Tropical Heat: Three Fiery Orange Flowers to Ignite Your UK Garden

The Best Orange Flowers for a UK Tropical-Style Garden

Creating a tropical-style garden in the UK can be a rewarding challenge, where vibrant colors and lush foliage evoke the warmth and vibrancy of far-off climates. Among the many colors that can bring a tropical garden to life, orange stands out as a particularly striking choice. Here are three of the best orange flowers to consider for your UK tropical-style garden: Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, Tithonia, and Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’. Each of these plants not only adds a burst of color but also comes with unique features that make them ideal for this garden style.

1. Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’

Interesting Facts:

• The Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ is a classic dahlia cultivar, named after the Bishop of Llandaff, a title of the Welsh Anglican Church.
• It was first bred by Fred Treseder, a nurseryman from Cardiff, in 1924 and has since become a favorite among gardeners.
• Unlike many dahlias, this variety is particularly known for its deep, almost black, foliage, which provides a dramatic contrast to its vibrant orange-red flowers.

Why It’s Perfect for a Tropical Garden:
The Bishop of Llandaff dahlia is perfect for adding a bold, tropical flair to your garden. Its striking orange-red flowers stand out against the dark foliage, creating a dramatic and eye-catching display. Dahlias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for the warmer, sunny spots in your garden. Their long flowering season, from midsummer to the first frosts, ensures that your garden will be ablaze with color for months. Additionally, dahlias are tuberous perennials, meaning they can be lifted and stored over winter, ready to bring tropical warmth back to your garden year after year.

2. Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)

• Tithonia, commonly known as the Mexican sunflower, is native to Central America and Mexico.
• The plant can reach heights of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters), making it a fantastic choice for adding height and drama to your garden.
• Tithonia flowers are not just ornamental; they are also a magnet for pollinators like butterflies and bees, making them excellent for biodiversity.

Why It’s Perfect for a Tropical Garden:
Tithonia brings a taste of the tropics with its large, bright orange flowers that bloom from mid-summer to autumn. The plant’s bold color and towering height make it a standout feature in any garden. In a UK tropical-style garden, Tithonia can be used to create a sense of lush abundance, especially when planted en masse. Its ability to thrive in full sun and withstand drought conditions adds to its appeal, especially in gardens designed to be low-maintenance yet visually stunning. Additionally, its blooms are excellent for cutting, bringing a touch of the exotic indoors.

3. Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’

• Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’ is a hybrid crocosmia, known for its striking orange flowers with a deep red eye.
• The genus Crocosmia is native to the grasslands of South Africa, which contributes to its hardiness and adaptability.
• The name Crocosmia is derived from the Greek words for saffron (krokos) and smell (osme), referencing the saffron-like fragrance the dried flowers produce when steeped in water.

Why It’s Perfect for a Tropical Garden:
Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’ is an excellent choice for a UK tropical-style garden due to its vibrant orange blooms that appear in late summer, extending the season of color well into autumn. The plant’s arching stems and sword-like foliage add both texture and movement to the garden, creating a dynamic, layered look typical of tropical landscapes. Emily McKenzie is also relatively easy to grow, thriving in full sun or partial shade and in a variety of soil types, provided they are well-drained. Its ability to naturalize, forming clumps over time, makes it a great investment for gardeners looking to create a lush, tropical environment.

Why These Orange Flowers Are Ideal for a UK Tropical-Style Garden

In a UK tropical-style garden, the goal is to create a vibrant, lush environment reminiscent of warmer climates, and these three orange-flowering plants excel at this task. The Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ offers deep, dramatic contrast and a long blooming period, while Tithonia provides height, bold color, and a habitat for pollinators. Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’ brings structure, movement, and late-season color, ensuring your garden remains vibrant as summer fades. Together, they create a tapestry of color and texture that captures the essence of a tropical paradise, even in the cooler, temperate climate of the UK.