Terrace Tropicals

By Mark Richardson Adult Education Programs Manager Brookside Gardens We all know summer can be brutal for the garden. This summer seems especially difficult given that (as of this writing in June) it hasnt rained in six weeks, and unwatered turf is already the golden brown color we usually see later in the season. If not for the annuals and plenty of irrigation, summer in the D.C. area might be just as drab as the last few weeks of winter, before the spring bulbs offer relief. What better way to brighten a patio or deck than with a touch of the tropics? Recent years have seen a flood of new and interesting tropical plants that provide tireless foliage, bold texture and brilliant color during the hot, sweaty months of the year. Many tropical plants thrive in containers for a dramatic and mobile way to add color and interest to the garden. Whether planted in a garden bed, singly in a container or in combination with other non-hardy plants, many tropical plants grow very large in a single season and make an immediate impact in the
Ricinus communis Carmencita is perfect for our displays here at Brookside Gardens. Its a little larger in stature than Impala but features the same broad, deeply-lobed burgundy foliage.Photo courtesy of Mark Richardson.

Brugmansia (unknown cultivar). Photo courtesy of Leslie McDermott.

garden. Plant them in spring after the threat of frost, enjoy them for one growing season and throw them on the compost pile once they succumb to the cold. Or, look for ways to overwinter them. There are over 40 species of bananas (Musa), including the hardy M. basjoo, which can reliably survive winters as far north as New Hampshire. Like all bananas, this herbaceous perennial has very large, oblong leaves (as long as 10) and loves the heat and humidity our summers provide. Although M. basjoo has pale yellow flowers, followed by non-edible fruit, dont expect much of a floral display; rather, grow it for its tough-as-nails foliage that laughs at the heat as other garden plants cower and seek shade. Plant in a garden bed and, once established, its stalks can grow as high as 15 feet; certain
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to be a little more contained in a planter on your patio, but imagine the drama of a big towering banana in your garden! One of the hottest bananas to hit the market lately is M. acuminata Siam Ruby, a red-leafed, dwarf cultivar (to 8) introduced a few years ago via Thailand by Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery. In warmer climates, M. acuminata is a perennial that produces edible fruits after white-yellow flowers; but here in the midAtlantic, it is best grown as an annual. Dont expect fruit, but enjoy Siam Ruby for its outstanding display of red foliage, irregularly mottled with lime green variegation. Another favorite of mine for its trumpetshaped, pendent and sweet-smelling flowers, angels trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) is

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a large, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, native to South America. Of the five species, none is hardy past zone 8, but can be overwintered very successfully in a basement where it will go dormant and drop its foliage. Once spring arrives, move it outdoors to a sunny location, water and watch it come back to life. Brugmansia Growers International lists more than 1,400 (mostly hybrid) cultivars in its comprehensive database, ranging from white to yellow to deep pink/burgundy for a wide range of flower colors from which to choose. With adequate light, water and nutrition, angels trumpet will generally flower from spring to frost, and because of its height (up to 12' under ideal conditions), it can be under-planted in a large container or garden bed with a variety of smaller annuals and other tropical plants. Why not save a spot for it in a perennial border and replant it year after year? One note of cautionbecause it is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), angels trumpet is toxicbe cautious when using it in the garden. For incredible foliage, robust growth and showy fruit, consider the castor bean (Ricinus communis). A native of northeast Africa and western Asia, castor bean has long been grown for its array of commercial uses. Extracts from the leaf, fruit and root have been used for medicinal purposes, the oil has wide-ranging uses, from laxatives to biodiesel, and its seed contains the poison, Ricin. As an ornamental plant, castor bean displays broad, deeply lobed glossy leaves and reddish brown, spherical seeds covered in spines. In its native climate (Zone 910), it is an evergreen shrub that can reach 30' in height. In our climate, start it from seed in late winter and expect more reasonable heights of 310', depending on cultivar. One of the more striking castor bean cultivars is Impala, which features a compact habit more conducive to planting
Musa acuminata ssp. zebrina is a perfect banana for containers. It tops out at about 6' and is much easier to find than its newer cousin, Musa acuminata Siam Ruby. Photo courtesy of Mark Richardson.

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in a container. Newly emerging shoots are crimson, fading to deep burgundy with age. As with angels trumpet, castor bean is toxic, so be careful when choosing where to place it in the garden. Finally, a signature plant at Brookside Gardens is the Hawaiian white hibiscus (Hibiscus waimeae). A small tree (to 30') endemic to Hawaii, this distinctive plant features large, wonderfully fragrant white flowers with red stamens from spring through summer. Individual flowers last for just a single day, fading to pink as they senesce. Grown in a container and pruned annually, H. waimeae can be kept small enough to grow indoors as a large houseplant (maintained at 6') during the winter months so that you can enjoy its sweet fragrance outdoors in summer. Tropical plants add variety and muchneeded intrigue during a time when many of our standard garden plants are taking the summer off. Professional gardeners, like those here at Brookside Gardens, have espoused the virtues of growing tropical plants in containers for decades. Broaden your plant palate and experiment with a few tropical plants that enjoy our sweltering summers and reward your clients with a long, dramatic season of display.

Castor Bean flowers.Photo courtesy of Mark Richardson.

R. communis Carmencita fruit is more pink than is typically seen in other cultivars.Photo courtesy of Mark Richardson.

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