Jewel's top 5 plants for a Tropical Oasis

Jewel (@jewel_in_paradise on Instagram) has transformed her Nelson section into a tropical paradise, but it wasn't always that way!

She shares her top plants to create a lush oasis, and how she made a tropical space in a place that gets cold, wet and frosty in winter. 

top 5 tropical plants

1. Palms

No tropical oasis is complete without palm trees! There's a wide variety available to suit all kinds of different climates, positions and size requirements. Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) are one of the most elegant, Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) do well in cooler climates like Nelson, and Sugar palms (Dypsis baronii) are my favourite for smaller gardens.

2. Hibiscus

It's no secret that I'm mad about Hibiscus! To me, they are the ultimate flower for radiating bright, flamboyant tropical vibes. My favourites are the classic Hawaiian, Fijian and hybrid Rosa Sinesis cultivars which are available in a jaw-dropping rainbow of colours and patterns. They love heat and sun but can also be grown in cooler parts of the country in a warm, sheltered position with good drainage. Hibiscus are also happy in pots for those who live in colder areas so they can easily be moved inside over winter.

3. Bromeliads

We are lucky to have such a huge variety of Bromeliads available here in NZ. Some thrive in full shade, others in full sun, some can handle moderate frosts, while others are best grown in a hot house. When you get the right Bromeliad in the right spot, they look absolutely fantastic all year round and the array of colours to choose from is dazzling. They have a nice, structural form which makes them a great feature in the garden or even in pots, and the epiphyte varieties open up a world of possibilities, so let your imagination run wild. I definitely recommend discussing your bromeliad needs with a knowledgeable nursery or grower so you can be sure to get the best varieties for your situation.

4. Ligularia

Every tropical garden needs something big, green and leafy! Ligularia, often called 'Tractor Seats', are a versatile and surprisingly cold-hardy addition to the garden. Ligularia reniformis is the most common variety, which has large, glossy green leaves. There are also some interesting and rather colourful varieties as well, such as the very striking variegated Ligularia 'Argentea variegata' and the bright spotted 'Leopard'. These make great, lush mid-height fillers and can handle a range of positions in the garden.

5. Bird of Paradise

A beautiful and structural plant with unique flowers which always evokes the tropics for me. Strelitzia reginae are very easy to grow and are another surprisingly cold-hardy plant. They can make a great filler or feature in the garden and are great for cut flowers too.

Other plants in our tropical jungle

Our garden is jam-packed with a huge variety of plants. Some of the other interesting and perhaps surprising things we grow here are: heliconias, gardenia, edible bananas (we've just harvested and eaten our first bunch!), orchids, red pineapples, brugmansia, vireya rhododendrons, Hawaiian ti, alocasia and colocasia, edible and ornamental turmeric, costus, pomegranate, ornamental and edible gingers, Buddha's hand, bougainvillea, dragonfruit, tibouchina, manihot grahamii, passionfruit, silk floss tree, citrus, Bauhinia orchid tree, Persian Shield (yes - outdoors!), philodendrons, justicia, tamarillo, cannas, ferns, lilies and heucheras.

creating the tropics in nelson

Winter is our biggest gardening challenge here in Nelson as the ground can get really cold and wet, and when it's not raining, it's frosty. In my experience, wet feet in winter can be more detrimental to many plants than cold air temperatures. Starting with a blank canvas gave us the opportunity of addressing this before we started planting. I spent some time researching microclimates so we were able to implement some strategies to help influence the conditions here as much as we could.

We started by creating some good shelter, particularly on our south side. We then divided parts of the garden up using strategically placed trees and trellis so we could block wind and create little sheltered pockets to trap heat.

Secondly, we raised all of the garden beds and then mounded the dirt so the water drains away much better when we do get periods of persistent rain.

Using mulch on our garden keeps the plant roots warmer in winter and helps to retain moisture in summer. I also plant everything quite close together so the plants provide shelter and protection for each other in winter, whilst in summer, it keeps the soil shaded to slow down moisture loss. It gets pretty hot and dry in the middle of summer so conserving water is always a consideration.

My top tip for summer garden care is that a well fed garden and healthy plants use much less water!

Discover more of Jewel's piece of paradise here, and follow @jewel_in_paradise on Instagram for more tropical inspiration!