TROPICAL LANDSCAPE ALTERNATIVES
Tropical landscape is a very popular garden and lawn theme for California home owners. But with water restrictions, it seems improbable to have a tropical parade in your yard or community. However, there are plenty of drought-tolerant plants that have the same characteristics as many tropical plants. They can be especially attractive when they are mixed together with the right type and size of boulders and paving, creating a lovely and distinctive drought-tolerant “tropical” paradise.
The following drought-tolerant plants all have bright colors, interesting shapes and originate from tropical zones. Carefully planted the in the right location, and with landscape boulders and pebble as background, these plants alone or together will achieve tropical wow factors.
Abelia x grandifolia / Glossy abelia
Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum / Wax Begonia
Echium candicans /Pride of Maderia
Ginkgo biloba / Ginkgo
Iris douglasiana / Douglas Iris
Koelreuteria paniculata / Golden Raintree
Lagerstroemia indica /Crape myrtle
Lantana hybrids / Lantana
Pittosporum /Pittosporum species
Nandina domestica/Heavenly bamboo
Nerium oleander/Oleander
Osteospermum fruticosum /African Daisy
Verbena bipinnatifida /Verbena
BIG LEAF LOVERS
For lovers of big leafs, tropical gardens need to have plants with oversize leafs. Unfortunately, a big leaf means more water. However, by putting plants in containers, irrigation will be more efficient and it will help the plants health and growth because they are elevated by pot.
Leading Entitlement Projects Forward
Landscape Techniques for Water Conservation – (II)
TROPICAL LANDSCAPE ALTERNATIVES
Tropical landscape is a very popular garden and lawn theme for California home owners. But with water restrictions, it seems improbable to have a tropical parade in your yard or community. However, there are plenty of drought-tolerant plants that have the same characteristics as many tropical plants. They can be especially attractive when they are mixed together with the right type and size of boulders and paving, creating a lovely and distinctive drought-tolerant “tropical” paradise.
The following drought-tolerant plants all have bright colors, interesting shapes and originate from tropical zones. Carefully planted the in the right location, and with landscape boulders and pebble as background, these plants alone or together will achieve tropical wow factors.
Abelia x grandifolia / Glossy abelia
Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum / Wax Begonia
Echium candicans /Pride of Maderia
Ginkgo biloba / Ginkgo
Iris douglasiana / Douglas Iris
Koelreuteria paniculata / Golden Raintree
Lagerstroemia indica /Crape myrtle
Lantana hybrids / Lantana
Pittosporum /Pittosporum species
Nandina domestica/Heavenly bamboo
Nerium oleander/Oleander
Osteospermum fruticosum /African Daisy
Verbena bipinnatifida /Verbena
BIG LEAF LOVERS
For lovers of big leafs, tropical gardens need to have plants with oversize leafs. Unfortunately, a big leaf means more water. However, by putting plants in containers, irrigation will be more efficient and it will help the plants health and growth because they are elevated by pot.