Tropical Plants for Zone 5: Bringing the Tropics to Your Cold Climate Garden
Introduction
If you live in USDA zone 5, you may think that growing tropical plants is impossible. However, there are many cold-hardy tropical plants that can thrive in your garden with a little extra care. These plants will add a touch of the tropics to your landscape, creating a lush and exotic oasis.
Choosing Tropical Plants for Zone 5
When choosing tropical plants for zone 5, it is important to select varieties that are hardy enough to withstand the cold winters. Some good options include:
- Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys veticillata): This low-maintenance tree has lush, thick needles and attractive reddish brown bark. It prefers a sheltered location protected from cold winds.
- Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus carica): This cold-hardy fig tree may freeze back in winter, but it will regrow in spring and produce plenty of sweet fruit. It requires a thick layer of mulch for winter protection.
- Big Bend Yucca (Yucca rostrata): This yucca is one of several types that tolerate zone 5 winters. It prefers a sunny location with good drainage and protection from excess moisture.
- Cold Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos): Also known as swamp mallow, this hibiscus tolerates climates as far north as zone 4. It is slow to emerge in spring, so be patient.
- Japanese Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta): This shade-loving plant produces a burst of spotted, star-shaped blooms in late summer and early autumn.
- Jelena Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’): This hardy deciduous shrub has reddish orange foliage in autumn and spider-shaped, coppery blooms in late winter.
- Canna Lily (Canna x generalis): With its huge leaves and exotic flowers, canna is one of the few true cold-hardy tropical plants for zone 5. However, the bulbs need to be dug up and stored in moist peat moss over winter.
Caring for Tropical Plants in Zone 5
Although the tropical plants listed above are cold-hardy, they still need some extra care to survive the winter in zone 5. Here are a few tips:
- Mulch heavily: A thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants will help to insulate them from the cold.
- Protect from wind: Cold winds can damage tropical plants, so plant them in a sheltered location or provide them with wind protection.
- Water deeply: Tropical plants need regular watering, but be sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Fertilize regularly: Tropical plants benefit from regular fertilization. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow the directions on the package.
Conclusion
With a little extra care, you can enjoy the beauty of tropical plants in your zone 5 garden. These plants will add a touch of the tropics to your landscape and create a lush and exotic oasis.
