Subtropical Planting

Living in a subtropical climate makes a variety of breathtaking flora available to even the novice gardener. These climate regions tend to experience humid, hot summers with warm, damp winters, which makes year-round growing possible. You can create your own subtropical garden that will be your favorite place to enjoy a cup of morning tea for years to come.

The soil conditions in a subtropical climate differ from the quality of soil from other regions, in that it usually contains more nutrients and organic matter in the forms of decaying plant materials and worm castings. This is normally referred to as humus, which is the darker, black moist earth that is just beneath the surface of the ground. In other regions that have a subtropical climate, the soil may be hard, dry and high in alkalinity. This is ordinarily remedied by digging deeper into the more nutrient rich soil that is found beneath the surface, and by using a tiller to turn the earth.

When it comes to choosing the perfect plants to incorporate in your subtropical garden, it's all about the vivid colors and deep emerald shades of green. The great thing about subtropical plants, is that the nourishment from their soil enables them to take on vibrant tones, making many of the choices seem exotic. A popular, and colorful, flower to plant in this climate is Aeschynanthus sp., or lipstick plant. This bold, red flowering vine is simply stunning and is easy to maintain. For more arid supbtropical climates, citrus trees thrive in the soil conditions and lengthy exposure to the sun's rays.

In addition to having the appropriate plants for your garden, you need to be able to accessorize it properly as well. Creating your own Zen-like garden with a fountain wrapped in green vines in the center of the subtropical vegetation is a great idea. Providing places to sit can bring comfort to your garden, and it can be inviting to guests who want to enjoy your beautiful landscaping as well.