Today’s video is a chat about one of my spring projects this year (I do occasionally do gardening between videos!) – an exciting green oak decking hard landscaping area, a new small greenhouse, a narrow tropical style garden border and some exciting exotic Mediterranean planting with palms etc. I thought it may be interesting to go through my plans, the thinking behind different decisions and plant choices etc. This will hopefully be something to look back on during progress videos later in the year and beyond!
0:00 Intro
1:04 George’s Jungle Garden Spring Project 1 – Decking & Exotic Plants
2:08 New Small Tropical Greenhouse Update
3:34 Green Oak Timber Decking & Small Seating Area Plans
5:19 Phoenix & Butia Palms plus Exotic Mediterranean Planting Ideas
14:32 Small & narrow tropical garden border ideas
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Thanks,
George
37 Comments
A banana would fit next to the fence George.
Always interesting to see a garden evolve, can’t wait to see it all come together. You might need to put fairly drought tolerant plants behind the greenhouse as it may have a bit of a rain shadow effect and the heat from the greenhouse. I have found this where I have a greenhouse close to a fence although the bottom of the fence has a low wall here which may absorb some of the moisture.
Better to have a smaller greenhouse George
More plants 😀
I have better weather, it is raining and with the cost of water in Houston, it is great to get some free water.
I look forward to your trachycarpus strip show.
Do you know there are other varieties of trachycarpus that have bare trunks, such as T. Manipur, oerophilius?
The greenhouse would be a good addition to your garden. Nothing like sitting in there amongst tender exotics , feeling the first warmth of the early spring sun
Hi George its going to look great whats the plant you mention at 1.24 in amongst the other weeds please?
i Love The Fact That You will Use Cordylines , I Know Some People Are A Bit Snobby About Them But I Think They Are Great , Structural And Fast Growing Evan From Seed !
Another informative and entertaining video, George. You always make me envious having your palms outside as the majority of mine ( apart from Trachycarpus, Chaemerops) are still in the greenhouses or conservatory. With sleet and snow showers this afternoon, it will be a few more weeks until they are released into the Edinburgh summer. Regarding Butia, you're correct, as they are not as hardy as some people suggest. I had two for several years but a bad winter killed them so I will not risk my new one outside in the winter.
Great video really want some Borinda papyrifera also where did you get yours from as seem rare online
George I'm sure you have said before but exactly how big is your garden? It looks huge!!! And I've just painted my fence panels black – they look lovely 😉
Behind the new greenhouse I think I'd be tempted to paint some tropical looking plants on the fence and just plant "mind your own business", aka "babies tears", it will strangle any weeds.
I don't mean to be negative. But I really wouldn't place the Butia next to the CIDP. The stripped trunk Trachy, yes. I just think the CIDP will completely take over that area anyway and the beautiful Butia will be kinda lost and indeed squashed. Something more compact would differently work.
Very nice beautifull garden. Hope you had a rough talk with your neighbour for chopping the bamboe. You inspire me so much with your garden. Hope mine garden comes a bit close to the beauty of yours greetings from the Netherlands.
I am literally not too far from you, and I got snow on the drive home from work 😮 looks and sounds beautiful at your end at least
Excited to see how it will all come together, would never of even thought to plant up behind the greenhouse, such a great idea
Really enjoyable video. My favourite style of video to see how a garden develops over time and the thought process behind it. The potential Butia spot may look great for 5 years but then it may get extremely congested. But if you want that look then go for it.
If I understand correctly the 30cm wide bed will be right up to the back of the new greenhouse. That doesn't leave much room in the future if you need to get behind it if any glass needs replacing if planted up densely. Pseudopanax could work or climbers like you mentioned. You wouldn't want a growing plant pressing into the glass though. Right let's get the rubbish weather out of the way and bring on summer!
You've messed up my plans again now for the planting …
Ive recently got two phoenix from Morrisons (even if they die they will still look good for spring and summer bedding for the price I paid)
I have a similar corner thats got two fences like where your pheonix is and now i feel like I want to put one of mine there
Do you winter protect yours at all or is it established enough to get through?
