A tropical-style garden in the UK can transport you to warmer climes, filled with vibrant colors, lush foliage, and a sense of untamed wilderness. One of the best ways to achieve this look is by incorporating climbing plants, which add height, texture, and a sense of wild abundance. Here are three of the best climbers to consider for your UK tropical-style garden: Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’, Spanish Flag, and Clematis armandii. Each brings its own unique flair, helping to create that exotic, verdant paradise you’re aiming for.
1. Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ (Lonicera x brownii)
Interesting Facts:
- Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ is a hybrid variety, developed in Canada in 1950 by breeder Frank Skinner, combining the hardiness of Lonicera hirsuta and the vibrant color of Lonicera sempervirens.
- Unlike some other honeysuckles, this variety is relatively low-scented, focusing on visual appeal with its striking tubular flowers.
- It’s a vigorous grower, capable of reaching heights of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters), making it an excellent choice for covering trellises, fences, and walls.
Why It’s Perfect for a Tropical Garden:
Dropmore Scarlet honeysuckle adds a fiery splash of color to your tropical-style garden with its bright scarlet-orange flowers. These tubular blooms are particularly attractive to hummingbirds (if you’re lucky enough to spot one in the UK!) and other pollinators, adding to the ecological richness of your garden. The plant’s vigorous growth and hardiness make it an ideal choice for UK gardens, as it can withstand colder winters while still providing that exotic, tropical feel. Its long flowering season, from early summer to autumn, ensures your garden remains vibrant throughout the growing season.
2. Spanish Flag (Ipomoea lobata)
Interesting Facts:
- Spanish Flag, also known as Mina lobata or firecracker vine, is native to Central and South America, where it thrives in warm, tropical climates.
- The plant is named for its striking, multicolored flowers, which transition from bright red to yellow, resembling the colors of the Spanish flag.
- Despite its tropical origins, Spanish Flag can be grown as an annual in the UK, reaching heights of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) in a single season.
Why It’s Perfect for a Tropical Garden:
The Spanish Flag vine is an excellent choice for adding a burst of color and drama to your tropical-style garden. Its unusual, cascading flowers create a waterfall of vibrant hues, bringing an immediate tropical flair to any space. This climber is perfect for training up trellises, pergolas, or even letting it trail over fences. The rapid growth and ability to flower profusely throughout the summer make it a showstopper in the garden. While it is an annual in the UK, its easy growth and the ability to reseed itself mean it can make a return appearance each year, maintaining that tropical vibe.
3. Clematis armandii
Interesting Facts:
- Clematis armandii is an evergreen clematis native to China, named after the French missionary and botanist Père Armand David, who introduced it to the West in the 19th century.
- The plant is prized for its large, star-shaped white flowers that have a delightful almond scent, blooming in early spring.
- Unlike many clematis, Clematis armandii is evergreen, providing year-round interest with its glossy, leathery leaves.
Why It’s Perfect for a Tropical Garden:
Clematis armandii is ideal for a tropical-style garden due to its lush, evergreen foliage and early-spring flowers that bring both beauty and fragrance to your garden. The star-shaped white flowers are reminiscent of exotic, tropical blooms, while the plant’s evergreen nature ensures your garden remains green and vibrant even in winter. This climber is perfect for covering large areas, such as walls or pergolas, providing both privacy and a lush backdrop for other plants. Its rapid growth and ability to thrive in full sun or partial shade make it versatile and easy to integrate into a variety of garden settings.
Why These Climbers Are Ideal for a UK Tropical-Style Garden
Creating a tropical-style garden in the UK is all about choosing plants that bring color, texture, and a sense of wild exuberance to your space. Honeysuckle ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ offers long-lasting color and hardy growth, while Spanish Flag provides a vibrant cascade of color throughout the summer. Clematis armandii adds structure, fragrance, and year-round greenery, making it an essential component of your garden’s design. Together, these climbers create a layered, visually stunning garden that evokes the beauty of the tropics, even in the unpredictable UK climate.
