How to Create a Tropical Garden in Pennsylvania

Close your eyes and imagine the soft rustle of palm trees, the vibrant colors of the tropics, and the warm embrace of sunshine on your skin; now, imagine all of this encapsulated in your very own home tropical garden! Luckily, this can be more than just wishful thinking; with the right plants and garden design, you, too, can enjoy a tropical garden right here in Pennsylvania. Here’s how!  

 

Designing for a Tropical Garden 

The first step towards a tropical ambiance lies within your garden’s design. Think curved walkways that mimic winding jungle paths, layered plantings that create depth and intrigue, and creative water features dotted throughout your landscape. Let’s get into those and some other design ideas that help you bring the tropics to the Greater Philadelphia area: 

Embrace Curved Pathways:

Instead of straight paths, use curved or meandering pathways to mimic the organic flow of jungle trails. Curved pathways add intrigue and invite exploration, creating a sense of mystery and discovery within your garden.

Add Tropical-Inspired Structures:

Enhance the tropical feel of your garden with structures inspired by island architecture. Install pergolas draped with lush vines, bamboo fences or screens for privacy, and thatched-roof gazebos or tiki huts for relaxation areas. These structures add visual interest and provide shade, creating tropical retreats within your garden.

 

Incorporate Water Features:

Integrate water features such as ponds, streams, or waterfalls to evoke the soothing sounds and cooling effects of tropical bodies of water. Water features not only add a sense of tranquility but also attract wildlife and create focal points within the garden.

Create Layers and Texture:

Mimic the multi-layered structure of tropical forests by incorporating plants of varying heights and textures. Plant taller specimens like palms or bamboo towards the back of borders or clusters to create a backdrop for your garden. Then, layer in mid-sized shrubs and perennials with broad leaves or showy blooms to fill the middle ground. Finally, add low-growing plants or ground covers with interesting foliage patterns to carpet the ground and create visual interest.

 

Choose Tropical-Inspired Plants:

We’ll dig into our favorite tropical plants in the next section, but in general, select plants with bold foliage, vibrant blooms, and eccentric features, like palm trees, banana plants, elephant ears, cannas, and hibiscus.

Use Color and Lighting:

In addition to your colorful plants, use strategic outdoor lighting to highlight key features and create a magical atmosphere. Try using red, yellow, orange, purple, and pink lighting shades to match the palette you’d find in a jungle or on a tropical beach. These lights work well alongside bold plants to bring the tropics to your yard, especially in the evening. 

 

Plants for Creating a Tropical Garden

Don’t be fooled: exotic flowers, gigantic leaves, and lush foliage are well within reach, even here in Pennsylvania! You can grow many tropical plants as annuals, enjoying them outside over the summer and overwinting them inside. You can also grow perennials adapted for Pennsylvania that resemble or are closely related to their southern cousins. Here are some of our top picks for the best tropical plants to grow in our region:

 

• Mandevilla: These stunning tropical vines are cherished for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers and glossy foliage. With captivating blooms in shades of pink, red, and white, mandevillas add exotic elegance to any garden. These vigorous climbers can be trained to climb trellises, arbors, or pergolas, creating a spectacular vertical display of color and texture. Native to South America, they can be grown here as annuals and overwintered indoors. 

 

• Cordyline: This tropical plant has vibrant, sword-shaped leaves that range in color from deep burgundy to rich green with streaks of pink and cream. Their bold foliage makes a striking focal point in a garden bed or a stunning star in a container garden. Native to the South Pacific and Southeast Asia, this Pennsylvania annual makes a tropical statement wherever it’s planted.

 

• Banana Ensete ‘Maurelli’: With its large, broad leaves and vibrant red coloring, this banana cultivar commands attention and creates a focal point wherever it’s planted. While not a true banana tree, Ensete ‘Maurelli’ closely resembles one, with its upright growth habit and lush, tropical foliage, sometimes reaching heights of 6 to 8 feet. Native to East Africa, Ensete ‘Maurelli’ thrives in warm, humid climates, making it a perfect choice for Philadelphia gardens during our summer months. 

• Tender Tropical Perennials: Cannas and elephant ears are great tropical plants that bring an exotic look to Glenside gardens. They’re typically grown as annuals in Pennsylvania, although some species may be grown as tender perennials and can survive the winter outside if given extra insulation or grown in a warm microclimate. If all else fails, they can also be brought inside to overwinter.

 

Maintaining Your Tropical Garden

Now that your garden is bursting with tropical splendor, let’s talk about maintenance. The good news is that keeping a tropical garden looking its best isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Simply follow these three easy tips: 

• Ensure your plants receive adequate water, especially during hot summer months and are planted in well draining soil. 
• Place them in locations that receive the right amount of sunlight—tropical plants love their sunshine! 
• When winter inevitably rolls around again, protect your precious plants from the cold with proper insulation or by bringing them indoors. 

 

Ultimately, the most important part of maintaining your home tropical garden is simply taking the time to enjoy it. Whether you’re hosting a tropical-themed dinner party or simply taking in the sunshine in your garden, make sure to savor every moment. After all, your garden isn’t just a collection of plants—it’s a living, breathing work of art that brings joy and beauty to your life every single day. For more ideas for a home tropical garden in Glenside, take a trip to our local garden center today!