Travel to the Tropics in Your Backyard

Do you wish you could get away for awhile but don’t want to spend a fortune on a tropical vacation? Well, with a little creativity and some unusual plants that we carry at Fairview, you can create your own tropical paradise right in your backyard! Many of the plants that you see in magazines or growing in tropical places can be grown right here in North Carolina during the spring and summer months. And even better, a lot of these plants are very adaptable to our wide range of soils and weather patterns. The key to any garden is to make sure the plants you want can thrive with the amount of sunlight you have. Whether you have full shade or full, hot sun, there are plenty of options for any gardener.

Water Features and Furniture
What better way to feel like you are visiting a tropical getaway than having a beautiful water feature in your backyard? Whether you build an in ground water garden or just place a small ceramic fountain in the landscape, adding the element of sound can create a relaxing feel to your area. You can also add rocks, slate, or stepping stones to your garden to give it a natural, rugged feel. In addition, what garden would be complete without a place to sit back and relax? Whether you have a small table with chairs on your patio or a ten piece furniture ensemble, it’s important to also include some small areas with benches throughout your garden so you can walk around and enjoy the areas you create.

Plants, Plants and More Plants!
After deciding where you want to put your garden and how much light you have, then the real fun begins: it’s time to decide what plants to put into your landscape! Below you will find some of Fairview’s favorite tropical plants, both annual and perennial.

Variegated Tapioca Plant
With it’s vivid chartreuse yellow on green (pictured right) and red foliage, this very fast grower prefers moist soil and part to full sun. It can easily grow to five feet high, so when using this plant make sure to allow room for it to grow. Fertilize weekly.

Banana Tree
Most banana tree species in North Carolina are annual with the exception of ‘Basjoo.’ Here at Fairview we carry ‘Basjoo,’ It is a very fast growing banana that can easily reach 15’ tall in a couple years (pictured left). Treat it as a tender perennial and make sure to mulch well in the winter. They prefer very moist soil and full sun. Fertilize weekly. This banana tree has a habit of spreading at least 10’ all the way around the mother plant.

Ensete Maurelli
Although this plant (pictured right) is considered a banana tree, it does not flower or bear fruit like other banana trees. It doesn’t get as tall as most bananas, either; it grows to a max of eight feet tall and doesn’t spread very much (the spread of the individual plant may get to five feet wide). Give Ensete plenty of moisture and full to part sun. Fertilize Weekly. Also is great in containers.

|>>CONTINUE