{"id":12345314,"date":"2015-05-28T05:46:54","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T09:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tonyamillerdesign.com\/private\/?p=12345314"},"modified":"2022-03-09T14:15:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T19:15:06","slug":"creating-a-tropical-paradise-in-your-backyard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fairviewgardencenter.com\/blog\/creating-a-tropical-paradise-in-your-backyard\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating a Tropical Paradise in Your Backyard"},"content":{"rendered":"
Travel to the Tropics in Your Backyard<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you wish you could get away for a while but don\u2019t want to spend a fortune on a tropical vacation? Well, with a little creativity and some unusual plants, you can create your own tropical paradis<\/a>e right in your backyard! Many of the plants that you see in magazines or growing in tropical places can be grown right here in North Carolina during the spring and summer months. And even better, a lot of these plants are very adaptable to our wide range of soils and weather patterns. The key to any garden is to make sure the plants you want can thrive with the amount of sunlight you have. Whether you have full shade or full, hot sun, there are plenty of options for any gardener.<\/p>\n Plants, Plants and More Plants!<\/strong><\/p>\n After deciding where you want to put your garden and how much light you have, then the real fun begins: It\u2019s time to decide what plants to put into your landscape! Below you will find some of Fairview\u2019s favorite tropical plants, both annual and perennial.<\/p>\n Banana Tree<\/strong><\/a> Ensete Maurelli<\/strong> Shrimp Plant<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Also known as the lollipop plant, this plant is becoming more and more common in tropical landscapes, mainly because of it\u2019s versatility. It prefers full sun but can also survive in part sun. In addition, it doesn\u2019t need as much water as bananas but cannot take drought-like conditions. The shrimp plant is a relatively medium grower (it might reach five feet in one growing season) and is an annual here in North Carolina. Fertilize weekly.<\/p>\n Elephant Ear<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a>Here at Fairview, we have a wide variety of Elephant Ears to choose from, both perennial and annual. The perennials include \u2018Black Magic\u2019, \u2018Taro\u2019 and \u2018Odora\u2019. The annual varieties include \u2018Mojito\u2019, \u2018Hilo Bay\u2019 and many more. Elephant ears, depending on the variety you choose, can take anywhere from shade to full sun. They prefer moist soil and can even take a boggy soil. Fertilize bi-weekly.<\/p>\n Mandevilla<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This ever-popular vine comes in white, yellow, pinks and reds (and even in double forms!). They prefer full sun, nutrient-rich soil and they don\u2019t like to dry out… so make sure you keep their soil moist! These vines aren\u2019t very fast growing, but if you fertilize them bi-weekly you won\u2019t be disappointed!<\/p>\n Hawaiian Snowbush<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A Fairview Exclusive, this tropical annual does great both outdoors and in. It prefers to be planted in full sun but does just fine in part shade. Hawaiian Snowbush is a vigorous grower and spreads to about five feet wide. Does great in containers. Fertilize once a month.<\/p>\n Caladiums<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\nMost banana tree species in North Carolina are annual with the exception of \u2018Basjoo.\u2019 Here at Fairview, we carry \u2018Basjoo,\u2019 It is a very fast growing banana that can easily reach 15\u2019 tall in a couple of years. Treat it as a tender perennial and make sure to mulch well in the winter. They prefer very moist soil and full sun. Fertilize weekly. This banana tree has a habit of spreading at least 10\u2019 all the way around the mother plant.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAlthough this plant is considered a banana tree, it does not flower or bear fruit like other banana trees. It doesn\u2019t get as tall as most bananas, either; it grows to a max of eight feet tall and doesn\u2019t spread very much (the spread of the individual plant may get to five feet wide). Give Ensete plenty of moisture and full to part sun. Fertilize weekly. Also is great in containers.<\/p>\n