Create a Tropical Escape in Your Own Backyard

Even if you only have a patio or deck you can create a hearty, backyard paradise with tropical plants. Living in New York, you may find it diffiuclt to choose plants that will last all season long and even harder still to find plants that you won't have to replace after the winter. There are lots of hearty exotic plants you can buy and care for with relative ease. Many tropical plants will thrive outdoors in warm weather and there are a few you can keep year round. If you are looking to make over your backyard or patio into a tropical paradise here are some suggestions on choosing and caring for these unique plants.

Because most exotic plants available for sale are not native to the United States and it's harsh winters, you will need a place to store them indoors during the colder months. Choose a room that gets lots of sun and is plenty warm without much assistance from man made heating sources. Do not store tropical plants in cold or drafty places because they will suffer and may not survive until the next summer. Most tropical plants can be kept in the home year round with relative ease and help create better indoor air quality. Before moving your plants to their new homes outside for the summer they will need time to acclimate to the new environment. For the first couple of weeks outside store your plants on a porch or in another relatively shady place where the temperature does not get above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

After a couple of weeks your plants will be ready to move permanently for the rest of the summer. Some tropical plants flourish in bright sun but some species need shade to survive. Make sure you know what kind of environment your plants will need including soil type, drainage, and size of container. That being said, most tropical plants you intend to keep outdoors should be potted with moderately damp soil and adequate drainage. You can find thousands of varieties of tropical plants at most nurseries. For a few hundred dollars you can create an island escape right in your own backyard with ease. Of course large plants will be more costly than smaller ones but if you can afford it, why not?

Choose plants with vivid and bright colors. You will find a variety of reds, purples, greens, oranges, pinks, and yellows. Some plants have oversized leaves, some with fragrant flowering blossoms, and others that can survive cold temperatures and frost. Often, exotic plants can grow very large, very quickly without drying out in the sun. Your plants will peak around July and the blossoms, fragrances, and colors should last until mid September. At the end of the season most of your tropical plants should be brought indoors or you may find yourself spending hundreds of dollars on new plants each year. Learn about a few tropical plants and how to care for them so you can have a long lasting, beautiful retreat right in your own backyard.

Crotons
There are thousands of varieties of crotons around the world. The original plant is native to Asia and the Bahamas and was first discovered almost 300 years ago. Croton plants may also be called rushfoil in some places. Most kinds of Croton have small flowers during bloom that are very fragrant and long lasting. Croton can be placed in direct sunlight and will grow quickly if the soil is moist with adequate drainage. Flooding the plant will cause the leaves to yellow and dryness will cause the plant to wilt. Some Croton plants will drop seeds nearby on the ground and the flowering bloom can come in a variety of colors. Although this plant is able to grow in direct sunlight you should take care to make sure the temperature does not get above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant should be stored indoors during the winter because it cannot survive a Northeastern winter. Do not return Crotons to the outdoors until June because spring time temperatures can be a bit chilly for this plant.

Birds of Paradise
This tropical flowering plant is very popular in exotic landscaping and will last all season long. The University of Florida names the plant native to South Africa and a member of the banana family. This plant needs fertile soil so start with a nutrient rich potting mixture. Birds of Paradise flower in a few colors and kind of look like hummingbirds. The pot should be no larger than 1 gallon unless the plant is grows larger and starts crowding. The soil should be moderately damp with good drainage, and should be kept in a sunny spot. You will need to water this plant weekly making sure the soil is completely saturated. You may want to keep a saucer at the bottom of the pot to collect excess water so the plant can stay moist longer, but do not allow the roots to become flooded. Unlike most tropical plants this Birds of Paradise can survive colder temperatures but should not be exposed to extreme conditions like snow and freezing rain. Birds of Paradise can live indoors in a warm sunny place, free from drafts and then returned to the outdoors during late spring.

Palm Trees and Bushes
Most palms native to tropical places like islands can actually survive harsh Northeastern winters. Some varieties can even withstand frost and freezing. As with Crotons, there are many varieties to choose from including the fan palm, Areca palm, Needle palm, Majesty palm, and Date palms. Some palms, like the fan palm grow on a long stem while other kinds of palms grow on trunks, and some have short stems close to the ground. Most varieties are fast growing and do not need much care except the occasional watering. Some are short, dense, and bushy while other palms may be tall growing to over 6 feet. Some exotic looking palms are native to the southern US and can be found in places lie Georgia and Florida. Palms from these two states often have no problems acclimating to New York winters. Palm trees and bushes can be kept in a 3-10 gallon pot or planted in the ground. Hearty species can be kept outdoors all year long but will survive indoors with adequate drainage and plenty of sunlight.

Banana Plants
Another fast growing tropical plant, the banana family offers thousands of varieties for your backyard oasis. Some trees can grow to be 12 feet or taller in one summer and should be stored indoors for the winter. If ceiling height is a problem you may have to sacrafice your banana plants and buy them again during the next season. You may be able to find a greenhouse that will store your tall plants for a monthly fee during the winter. Check with your local nurseries and horticulture clubs to find out if this is an available resource. Some colleges and universities may also store plants indoors and may have some extra space in their greenhouse for your trees. Banana trees have large leaves that provide ample shade for other plants and yourself. As with most tropical plants, the banana plant should have moderately damp soil but take care not to flood or let the roots dry out. An 8-10 inch pot is suitable for most varieties of banana plants.

Boston Fern
Hence the name, the Boston Fern is is native to Boston, England although temperatures are far from tropical there. The Boston Fern is typically used as a houseplant, but because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain it can make a great addition to your outdoor paradise. When the weather begins to turn cold you should move the fern indoors, or you can simply replace it during the next season. Boston Ferns should be placed out of direct sunlight and should planted in soil that is moist to the touch, but not wet. A hanging basket or potted planter on a stand is a great way to display the Boston Fern. You should water the fern daily during the hottest days of summer but never let the plant sit in water. A Saucer may keep the Boston Fern from drying too quickly but may cause to much water to stay in the roots. It is best to check your ferns daily for soil moisture.

Bamboo
As with most tropical plant varities bamboo offers many different choices and looks. There are many kinds of bamboo that thrive in colder temperatures making them perfect for Northeastern outdoor use. Bamboo can spread quickly taking over an entire garden in just a couple of summers so care should be taken to prevent this. Store bamboo in an upright ceramic planter on concrete, blacktop, or wood. Lots of bamboo is resistant to high temperatures and can survive in lower temperatures as well. Some varieties of bamboo can be kept outdoors year round and will replenish themselves each spring, other types will need to be kept at warm temperatures with moderately high humidity. Bamboo should be watered daily and dead stalks removed weekly.

Papyrus
Papyrus is native to Egypt and has been documented as a source of paper for early civilization. This fan palm plant grows on a long stem and can grow to be more than 5 feet tall. This plant should be grown in a pot of water, preferably in glass. The stems and roots should be covered at all times with water. If the Papyrus is allowed to dry out it will die. Papyrus can be grown in soil but it will have to watered daily and a saucer should be placed under the planter. Papyrus thrives in direct sunlight so take extra care to make sure the water does not evaporate. High temperatures will help the plant grow quickly but you will need to move it indoors from fall to late spring.

During the winter season you can use the same plants to turn a spare room or den into an exotic escape, while improving your indoor air quality. A book called "The Subtropical Garden", written by Jaqueline Walker will help you learn about tropical and exotic looking plants, how to choose the right one, care and cultivation, and also provides decorating tips and a list of suppliers. There are lots of other books that can help too, just stop by your public library to check them out. With a little bit of money and some time spent on research, you can create a long lasting tropical oasis right in your own backyard.