There are at least 100 cultivars suitable for outdoor planting in temperate climates that can be used to create a jungle-like environment in the back yard. Most of them are cataloged here in the “A to Z of Jungle Plants” section of The Jungle Garden by Philip Oostenbrink.
Knowing what to plant is not enough, of course, and the bulk of this volume is spent explaining how to organize plantings to get the right effect.
Among the A to Z recommendations:
Adiantum venustum (Maidenhair fern).
Often sold as a houseplant, but can thrive outdoors too. If it is planted in the right position it will gradually spread through the border, where the soft filigree foilage weaves bolder leaf structures together.
Catalpa (Indian bean tree)
Known for their large leaves and respond well to coppicing. If this is done in late winter or early spring the new leaves will be larger and have more intense color than when the plant is left unpruned. Another benefit of annual coppicing is that the tree will respond by putting on a lot of growth, often producing shoots 2.5m tall that same year. Although a large tree, by pruning it back every year it can easily be grown in small and medium-sized gardens.
Dicksonia Antarctica (Tree fern)
An ideal plant to use as an upper canopy and one or more of these tree ferns planted in a garden give an instant jungle look. In colder areas the crown can be protected by placing straw in the centre and covering it in fleece. The fronds will unfurl beautifully in spring and can become 2m long.
“There is a very large range of plants suitable for the jungle garden,” says Philip Oostenbrink. “Many are easy to obtain while others will need to be bought from specialist nurseries. Hunting down the plants is part of the thrill of creating a jungle garden and getting hold of rarer plants means your visitors will be excited to see what hidden gems lie around the corner.”
