Plants for Tropical & Exotic Borders

Q: What plants make a tropical or exotic border?

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Q: Can I create an exotic border in a small garden?

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Q: How do I make an exotic border look lush?

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Q: Are exotic border plants hardy?

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Q: When is the best time to plant an exotic border?

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Bold, jungle-effect plants for exotic borders in UK gardens. Big-leaved bananas, hardy palms, dramatic tree ferns and architectural grasses chosen for tropical impact that lasts through a British winter.

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Foxglove Tree 'Futuro'

Paulownia elongata 'Futuro'

£27.99

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Heavenly Bamboo 'Gulfstream'

Nandina domestica 'Gulfstream'

£34.99

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The GrowTropicals Guide to Exotic Borders

How to plant an exotic border in the UK

An exotic border is about contrast: big paddle leaves of a Musa basjoo against the fine texture of a Fargesia; the fibrous trunk of a Trachycarpus rising above low mounds of hardy fern. The formula that works reliably in the UK is: one or two structural anchors (palm, tree fern or banana), a mid-layer of clumping bamboo or architectural grasses, a ground layer of hardy ferns and Fatsia for shade or Agave and low-growing succulents for sun. Read our honest guide to what to expect from hardy exotics through the seasons before ordering.

Care essentials for exotic borders

Position: Ideally sheltered from wind, particularly the east and north. A south or west-facing border against a warm wall performs best.
Soil: Deep, rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained. Exotic borders reward heavy soil improvement at planting.
Layering: Aim for three vertical layers: 2 to 4 metre anchor specimens, a mid-layer of 1 to 2 metre plants, and ground-cover foliage below 50 cm. This is what reads as jungle.
Feeding: Big leaves need feeding. Apply a general-purpose fertiliser monthly through summer and mulch generously with garden compost each spring.
Winter care: Wrap tender pseudostems on bananas and protect the crowns of tree ferns. Everything else typically looks after itself.

Explore the exotic border range

Build your exotic border from hardy palms, hardy bananas, tree ferns, hardy bamboo and architectural foliage. See the full Hardy Exotics range for companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants make a tropical or exotic border?

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.

Can I create an exotic border in a small garden?

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.

How do I make an exotic border look lush?

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.

Are exotic border plants hardy?

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.

When is the best time to plant an exotic border?

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.