Exciting to see you planning a new area of garden. I don’t think you ever arrive with a final design of your garden but instead are always tweaking and evolving it into the perfect paradise and that’s where the real fun is
Thanks for sharing your ideas George, the garden is looking spectacular considering how young it is 👌🏻
You mentioned that corner is quite sheltered, so have you thought about planting a nice Cycas revoluta instead of the Butia? They give a real Mediterranean vibe in my opinion 🌴😁
Hi George great video as always I really look forward to watching them. Can I ask a quick question. I am also thinking of planting a row of cordyline along a boundary fence. Do you know how big the root system gets as I don't want to cause damage to my neighbours property in years to come. Thanks john
Captivating video. May I second David Banner? I know how broad Phoenix canariensis are before getting their trunk.
Really amazed by the beauty and strenght of the Aloe striatula.
Can't wait for the next videos. <3
Did you have to cover the Phoenix? Mine is as yellow as hay this spring, unfortunately. Maybe it's just too windy in my garden?
Hi George great video as usual. Your presentation style is fantastic, as good as any other TV presenter. As far as that Butia that space is not even close to being big enough, it would barely even fit the trunk of a large Butia never mind the fronds. My largest Butia is over 12 foot in diameter so try and imagine that in the space. I like the idea of a cycad in that spot – my recommendation would be C. panzhihuaensis. Alternatively if you wanted to do a palm, my choice would be a grouping of Chamadorea radicalis, small yet exotic looking. Take care.
Fab video. Thanks George 🙂
Great vid and ideas as usual George,cheers mate
Hi mate. It's great to hear the plans. It'll be a really cool palmy place to sit out and chill in when it's all done.
I think your trachycarpus in the corner is a sound move. A real statement piece.
I also think you're right in the text on screen about the placement of the butia. Like you, I agree, there just isn't gonna be enough room to do that silver-leaved butia justice next to the phoenix. Another site would be much better.
I also agree, the large greenhouse (whilst handy) would use up a great south facing seating position. The fact it's gonna be smaller is a blessing.
Reflecting on my own design, when I started cutting up the lawn the first thing I thought about wasn't actually the plants. It was where we could best sit to get most of the little sun we get up here. Similarly you'll have a cool sunny spot to sit and enjoy the palms. It's that combo of sunshine, great seating to enjoy it, palmage and a cold 🍺 that is the essence of an exotic garden experience here. Holiday time in our minds, even if it's a mental trick we play on ourselves, is the number 1 goal.
I really love the phoenix, a beautiful looking palm.
I'll also enjoy the construction of the firepit area. You know I can't wait to see those 2 palms, the jubutia and the vulcano sitting in their places. Top notch stuff buddy. Good luck with the carpentry ahead
Another great video. 👍looking forward to the stripping one 😛🤭🤣
George you are so funny, so excited to fit as many plants in as you can…then standing back and thinking, well actually no 😍🌴
Hi George, ive just finished painting all my decking, sleepers and plinths and fence panels black and ive got to say it certainly does make all my plants pop, well worth the five days in which it took x
👌👌👌👌
Really enjoyed this video George. My thoughts on what to plant behind your greenhouse would be.. nothing. I would use polycarbonate panels so you would only see a blurry outline of the fence and concentrate on what's inside the greenhouse. It would leave just enough space for fence & greenhouse maintenence and possibly somewhere very sheltered to store stuff overwinter.
Hi George, your garden looks amazing mate! Do you think it is possible to achieve an impressive tropical garden in a north east facing space? I've taken a lot of inspiration from your videos but thinking about whether or not I need to reign myself in regarding what's really possible with the amount of sun we get in our small-ish NE facing garden in Surrey.
Sounds good George looking forward to seeing it come together
Looks amazing 👏
Thats a male date palm
What your videos are teaching me is it's OK to move plants around to better make visual displays and plant growth…I'm sure my neighbors think I'm the crazy old lady gardener, but this time next year they'll miss me, cuz I will have disappeared into the jungle…all they will hear is the tropical bird sounds coming from my tiki gardens, exotic music from da Islands and perhaps the drone of a blender whipping up an exotic libation…they'll miss me when I'm gone…heh heh…
Hi , how do you protect your canary Island palm in the winter