Cold Hardy Tropicals

A dramatic, tropical-looking grass can make a great accent or mass planting in your garden. Arundo donax (Giant reed) : Zone 6-10 Arundo donax ‘Variegata’ (Variegated giant reed) : Zone 6-10 Carex muskingumensis (Palm sedge) : Zone 4-9 Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern sea oats) : Zone 4-8 Erianthus ravennae (Plume grass, Hardy pampas grass) : 5-9 [...]

Adding a backdrop of climbing vines will give your garden a lush, tropical rainforest look. Actinidia kolomikta ‘Arctic Beauty’ (Hardy kiwi vine) : Zone 4-8 Akebia quinata (Chocolate vine) : Zone 4-9 Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman’s pipe) : Zone 4-8 Bignonia capreolata : Zone 6-9 Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) : Zone 5-9 Clematis x hybrida (Clematis): [...]

Cold-hardy ferns, especially the larger varieties, can add a tropical look to your garden. Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair fern) : Zone 2-8 Athyrium filix-femina (Lady fern) : Zone 2-9 Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) : Zone 5-8 Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hayscented fern) : Zone 3-8 Dryopteris filix-mas (Male fern) : Zone 4-8 Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich fern) : [...]

These tropical-looking perennials are excellent for filling in your tropicalesque garden with low-maintenance areas. Aspidistra elatior (Cast-iron plant) : Zone 6-10 Belamcanda chinensis (Blackberry lily, Leopard flower) : Zone 5-11 Bergenia cordifolia (Heartleaf bergenia) : Zone 3-8 Crocosmia (Montbretia) : Zone 6-10 Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ (Purple Pineapple Lily) : Zone 6-9 Euphorbia epithymoides (Cushion spurge) [...]