TROPICAL PLANTS
I remember when I first came to Hilton Head Island, I was fascinated by all of the Palm trees. Tropical plants and gardens have always appealed to me, and here in the lowcountry, there is a welcoming environment. According to the USDA plant hardiness zone map, we are considered subtropical. We are located in zone 8, (8a for coastal and 8b inland). Unlike in tropical regions, the majority of this plant palette will go dormant during the winter months. They also may be slow to return, especially after cold winters. That said, there is something so inviting and visually appealing about the tropical garden. I love the lushness, the textures, and the vibrancy of color in this paradise. These gardens seem at home in a pool setting, or a contemporary home. The theme can also be used as an accent to a more formal setting or simply used in pots. The relentless heat and humidity of August can wreak havoc on many plants, however, it truly showcases this type of garden. This month I welcome you to explore the beauty, the warmth, and sultriness in this Garden of Eden.
PALMS: This is the quintessential plant that simply says tropical.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer
Resistant |
Description |
| Chinese Fan Palm
Livistona chinensis |
15-25’ | 8-11 | yes | I have used this as a hedge and is a great palm for the shade. |
| European Fan Palm
Chamaerops humilis |
10-15’ | 8-11 | yes | Loves full sun, super tough and great in a pot. |
| Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta |
6-12’ | 8-11 | yes | Great as an accent or focal point. |
| Lady Palm
Rhapsis excelsa |
8-12’ | 8-11 | yes | Excellent in the shade, slow growing, great in a pot. |
| Pindo Palm
Butia capitata |
15-20’ | 8-11 | yes | Graceful with its arching fronds. |
| Sabal Palm
Sabal palmetto |
Up to 60’ | 7-11 | yes | South Carolina state tree. |
| Canary Island Date Palm
Phoenix canariensis |
30-60’ | 8b-11 | yes | Focal point and very dramatic. |
| Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei |
15-25’ | 8-11 | yes | These are great when a smaller Palm tree is wanted. Will do great in a pot. |
| Coontie Palm
Zamia pumila |
2-3’ | 8-11 | yes | I love these “ferny” low growing palms. |
FERNS: Ferns provide a fabulous texture that pairs well with the large foliage of many of the tropical foliage.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer Resistant | Description |
| Australian Tree Fern
Cyathea cooperi |
7-15’ | 8-11 | yes | Great accent! |
| Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora |
18-24” | 5-8 | yes | My favorite dependable evergreen fern. |
| Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum |
2-3’ | 8-10 | no | Dark green and glossy. |
| Kimberly Queen
Nephrolepsis obliterata |
2’ | 8-11 | yes | Great in pots, it will spread quickly in the ground. |
| Boston Fern
Nephrolepsis exaltata |
2-3’ | 8-11 | yes | This is the hanging basket fern. Be careful if planted in the ground. It will spread rapidly. |
| Foxtail Fern
Asparagus meyerii |
2-3’ | 9-11 | no | Great texture and lime green color. |
Shrubs: Shrubs provide the backbone and foundation of your tropical paradise.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer
Resistant |
Description |
| Mirror-Leaf Viburnum
Viburnum awabuki |
6-12’ | 8-11 | yes | My favorite Viburnum with its dark green, glossy and large leaf. |
| Sweet Viburnum
Viburnum odoratissimum |
10-20’ | 8-11 | yes | Excellent hedge and screening. Will stay full to the ground. |
| Split-leaf Philodendron
Philodendron selloum |
4-8’ | 8-11 | yes | Very large leaf and very tropical looking. |
| Banana
Musa |
6-20’ | 8-11 | yes | Next to palms, this plant says tropics. There are many varieties to choose, some hardier than others. |
| Oleander
Nerium oleander |
8-12 | 8-11 | yes | Requires full sun to produce the best flowers. |
| Pineapple Guava
Acca sellowiana |
8-12’ | 7-11 | yes | Gray foliage with smaller reddish flowers. |
| Bottlebrush
Callisetemon viminalis |
6-15’ | 8-11 | yes | Full sun is needed and ample room is needed to produce the unique red flowers. |
| Fatsia
Fatsia japonica |
5-7’ | 8-10 | no | Large and dark glossy green leaf plant. |
