Turn your garden into a holiday paradise with these plants
Summer feeling for your home.
14 April 2021
One reason why people like holiday is that you can really relax in the midst of palm trees, flowering oleander and a wonderful sea breeze. Since that is not necessarily possible at the moment, we simply bring that much longed-for holiday feeling home. And we do so with exotic plants that enrich our garden and improve our mood. Because in the shade of a palm tree it's certainly easier to switch off than under an awning or parasol.
Here are five plants that will take you on a journey across the world.
Under palm trees: A trip to the Canary Islands
When you see palm trees, you automatically think of holidays. Because this type of plant feels especially comfortable where the sun shines. Just like us humans. If you want to bring a bit of that ocean feeling right into your home, you can of course do that with indoor palms, which can easily be kept in a large pot. But if you want to go one step further and create your own little tropical paradise, you can put a few palm trees in your garden. There are some species that can survive a particularly harsh and cold winter. Such as the Canary Island date palm, which, as the name suggests, is very often found on the Canary Islands. In the wild it can grow up to 15 metres high, but in pot form it remains much smaller. So lie down in the shade of the palm leaves and imagine you are enjoying the Canarian sun.
Spiny cacti: A foray through Mexico
Where cacti grow, it is usually very hot and dry. But did you know that many cacti species are also hardy? This makes them perfect for surviving in our gardens. At the same time, they convey the feeling of summer, sun and relaxation. One of these is the prickly pear, which is known for its colourful flowers that range from yellow to purple. It is often found in the natural landscape of Mexico, where the sun can be quite powerful. But beware: like pretty much all cactus species, the Opuntia polyacantha is adorned with countless spines. In the garden, the plant reaches up to 40 centimetres in height. Just the sight of the prickly pear cactus will take you on a foray through South America.
Flowering oleander: the Italian attitude to life
Imagine you are in the south of Europe, for example in Italy, and are walking through the winding alleys of a historic old town. There are oleander bushes on every corner, with their beautiful blossoms sometimes snaking up the stone walls of the houses. You can easily bring the Mediterranean flair into your garden by lining it with oleanders. In order to enjoy this Mediterranean plant all year round, you should make sure that the oleander is well protected during the winter. It is relatively hardy, tolerating temperatures of up to -5 degrees Celsius.
Magnificent olive trees: pure Greece feeling
For many, olive trees are the epitome of the Greek south. Because the plant triggers pure holiday feeling in us. One look at the historical plant is enough and we are usually already reassured. Even in ancient times, olive trees were a symbol of peace. While the plant can grow up to 20 metres high in its natural environment, it usually only reaches around 1.5 metres in pot form. Perfect for adding a little Greek flair to your own garden. In winter, however, you should make sure that you store the olive tree in a warm and dry area so that it can be used again in the warm season without damage.
Decorative Agave: Welcome to South America
Just like most cacti, agaves feel most at home in subtropical regions of the earth. The highlight of the plants are their large, decorative leaves, which can grow up to 1.5 meters long and shimmer in many different colors and patterns. The plant is widespread in Central and also in parts of South America, such as Brazil. Especially the Blue Agave (also called Agave Tequilana), from whose heart the high-proof Tequila is made, is well known, but also the American Agave, with which one can get the South American feeling at home. Because the latter grows up to three meters tall and can easily survive a harsh winter.
Picture Credits: Joey Genovese / Unsplash, Konevi / Pixabay, Hans Braxmeier / Pixabay, Efrain Hernandez / Pixabay, Albrecht Fietz / Pixabay, Ulrike Leone / Pixabay, Marianne Mader / Pixabay, MonikaP / Pixabay, Casc / Pixabay, Zibik / Pixabay
