Trees for tropical gardens in cooler regions

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Creating a tropical looking garden in cooler climates may seem like a difficult task. There can be a fine line between which plants thrive, just survive or die. This could not be truer when it comes to trees for topical gardens.

Trees take much longer to establish the larger they become and more challenging to keep sheltered from extreme weather events. ​

However, many cooler regions of the world successfully manage to establish exotic trees.

This is especially so in well designed microclimates particularly within urban areas. Consequently, here I will list 10 trees suitable for tropical gardens within cooler regions. Some of these are much more resilient to cold than others but can thrive in cold countries. I will provide some idea of their hardiness in each paragraph below. 

​Indian bean tree

Also know by its Latin name ‘Catalpa Bignonioides’ the Indian bean tree is extremely cold hardy. It is deceivingly not from India at all, but the southern United States!

This tree can amazingly take winter temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees! It is well known for it’s large, heart shaped leaves and clusters of scented white flowers. During summer it produces long bean ponds making it look very exotic.

​This tree looks its best when coppiced or pollarded. When pruned this way its branches become straighter and leave even larger and tropical looking. 
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​Fig

​Originating from the Middle East ‘Ficus Carica’ is a small tree with exotic looking lobed leaves. These trees are also highly sought after for their delicious fruit and ability to train or prune into any shape.

Although figs desire a warm climate they are completely happy growing in cold regions. I have fig trees in my UK garden which recently survived a night at minus 14 degrees. When grown around patios their tropical leaves really make you feel you are in another country.

​Figs also give off an interesting smell which gives the garden an exotic feel. 
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​Chinese windmill palm

​Chinese windmill palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) is the king when it comes to tropical looking trees in cold climates. This large fan palm can reach impressive sizes in countries you simply would not think possible.

Hardy to minus 15 degrees this palm is more than happy growing in a sheltered sunny position. Originally from Central China and India it can really add a dramatic impact to any tropical garden.

​Its large, fan shaped leaves rustle in the breeze and can create impressive silhouettes against bright blue skies.  
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​Japanese banana 

Scientifically known as Musa Basjoo the Japanese Banana can add a real novelty to tropical gardens. As the hardiest of all Banana palms it really can have a dramatic effect in cooler climates.

The art to being successful growing this palm is by getting it established within the ground. You will really need a south facing wall in a sheltered and sunny area. This Banana will require some winter protection to protect its stems in the winter.

​This is best done using wooden pallets and a dense packing of straw. The top of the protective structure can then be lined with plastic. 
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​Tree fern

Tree ferns really give a prehistoric look to tropical gardens and for good reason! Many of the tree ferns around today descended from an ancestor which grew 400 million years ago.

Most ferns on the market today originate from the cool forests New Zealand. This means they are used to cold temperatures and hardy down to around minus 5.

​Like the Japanese Banana it is recommended to give them winter protection. Tree ferns are very slow growing making them rather expensive to risk losing.
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​New Zealand cabbage tree

New Zealand Cabbage Tree or ‘Cordyline australis’ is a tall, Yucca like, tree which really brings excitement to tropical garden planting. These palm like trees have long sword like leaves which rustle in the wind.

​During hot summers they will produce clusters of spray like white blooms. Their architectural form is really perfect for creating a jungle like feel. This tree is generally hardy to minus 5 degrees so try to plant it a sheltered sunny spot. 
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​Foxglove tree

​Also known by its Latin name ‘Paulownia tomentosa’ the Foxglove tree can provide some real novelty for tropical gardens. One of its best attributes is its large, heart shaped leaves which really provide an exotic feel.

During early summer it produces masses of purple trumpet shaped flowers. Although this tree is hardy to minus 10, you may find in colder climates it may not flower.

​However like the bean tree it is more valued for its large leaves in tropical gardens. Foxglove tree will also grow larger leaves if an established tree is cut back well or coppiced.  
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​Magnolia 

Magnolias are exceptionally beautiful trees with large glossy leaves and a compact growing habit. These trees are at their most splendid during flowering when they erupt in large tropical looking flowers.

They are more than capable of thriving in the more colder climates of the UK and North America. Magnolias can inject some much needed seasonal change to tropical gardens in cooler climates.

​They do lose their leaves in autumn however their seasonal drama deserves them a place within cool weather jungles! 
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​Canary island date palm

​The Canary Island Date Palm or ‘Phoenix canariensis’ really can give a taste of the tropics to cooler climates. This remarkable palm has a broad triangular shaped truck and large feather like foliage.

These trees can eventually achieve a height of 18 metres tall. However they are unlikely to achieve this in cold climates. The date palm is hardy down to minus 5 and must have a sheltered and sunny site.

​I have personally seen huge specimens growing in the front gardens of Exeter road, Rayners lane, Harrow, London, UK. 
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​Gingko 

‘Gingko Biloba’ are beautiful trees with fan shaped leaves which turn bright yellow in autumn. This tree can be traced back to prehistoric times and can add season drama to tropical gardens.

Although Gingko is not normally associated with tropical planting their unusual foliage provide them an 'exotic look. This tree is hardy and capable of growing well in most temperate climates.

​This unique tree will certainly add some additional interest and seasonal colour to cold weather tropical gardens.
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Thank you for reading our article on trees for tropical gardens in cold climates. I will link to some of our other tropical garden articles you may like below. 

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