Tree ferns are useful for height and shade in the tropical garden, either Cyathea or Dicksonia. The fast growing in most gardens is the native C. cunninghamii, which attains 3.5m given protection from sun and wind and an acid, moist soil with plenty of humus. C. dealbata, the Silver Fern, has a lovely silvery-white underside to the fronds. It is slow, but will eventually reach 3.0m.
Dicksonia antartica is popular and will move easily, making an 'instant' garden achievable for many. It grows to 4.0m in time. D. squarrosa has lovely arching fronds, grows quite quickly to 2.0-6.0m, although the fronds themselves are scratchy and harsh. Most tree ferns look best when planted in a group, and this also helps them to build a suitable microclimate.
Vireya rhododendrons are also great plants for the middle level of the tropical garden, enjoying the light shade under canopy trees and flowering over a long period. Needing humid moist conditions, vireyas prefer a position away from direct, hot sunlight, and planting in a foliage garden, under a tree canopy, is ideal. The many different cultivars and hues available means that we are spoilt for choice.
One of the mainstays of the tropical garden are bromeliads. Vrieseas are striking foliage plants that need a well-drained soil, similar to an orchid mix, shade and moisture. Vriesea hieroglyphica rubra is one of the most striking. Essentially clump forming, this can mean that your garden is all about your feet and there is little interest at eye level. This garden has overcome this by using pots and by tying bromeliads to pongas, not only lifting them to eye level but also giving them exactly the conditions they so enjoy.
Another New Zealand native plant that enjoys being at eye level in a host plant is Collospermum hastatum, related to the familiar Astelia. It is epiphytic and the beautiful, long flower racemes are best appreciated when the plant is grown above the ground as here.
Plant Clivia miniata for the glossy strap like leaves and soft-orange flowers over the winter, it is great under trees and will create good contrasts with the bromeliads. Arthropodium cirratum, the renga renga lily is another shade loving plant that will grow right up to the tree trunk, tolerating wet and dry positions as long as it is in the shade. It has broad, mid-green strap leaves and sprays of dainty white flowers in early summer.
For climbers we should turn first to the most special and lovely native climber, Tecomnathe speciosa. Rescued from extinction on Great Island in the Three Kings Islands, Tecomanthe has responded well to cultivation and the clusters of creamy, waxy bells are to be found in many warmer gardens.
Other climbers that are worth trying, and which fit into the tropical foliage garden includes Lapageria rosea from Chile with red bell-flowers throughout the summer and into winter. Give it a cool root-run near a tree and let it scramble.
For a final splash of colour in our scheme, who could resist the Gloriosa lily, Gloriosa supberba 'Rothschildiana', with recurved petals in red and yellow. It needs hot sun, so plant on the edge of your shade scheme, or near the terrace where it can happily scramble through a shrub or trellis.
So why not make a break from traditional garden styles and celebrate our diversity and our wonderful climate with a Tropical Foliage Garden!
