SMALL-SPACE GARDENING From exotic plants to mini orchards with Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener

Bring your containers to life with seasonal ideas from our columnist Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener A TOUCH OF THE EXOTIC

Transporting yourself to the vibe of a far-flung destination, without moving away from home, is entirely possible in the UK, however small your outside space.

The key to creating a wonderful, exotic planting scheme, reminiscent of holidays in the sun, is to use large, bold, dramatic foliage and vibrantly coloured flowers. Place at different heights to produce a lush jungle effect. If you’re using containers, the bigger the pot the better, starting with the taller plants at the back.

Bamboo and banana plants offer height and structure, so are wonderful for creating a space that feels like your own private retreat. Ferns, especially great if you have a shady spot, give medium-level height, while hostas and begonias add lower ground cover.

I also tend to use single varieties within one pot in these schemes, as I feel they make more of an impact and more closely resemble tropical landscapes in their density and depth. This also helps when it comes to watering, as different plants need different amounts.

There are lots of hardy varieties of lush plants that can withstand colder weather. Planting flowers in hot colours will give your garden a sunny feeling. Bright red crocosmia, vibrant yellow cannas, hot pink dahlias and the sweet scent of ginger lily will evoke your senses and call to mind dazzling, sun-soaked spots.

Finally, in order to continue that holiday theme, decorate your area for full relaxation mode. Focus on comfortable furniture, such as hammock chairs, small sofas and recliners or, if you’re short on space, invest in some brightly coloured floor cushions. Turn the page for Isabelle’s exotic plant picks. Follow her on Instagram @thebalconygardener

TALL PLANTS

Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra black bamboo, or Fargesia murielae umbrella bamboo

Japanese banana plant Musa basjoo

Fatsia japonica One of my favourite container plants – easy, abundant and versatile Phormium

Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’

Australian tree Fern Dicksonia antarctica

MEDIUM-LEVEL PLANTS

Aeonium Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’

Calla lilies Available in lots of colours (see ‘Pink Easter’ above)

Cannas Available in reds, yellows and oranges

Crocosmia Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’

Dahlias Available in various colours – go for shorter varieties that don’t need staking

Ferns Lots of lovely varieties available

Ginger lily Hedychium aurantiacum orange ginger lily

LOW-LEVEL PLANTS

Hostas Hosta fortunei ‘Francee’, or Hosta sieboldiana var elegans giant blue hosta

Begonias Begonia ‘Fragrant Falls Peach’; giant trailing begonias are also great in pots

Fuchsias Fuchsia ‘White Monk’, Fuchsia ‘Autumnale’, or Fuchsia ‘Annabel’