Make your garden exotic

5:31pm Wednesday 23rd July 2003

THE earth's changing global climatic conditions may be cause for concern on a ecological basis – but with average temperatures rising throughout the year British gardeners are now able to grow more exotic and unusual plants than ever before.

Exotic planting certainly adds a real "wow factor" as well as making a bold statement in any garden.

Large architectural foliage provides great form and texture and makes a creative and artistic change from the usual flower borders we're used to.

Hardy bananas are becoming common in our local garden centres. They have great paddle-shaped leaves which in the right conditions can grow up to ten feet long. In summer this plant produces pale yellow or cream flowers but the fruit formed is unpalatable.

During the winter months the banana will need to be potted up and given shelter or wrapped up with straw for protection against frost.

Another very interesting shrub or small tree is the eriobotrya japonica, or loquat, with its large leathery, prominently veined dark green leaves. This shrub produces fragrant white autumn flowers that are followed by orange-yellow fruits. Grow this attractive shrub in sheltered sunny position against a wall.

Ever fancied a palm tree to remind you of warm summer holidays in hotter climates? Then how about one of the hardest palms such as the trachycarpus fortunei? This palm has fabulous rounded heads of fan-shaped, multi-fingered evergreen leaves and looks absolutely terrific.

For a truly exotic large flower with a real heady night-time scent try growing a burgmansia, or angles' trumpets, which used to be known as datura. My father has fallen in love with this shrub and has quite a collection in various colours including white, yellow and a pale apricot.

The burgmansia can easily grow more than six feet tall and produce a large number of pendent trumpet-shaped flowers. Like the banana this has to be brought into a conservatory or greenhouse for the winter months.

Please do be aware that that all parts of this shrub are highly toxic if ingested.

Bold spikes are definite characteristics of plants coming from a dry climate as the leaves have evolved to retain moisture in the plants.

Agaves and aloes have distinctive rosette formations of rigid fleshy pointed foliage and look truly stunning in decorative terracotta pots. If you don't fancy a whole tropical exotic garden then you can have a go at just growing a few exotic plants to place around your garden as specimen plants or simply to add interest and to create an attractive focal point.

For more hints and tips you can visit Judy's website at www.gardendesigner.co.uk