For a taste of the tropics without travelling, come inside and visit my secret indoor ‘rain-forest’ of tropical plants thriving under the moist conditions.
“Between My Country – and the Others –
There is a Sea –
But Flowers – negotiate between us –
As Ministry.”Emily Dickinson
As in Emily Dickinson’s short poem, I hope this post will ‘Say it with Flowers’, including this glorious Gloriosa rothschildiana above (grown from seed).
Tender Tropical Plants
Come and see my own little piece of tropical rain-forest, a moist haven of coolness and cheer for the driest of days, when all is scorched outside as it has been this summer heatwave. With a daily dampened floor these plants have remained fresh, needing little watering and there has been something in flower all the time. The space is tiny and far too small. If only I had a proper conservatory! But you are privileged. Visitors to our front door never normally get to see this secret hideaway!
Like nature, we gardeners have a way of squeezing plants into every available space if given the chance. There is a heady mix of foliage and flowers here. Half hidden gems, unsung and self-effacing, await their turn, while others are crying out for attention. Bold leaf colours with attractive veining cheek by jowl with brightly coloured flowers, all playing off each other in an attractive rainbow mix.
To see the following galleries please click on the photos.
Most of these plants are old friends that have been with me several years. Some of them dying down in the winter, to return again each summer. Others manage to survive the cold in this just -frost -free environment, yet more tender ones being cosseted indoors. Of course there will always be some failures. That’s gardening!
Here are some of my favourite tender tropical plants, mostly previous years’ photos:
Thank you for visiting – If you’re tempted by some of the above photos, take a look at Dibley’s catalogue – a good source of cheap conservatory and indoor houseplants as mail- order plug plants. For seeds of similar tender tropical plants, I often use Chiltern Seeds. Another source is Jungle Seeds
Next post I hope to be in the West Country, all “Shipshape and Bristol Fashion”.
A Listening Heart 
Richard, thank you for sharing these. The first picture looks like a ‘Flame Lily’ from Africa. x
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Yes it is. Gloriosa comes originally from East Africa. Mine came from seeds I had from Chiltern Seeds! It dies down to tubers and I replant every year.
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I am chuckling about Chiltern seeds, Richard. The flame lily used to be the national emblem of Rhodesia many moons ago. You have a beautiful indoor garden.
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They’re fabulously luxurious Richard! It’s lovely to have such a haven whatever the weather outside.
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Thanks Andrea. The plants so obviously thrive on each other’s company in the enclosed environment. It’s amazing how little watering they’ve needed during this hot summer outside. But in winter frost our indoor windowsills have to be pressed into service to protect the most tender ones!
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What green fingers you must have, Richard! These plants and flowers are absolutely glorious! I was just considering visiting a local exotic garden when I saw your post. What a coincidence! http://www.hensteadexoticgarden.co.uk/
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Thank you Clare. How interesting. I hope you enjoyed the exotic garden visit. It looks fine – my tiny garden room display on steroids! As the owner commented in the video clip, his garden is, ‘more Jurassic Park than Gardener’s Question Time’! I notice he had the giant Echiums. Mine, which I planted out as metre high plants, both succumbed to the frost last winter. I’m envious!
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How sad and disappointing for you! I am surprised he has managed to retain so much, especially after the freezing winter we had! Perhaps the video was made before the Beast From the East!
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