Tropical Ideas For Backyard

Create a Tropical Oasis in Your Backyard by Yourself

Warmer weather often prompts homeowners to start preparing their backyards for the coming summer months. If you’ve been dreaming all winter about getting away to tropical locations, then maybe you should consider transforming your backyard into your own personal tropical oasis. You may be surprised to discover just how simple it is to create the backyard of your dreams.

And if you decide to transform your backyard into a tropical oasis, our tips might give you some ideas.

- Plants, Plants, and More Plants

The key to making your backyard feel like a tropical locale is choosing the right type of plants, and planting a lot of them. Think big, bright blooms and plants with large green leaves. Remember that unless you live in an area with a warm climate, you have to be careful about the type of plants you choose.

If you live in an area with a moderate to cold climate, consider planting:

• Japanese Fiber Banana plants — known for their long, broad leaves. They can grow to be pretty tall, so plant them in an area with plenty of room to grow or a really large planter. They are purely ornamental.
• Soft Shield Ferns — their feathery, evergreen-colored leaves provide the perfect contrast for bright blooms.
• Blue Palm Trees (Sabal Minor) — small palms that withstand colder climates, growing between three and nine feet tall, tolerating temps as low as -4°F.
• Birds of Paradise — beautiful green-leaved plants that scream tropics, but must be grown in planters in colder climates.

You can also add ferns, reeds, or cold-hardy colorful blooms such as orchids, hibiscus, canna, and agapanthus.

- Garden Lighting

To create a tropical atmosphere in your backyard, lighting is just as important as the type of plants you choose. String LED rope lights back and forth over your deck or patio to create a warm, alluring atmosphere. Leave a little slack for a casual vibe.

Other lighting ideas:

• Line pathways with LED rope lights
• Strategically place tiki torches
• Use spotlights to highlight trees and plants
• Add candles on tabletops for a finishing touch

- Water Element

What’s a tropical oasis without water? If you already have a swimming pool, you’re set. Otherwise, build a small pond, add a waterfall, or use tropical-style fountains for the relaxing sound of water.

Steps to Create a DIY Mini Pond

It’s easy to build your own pond with a few supplies:

• An old bathtub or large watertight container
• A slate
• A rubber hose
• A piece of thick plastic film
• Stones, sand, and decorative elements
• Water plants (e.g., water lilies)

Instructions:

1. Bury the bathtub so edges are level with the ground.
2. Dig slate around the tub, edges 8 inches above ground.
3. Line edges with cut hose to protect polyethylene from cracking.
4. Cover tub and slate with polyethylene, weighing edges with soil and stones.
5. Fill pond with water.
6. Decorate with stones and water plants like lilies.

- Garden Furniture

No tropical garden is complete without a cozy sitting spot. Add a hammock, swing, or bench where you can relax during summer days.

When choosing where to place your seating, consider perspective: the view of your garden should be clear and inviting. Adjust seating to take full advantage of the best sightlines at eye level.

As you can see, it isn’t difficult to transform your backyard into a tropical oasis. All you need are the right kind of plants, lighting, some kind of furniture, and a water element to complete the look. The main thing is that all the elements of the decoration complement each other, creating a picture of perfect harmony.