Tropical and subtropical plants are making their presence felt in our temperate Sydney gardens. Just look at how stunning frangipanis are now. Trees are laden with white, pink, apricot or red flowers and the fallen blooms carpet the ground under the tree. Take a deep breath as you walk past – the fragrance is stunning as well.

Frangipanis are sure-fire reminders of lazy summer days by the beach somewhere warm and tropical and they can be grown in gardens even where winters are cold. Frangipanis are fast becoming favourite flowers, especially for younger gardeners.

As interest in frangipanis grows, more varieties are becoming available from nurseries or specialist growers (see supplier listing). There are dwarf varieties for pots and small gardens and, if you are really enthusiastic, a new purple variety, which could set you back several hundred dollars for a small plant.

But if you are just starting out with frangipanis, choose a sunset pink or white one growing in the neighbourhood or in a friend’s garden. Wait until winter then ask for a cutting. Frangipanis grow easily from large cuttings taken when the limbs are bare. Break or cut off some pieces about 20 to 30 centimetres long. Let them dry for a few days until the white sap stops running, and then plunge them into a large pot filled with moist propagating sand or a mix of peat and propagating sand.

Once the plant has formed a strong root system and put out new leaves, plant it in the ground. Choose a warm spot in your garden – somewhere you like to sit in winter – that’s where your frangipani will be happy, too. North or north-west-facing with its back to the wall or the side of your house is ideal. Have a look at where frangipanis are growing and flowering well to get the aspect right in your garden.

Most importantly, if your garden gets frost in winter, protect the frangipani on frosty nights by covering it with a sheet. Frost damage to the tips of frangipanis can reduce flowering or even lead to fungal disease and dieback.

Boosting the look

If you have a frangipani that’s doing well, add another and then introduce other heat-loving plants. Bromeliads grow well under frangipanis and can be massed for a striking look but consider other lush foliage plants often sold as indoor or patio plants. Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura), which have pink stripes on their two-tone green leaves, ctenanthe (the “c” is silent) with gold variegations, and small-leafed philodendrons (particularly “Xanadu”) are great examples.

While we’re looking at lush undergrowth consider the ginger plants such as true gingers (Zingiber officinale), native ginger (Alpinia coerulea), blue ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora) and even the ginger lilies (Hedychium spp. and named varieties), with their gorgeous fragrant heads of cream, yellow or pink flowers.

Another tropical plant that’s received a lot of interest in recent years and can be grown in temperate gardens is the bat plant (Tacca integrifolia). The flowers of this plant are amazing. Two large white petals at the top of the bloom resemble a bat’s ears. These are surrounded by long whiskery filaments. The bat resemblance is uncanny.

Plants are available in flower at nurseries and are sold at plant and garden expos or by mail order. They can be grown in a pot or in the ground in a warm spot sheltered from cold winds and frost.

The eucharist lily (Eucharis amazonica), with deep green lush leaves and a stalk of white, daffodil-like flowers, is also flowering now.

Add some climbers

Tropical and subtropical climbers can quickly transform your garden into a tropical paradise. Train them along a fence or across a pergola where they’ll enjoy sun and warmth. Beaumontia grandiflora is one of the most stunning for Sydney gardens. This plant grows well in warm coastal areas and its large creamy trumpet flowers are show stoppers when in bloom. Others subtropical climbers to try include stephanotis, antigonon, mandevilla and quisqualis.

Colourful choices

Which tropical and subtropical plants will grow well in your garden depends on your local microclimate. However, the list of potential candidates grows longer each year as more gardeners experiment with new plants. Any of these are worth trying if you’ve had success with frangipanis and have a frost-free spot:

* Crotons Shrubs to grow for their multicoloured foliage. Look for modern named varieties as these are more cold-tolerant. Best in the warm positions.

* Cordylines Clumping plants with strappy boldly coloured leaves.

* Mussaenda A poinsettia look-alike or try the pink ‘Queen Sirikit’.

* Ornamental bananas Particularly stunning is Musa velutina.

* Ixora Gorgeous shrubs with glossy green leaves and clusters of bright orange flowers, especially “Prince of Orange”.

Where to buy frangipanis

More nurseries are specialising in frangipanis. Here are two that have mail order.

* DJs Way, Tweed Heads, NSW. Phone (07) 5599 7117.

* Sacred Garden, Gordonvale, Queensland. Phone (07) 4056 1818.

What’s tropical?

Tropical and subtropical plants generally have great tolerance of heat and humidity but don’t like winter chills. True tropical plants drop dead when temperatures fall below 16 degrees. Others can withstand lower temperatures by becoming dormant in winter or by being grown in a warm, sheltered spot. Sensitive tropical plants drop their leaves when it gets cold and never grow them back. Plants that hibernate may take several months to regrow after winter.

To give your tropical gems a good chance of surviving winter, follow these tips:

* Plant them in spring after the threat of frost has passed.

* Select a spot that’s sheltered from cold winds with a warm, sunny aspect. Avoid south-facing locations.

* Provide an extra source of winter warmth such as a warm, sunny masonry wall (brick, stone, rendered) that absorbs heat even in winter to give tropical plants some extra warmth. It’s a bit like putting the electric blanket on before you go to bed.

* During winter, move vulnerable potted plants indoors into a brightly lit spot or onto a sheltered veranda.

* Use trees and palms to create a canopy over your garden.

source : www.theage.com.au