Outdoor Tropical Plants in North Texas?

Question

I live in Keller/Fort Worth, TX.
I would like to landscape my backyard with tropical plants.
I would like elephant ears, ti plants, fast growing palm trees, maybe bamboo if I can contain it, and some tropical flowering plants.

My issue is I know nothing about gardening.
I need to know what tropical type plants can surrvive year round in north Texas, which ones with come back, and if what plants can live in sun and what plants need shade or partial shade.

any suggestions...at the moment I have a whole lot of nothing but grass.

Thanks
Matt

Answer 1

Well first you need to know what hardiness zones you are, in Fort Worth you are on the border of 7b/8a. So next you need to look up each kind of plant you are thinking of getting and see if they will survive the winters there. Also keep in mind the heat of summer, might be advisable to get a Sunset garden guide for you area. The growing zones in it are based on more than winter low temps. but on temps, rainfall, a lot of factors. You should be ok with many bamboos and the cold hardy bananas. Ti wouldnt take your winters, some of the elephant ears should be ok http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/plant.aspx?id=96824

http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/sunset-climate-zones-texas-00400000036339/

http://plantfinder.sunset.com/sunset/plant-home.jsp

Answer 2

Northern Texas can experience winter lows from about 10 degrees to below zero, which means tropical plants just won't survive there. However, there's no reason you can't have a tropical looking garden. Tropical looks are based on hardier plants with very large exotic leaves, dense lush planting design and spots of hot colored flowers. Here are three excellent choices to get you started and below are links to a more complete professionally written plant profile for each.



Black Bamboo Phyllostachys nigra - This is one of many cold hardy bamboo species that can range in form from groundcover to timber size. This well known species produces exotic black canes that are truly exotic looking.



Tropicanna Canna indica - The Victorian canna was rediscovered with this popular variety that produces orchid-like orange flowers. But it is the burgundy colored striped foliage that made it so incredibly popular. If grown in the ground you may have to dig up roots to store indoors for the winter, or grow in pots that you can move into the garage for storage with autumn frost.



Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans - This deciduous native vine of the southeastern states is tough, reliable and cold hardy. It produces exceptionally large tangerine red trumpet flowers that rival those of the tropical scarlet flowered species. Drape anything in creeper and it's instantly tropical.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

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