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Note: This section is now in the archives and the advice service has finished but feel welcome to look over these previously posted questions and answers.
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Question:
We are currently trying to re-design our front garden with
a subtropical sort of theme. Our problem however is that the front section
is quite soggy with a clay base. (Rock hard in Summer, boggy mess in
winter). What types of things can be do to overcome this and do you have
some planting suggestions of plants that would go well together in this
theme and this environment?
Answer:
There are a number of problems to overcome here, and first and foremost is the condition of your soil. There are plants which will thrive in a boggy mess in winter and baked clay in summer, but they are few and far between and you are much better off trying to improve your soil condition so that you have a greater choice of plants to choose from. By digging in loads of well-rotted organic matter you should start to open the soil up a bit and improve its general condition and by this adding organic matter (compost or manure) it will help the soil to retain water in summer and aid with drainage in winter. So you've improved the soil, then what?
Does your front garden slope at all? I'm assuming it does and the worst of the winter water is at the foot of the slope. If the problem is really bad and the state of the ground makes it impossible to even walk around the front garden in winter without getting sodden feet, then you might need to consider installing some sort of elementary drainage system. You'd probably not need much more than a simple system - an arrangement of perforated plastic pipes buried beneath the ground which would divert any excess water into a soak hole or other appropriate area of the garden.
I did once design a similar sort of garden which suffered from the same sort of problem. I overcame the problem of winter water by doing away with the idea of a conventional path and instead designed a series of raised wooden boardwalks (which tied in very nicely with the tropical theme) that way feet were always dry even in the middle of rainy spell. Secondly, to help provide a friendlier environment for the plants I devised a series of raised timber beds which helped the problem of drainage. This also has the advantage of providing instantly improved soil (they need filling with good topsoil), although it's worth keeping an eye on them throughout the hotter months to ensure they don't dry out. To add further interest I sunk some very large (almost watertight) containers into the area with the lowest (wettest) ground level - this provided an area of planting that was constantly damp and so enabled me to grow some fantastic architectural bog-loving plants such as Gunnera manicata (this is a wonderful plant with ENORMOUS leaves - can grow 2m x 2m in a single season and then dies down for the winter).
So, once you have created a more hospitable environment (and set out a strong structure) for your plants then it's time for some planting fun.
It doesn't matter where you live, you can always create a subtropical look even with plants that you don't really associate with the sub-tropics. Go for architectural plants with strong spiky form such as 'Trachycarpus fortunei' (very hardy) and balance this with plenty of lush softer big-leafed specimens.
Here are just a few suggestions of plants which I think lend themselves to the subtropical look.
Plants for shady areas
Bromeliads, Fatsia japonica, Ferns, Nikau palms, Clivias, Gardenias, Gunnera manicata (semi shade/boggy soil)
Plants for sunny areas
Bananas, Dracaenas, Palms, Pukas, Frangipani, Tamarilloes, Avocados, Trachycarpus fortunei
Plants for hot, dry areas
Agave attenuata, Furcreas, Euphorbias, Yuccas, Kangaroo Paws, Aloes, Numerous succulents
Try to think in terms of foliage rather than flowers. For me, the very essense of the subtropical look is 'shade beneath the canopy of huge leaves'. Even something like bamboo can lend a subtropical theme - but be careful of invasive roots - plant in a large container in the ground (making sure there are drainage holes). Think too about incorporating some sort of water feature - even if it's a simple container/water garden.
Good luck!
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