PERENNIALS: These are the dependable and reliable plants that will return each year.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer
Resistant |
Description |
| Gingers
Alpinia, Hedychium, Kaempferia, Globba, Curcuma |
2-8’ | 8-11 | Yes | This is a large and quite underutilized group of plants. These are a great substitute for hostas here in the south. |
| Canna Lily
Canna |
3-4’ | 7-11 | No | Aside from the striking flowers in numerous colors, I love the broad foliage of these plants. |
| Elephant Ears
Alocasia, Colocasia, Xanthosoma |
2-8’ | 8-11 | Yes | Another favorite here and many varieties to choose from. |
| Hisbiscus
Hibiscus |
2-10’ | 5-10 | No | This is quite a large family and the hardiness varies. |
| Purple Heart
Setcreasea |
15-18” | 7-11 | No | Great purple leafed ground cover type plant. |
| Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia |
3-15’ | 9-11 | Yes | There are two to choose from. The white form which is taller and the orange. |
| Angel Trumpet
Brugmansia, Datura |
8-15’ | 9-11 | Yes | Exotic and showy, these will do great in a pot. |
SEASONAL COLOR: These plants add punch and color. They easily hold up in our heat and provide constant color throughout the growing season.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer
Resistant |
Description |
| Begonia
Begonia |
12-30” | 9-11 | No | Dragonwings are easy to grow and often times will come back in a mild winter. |
| Copper Plant
Acalpha wilkesiana |
3-10’ | 10-11 | Yes | Multicolored and quite dependable. |
| Croton
Codieum |
3-6’ | 10-11 | No | Very tough and great in pots. |
| Impatiens
Impatiens |
8-12” | 10-11 | No | We all love these non stop bloomers. |
| Ixora
Ixora |
3-4’ | 10-11 | No | Loves full sun and will bloom all season. |
| Oyster Plant/ Rhoeo
Tradescantia |
8-12” | 9-11 | Yes | Great massed as an edge. |
| Ti Plant
Cordyline ‘Red Sister’ |
3-4’ | 9-11 | No | Excellent shade plant and very colorful. |
| Persian Shield
Strobilanthes |
4-5’ | 8-11 | No | Purple and iridescent, striking in the shade. |
| Caladium
Caladium |
8-16” | 8-10 | Yes | These love moisture. |
| Crossandra
Crossandra |
1-3’ | 9-11 | Yes | Continuous bloomer, will perform in sun or shade. |
GROUNDCOVERS: The lushness of the tropical garden is not complete without the use of a groundcover. Many others can be used, below are simply my favorites.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer
Resistant |
Description |
| Asiatic Jasmine
Trachelospermum asiaticum |
6-12” | 7-9 | No | Fast coverage, small glossy green leaves. |
| Algerian Ivy
Hedera canariensis |
8-10” | 5-9 | No | Large leafed ivy |
| Cast Iron
Aspidistra elatior |
2-3’ | 7-11 | No | Sword shaped leaves, very tough, also good in pots. |
| Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas |
8-11 | No | Rampant growth, great for the colors available. |
FLOWERING VINES: Add vines to cover a wall, or in a pot with support, or even allowed to climb a trunk of a tree.
| Common Name
Botanical Name |
Habit | Zone | Deer
Resistant |
Description |
| Blue Sky Vine
Thunbergia grandiflora |
20-30’ | 8-11 | Yes | Gorgeous large blue flowers bloom late in the season. |
| Mandevilla
Mandevilla |
3-8’ | 10-11 | Yes | Great smaller accent vine. |
| Butterfly Pea Vine
Mascagnia macroptera |
8-12’ | 8-11 | Yes | Foliage stays evergreen and the distinct yellow flowers bloom all season. |
| Passion Vine
Passiflora |
15-20’ | 7-11 | Yes | Very tropical looking |
| Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea |
9-11 | Yes | Thrives in full sun and with neglect. |
BRING THE INSIDE OUT: These are great to add on a table, at an entry, or scattered throughout the garden.
| Common Name | Zone | Deer Issue | Description |
| Orchids | 10-11 | No | Orchids are surprisingly tough. Over watering is usually their nemesis. |
| Bromeliads | 10-11 | No | These are my new favorites this year. Incredibly tough and low maintenance. |
| Pothos | 10-11 | No | Great in pots to cascade and add a punch of color. |
| Draceana | 10-11 | No | I use the Lemon Lime variety over an over again for its great color in a very dark and dry space. |