Health

Think exotic . . .

Jon Webster explains jungle styling Exotic plantings are all about boldness and striking foliage. The idea is to create a lush jungle effect and, although this style of planting has only become very popular in the last few years, it is not a new idea. It was very commonly practised during the late 19th century, when such plantings were called ‘picturesque’ or ‘subtropical’ and in 1871, William Robinson wrote an excellent book entitled ‘The Subtropical Garden’. As foliage is a prime element in these displays they have a good long season of interest and, as Robinson’s book illustrates, the principle is still followed today, more than 100 years on, but nowadays with a much wider selection of plants to choose from.

At Rosemoor we have a typical exotic planting scheme by Rosemoor house. The plants originate from all over the world, and have been artistically combined to create the desired effect. For this type of planting there is a wide choice of hardier trees and shrubs that will provide you with a permanent structure, provide shelter and also winter interest. With our milder climate in the South West we can rely on many more tender plants as being reasonably hardy, and the plants mentioned below are a ‘must’ for an exotic planting scheme.

Chamaerops humilis AGM, the dwarf fan palm from the western Mediterranean, has a bushy habit and big, fan shaped leaves. Growing to two to three metres in height, this is an ideal subject to grow in a large container. Musa basjoo AGM. The hardiest of the banana palms, this suckering perennial has huge, architectural green leaves. It originates from Japan and is quite hardy with us. Again the larger the plant, the lower the temperature it can tolerate. Leave it tall, as the new growth will start from that point the next spring, giving you instant height. Banana palms can reach four metres in height. Phormium tenax AGM, of New Zealand flax, is an evergreen perennial with sword shaped leaves. Many cultivars are available, offering variations of both size and foliage colour. The true species reaches three metres, but many cultivars are smaller than this. Most are hardy with us, although coloured leaved cultivars are less so, and therefore will do best when planted in a sheltered, sunny position. Trachycarpus fortunei AGM, the Chusan palm, is one of the few hardy palms. It is a single stemmed evergreen with fan-shaped, dark green leaves. Growing up to 20 metres, but slow growing, it is a great plant for year-round interest. Once it gets taller you can raise the lower leaves and plant underneath it. Cordyline australis AGM. The cabbage palm, grown for its spiky rosettes of foliage, will age to form a trunk 1.8 metres in height. The original species is green in leaf but many coloured cultivars are available, although these

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