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Tropicalesque Gardens

Need suggestions for north side of house, please.

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Limited sunlight, can be a bit more chilly than the south side of course. I planted these a few years ago, and interestingly, 1 died, while the other's unaffected. I'd like something more showy, with flowers, than what's currently there. I'm not sure of the name of the plant that is there now.

Thanks,

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Comments (4)

Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)
7 years ago
Where are you located? Plant suggestions would vary greatly if you're located in Los Angeles as opposed to say New Hampshire.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
And how large is that area on the left? How "tropicalesque" do you want these plants to be? (the ones currently present don't convey much of a tropical sensibility :-))
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newergen
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for your responses. I'm in Bakersfield, CA, zone 9. Lows in the winter usually hover around the 40s, though can dip into the 30s at times. Summer is hot, upper 90s and low 100s. Just behind that wall is a lily pond, with bananas and bamboos. The backyard has a few tropical fruit trees. All in all, they do OK, I get fruits from them every year, not an abundant amount, though. The space on the left of the gate, is about 3' x 3'.
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Josue (Zone 9b, Central, inland California)
7 years ago
Cool! I'm in Fresno, just north of you. The problem I always have with growing tropicalesque plants in our hot climate is that most tropical plants need a lot of water to look good. I have had success on the north side of the house with white Bird of Paradise and Camellia. The Bird of Paradise does tend to reach out as it's growing in mostly shade so it would likely outgrow the 3x3 space you have there. If you don't mind hitting the leaves on your way through that gate, this would be a cool tropical accent. You might also try brugmansia (if you're willing to give it all the water it needs to look good). I have mine on the north side of the house and it does ok, as I don't always water it enough. During the summer, it will abort most of it's flowers because of the heat, but as soon as fall comes around (about this time of year), it flowers like crazy.
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Can you help me identify this?

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