not frost hardy, so it is best treated as a patio plant that summers outside and overwinters under cover. Before the first frosts, move it into a frost-free greenhouse, conservatory or cool bright room, or lift, trim and store the rootstock, then bring it back out once the danger of frost has passed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur plants are nursery-grown and carefully selected for strong, healthy growth and rich leaf colour, ready to make an immediate statement in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e]]\u0026gt;","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm","offer_id":57810283757951,"sku":"ENSEMAUR15","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]}],"url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/exotic-border-plants.oembed","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}