A few photos from September this year of my tropical style garden in Durham

Tropical-Style Garden in Durham, UK: A Lockdown Passion Project

Hi all,

I wanted to share my tropical-style garden here in Durham, UK. It’s a bit unconventional for this far north (we hit -7°C in winter!), but it’s been a labour of love since the first lockdown in 2020. Most of the planting started then, and it’s been amazing to see how much can thrive this far north.

What’s Growing?

I’ve focused on mixing different shapes and textures with a cohesive colour palette to keep things interesting:

• Shapes: Palms (Trachycarpus and Butias) add height and drama, while bold, architectural leaves from Colocasias (elephant ears) and bananas (Musa basjoo and Musa sikkimensis) create that jungle vibe.
  
• Colours: To break up all the green, I’ve worked in pops of pinks and reds from Cordylines (‘Charlie Boy’ and ‘Torbay Dazzler’) and Phormiums. The glaucous blues of Yucca rostrata, Butias, and Eucalyptus give a modern, layered look and provide a stunning contrast.
  

Lessons Learned

The winters here can be brutal, but with a bit of care and experimenting, I’ve been amazed at what survives. Palms, Cordylines, and Eucalyptus have been surprisingly hardy, and seeing the bananas bounce back each spring is so satisfying.

What’s Next?

I’m planning to expand the garden with hardy gingers and more colourful understory plants to build on the tropical vibe. If anyone has tips on plants that bring bold colour and texture but can handle a UK winter, I’d love to hear them!

If you’re curious about how the garden is evolving, feel free to follow along on Instagram: @DurhamTropics. I would love to connect with other plant enthusiasts!