Joe’s 5-plant jungle plan

When creating a jungle display, you can’t go wrong with a bamboo, a hardy palm and a banana – it’s an eclectic but fool-proof selection of plants. I’ve arranged them informally by height, with a backdrop of tall bamboo canes and huge fresh-green banana le

Canna ‘Phasion’ x 3

This canna is what I call a ‘sunglasses plant’, with its very striking, striped leaves in a psychedelic blend of purple, orange, pink and green. It also has purple-pink stems. There are more subdued green-leaved varieties if you’re not quite brave enough. Cannas are primarily grown for their foliage, but if the summer is long and warm enough they’ll produce a bonus display of bold orange flowers that stand out dramatically against a green backdrop. Height x Spread 1.5m x 50cm

Dwarf fan palm ( Chamaerops humilis) x3

There are several hardy palms I could have chosen, but this one provides plenty of volume yet stays nice and compact to fill in the middle storey. This species is very variable in form – some plants grow stems and some stay low, so be sure to select your own plants in person to get the shape you prefer. If planting all three, then I suggest you choose a range of different shapes, sizes and heights for a less uniform, more natural look. H x S 2m x 1m

Umbrella bamboo ( Fargesia murielae) x1

All bamboos will bring a tropical feel to a garden. The taller ones sway in the wind, introducing movement, and grow upwards without creating a shady canopy. This one is a medium-sized evergreen species with gracefully arching canes and smallish leaves. I’ve placed it at the rear of the border so it forms a backdrop – bamboo is an excellent screening plant too. This is a clump-forming species – avoid a spreading bamboo as they are too difficult to control. H x S 3m x 1m

Hardy Japanese banana ( Musa basjoo) x3

I’ve grown these for years and sometimes they produce exotic-looking flowers and even small bunches of (inedible) fruit. Although the leaves then die, new shoots sprout from the base. If you protect the stem every winter, the plant will develop a tall trunk and produce leaves above head height, reaching up to 2m long. Plant in a sheltered spot so the foliage doesn’t get damaged by wind. Buy small plants, as they’re fast growing and easy to propagate. H x S 3m x 2m

Red bistort ( Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’) x 7

The jungle needs plants that can battle it out for survival and this one can compete with the best of them. It’s a vigorous clump-forming perennial that will cover the ground with its slender evergreen leaves. In summer it produces upright spikes of crimson flowers that will look particularly exotic in this setting. I’ve placed it in this border so it will run wild and cover any bare soil between the larger specimens. It’ll thrive in sun or partial shade. H xS 1.2m x 1.2m