Question
I am from Puerto Rico but I live in NJ.  I like to grow tropical plants in my garden.  Can you tell me the names of the plants you grow?

Answer
Hi Tere,

I grow many plants. Tropical plantings in the north have really become popular in recent years. There's nothing like having your own tropical oasis in your back yard. Additionally, people are beginning to realize that with a little extra protection and with proper siting they are able to grow plants that were previously considered to be tender in northern locales.

There are five keys to success with tropicals; sun, heat, rich soil, plenty of water, and a warm microclimate. That means locate your garden in the warmest possible area of your yard. This is usually up against the south wall of your house or a protected courtyard. Your soil should be enriched with compost, composted manure or similar organic matter. Do not use fresh manure. Supplemental fertilizing on a regular basis througout the growing season will promote rapid and lush growth especially if the summer is a hot one.

In order to obtain the lush tropical/jungle type look you need to plant thickly. A plant here and a plant there will will not achieve this look. Also stay away from mixing your hollyhocks and daisys with your bananas and palms. It will upset the continuity of your planting. Look for plants that are bold and colorful. I have given you a partial list of some plants you might like to start with. Some good mailorder resources are, Plant Delights (www.plantdelights.com), Brent & Becky's Bulbs (www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com) and also don't overlook Ebay for many exotic items at reasonable prices. Just be sure to check the sellers feedback before you bid.

Bananas: In a hot wet summer bananas can grow upwards of 10 feet by September. You can't have a tropical garden without them. the latin name for banana is MUSA. Look for Musa Basjoo. This is a hardy banana (with a deep mulch) that will return year after year and multiply. Also look for Musa zebrina. While not hardy, this banana has beautiful dark green and maroon leaves that will stand out in your garden.

Elephant ears: Elephant ears include the genus alocasia, colocasia and xanthosma. Again, these are grown for their bold foliage and tropical characteristics. The newer hybrid come in shades of maroon, deep green, and lime green with all shades in between. Your basic elephant ears (colocasia esculenta) is usually available as bulbs at most garden centers in the spring.These are not considered hardy and are best replanted each spring although in mild winters with a deep mulch I have had them return the following spring.

Palms: Yes, you can grow palms in NJ. The hardiest palm (and unfortunately the slowest growing) is the needle palm. You will likely find only small plants via mailorder. It is a short shrubby palm. This palm generally requires no protection during an average NJ winter at the shore. The other palm you can grow (with winter protection) is the chinese windmill palm, sometimes called by its latin name of TRACHYCARPUS. This is fairly fast growing trunked palm with large fan shaped leaves. You will WOW your friends and neighbors with this one, especially as the tree gets larger and becomes a prominent focal point. They look stunning when lighted from below with landscape lighting. Again, you will likely only find these mailorder but there was a nursery in Monmouth county that was carrying large ones ($100) last year.

Gingers: Look for Hydechiums which are hardy with a mulch.They are grown from rhizomes that are best started indoors to get a head start. They grow tall and lush and have the added advantage of spectactular flowers and intense fragrance. Grow these.

Cannas: Again, these are hardy with a mulch. New hybrids are awesome with their brilliant foliage and flowers. Plant these in small groups as opposed to here and there.

Glory Bush: Also known as Tibochina. While not hardy, I am seeing these more and more in garden centers. They form shrubs a couple of feet high with glorious purple blooms in mid summer. You can treat them as annuals and buy new ones each year or bring indoors for the winter.

Oleander: Large oleander are avaliable at many garden centers at the shore. These are not hardy and again can be brought indoors if you would like. Their large fragrant clusters of pink, white and red blooms are heavenly. Keep in mind these are highly toxic if eaten.

Brugmansia: Large fast growing treelike plants with huge dangling bells of fragrant blooms in shades of white, pink, yellow and orange. While not hardy, it is easy to take stem cuttings in the fall (they root in water) so you'll have even more the following spring. These are great in the night garden when their fragrance is most intense.

Misc.: As you peruse your garden and home centers this spring look for filler plants like lantana, helichrysum, and colorful coleus. Don't overlook the houseplant section. Baskets of the common wandering jew ,spider plants and philodendron can be tranplanted directly into the ground and will make for a luxurious inexpensive groundcover. Pick up a colorful croton or two and bury the entire pot in the soil in your garden. In the fall bring them indoors. Use you imagination and be creative.

Two books you might like on the topic of tropical gardening in northern climates are: The Exotic Garden by Richard Iverson and Hot Plants for Cool Climates by Dennis Schrader.

I hope this information was of help to you.

Regards,

Vito