Aruba, Jamaica Ooh I Wanna Take Ya

Begonia illustration from Nature Hills Nursery.

Rhododendron illustration from Nature Hills Nursery

Great Gunnera from Spring Hills Nursery

For the Midwest gardener who wants a Tropical Paradise, there are options besides actual tropical plants.

Strong color is the main starting point. Tropical colors are turquoise, orange, ginger/browns, fuchsia, green and most any other bright color you want to introduce.

Colors are taken from the hard scape of tropical regions such as the ocean, flowers, sand, rain forests, and fruit. They are bright clear colors.

It is difficult to find flowers in a true turquoise. This might be where you introduce turquoise with pots, cloth, stepping stones and glass.

Obviously, water plays a part in the topical garden and if you don't have a pool, river or stream, introduce water through a small pond or waterfall. A simple table top water fountain will bring the "sound" of water to the landscape. A dry creek bed or pool of colored glass in turquoise or bright cobalt blue is another option. Cheap colored glass florist marbles or aquarium rocks will work.

Typical potted indoor plants such as palms and mother-in-law's tongue placed in shade will work. Jasmine and gardenia plants along with the Angel's Trumpet will perfume the air as if in a rain forest. I would never recommend planting bamboo, it is highly invasive and almost impossible to kill or contain.

Bulbs such as canna, especially the orange and yellows, elephant ears, dahlias, and begonias. These must all be dug in the fall or they will die.

Try a small lemon or orange tree placed in a pot (making it easier to move inside.)

If you have semi shade, perennial rhododendron bushes come in bright orange and magenta. They will bring in the spring with tropical shades. There are bright magenta Weigela bushes.

Clematis, honeysuckle, and trumpet vine all have bright perennial flowers. Scarlet Runner Bean and morning glories are two bright annual vines.

If you enjoying potted plants, you can actually use tropical plants - making sure they are inside well before the first frost.

To add additional zip to a tropics based landscape, include bright colored cushions and umbrellas. Use large flowered patterns on material for tablecloths, napkins and porch curtains.

Some go so far as to "tiki" with dried grass roofs and titi gods. Many of the tiki themed items can be bought at party stores.

Beach parties are part of the tropics and patio lights, tiki lanterns, candles, and oil lamps can play a big part of night life. The seven foot lighted cacti might be over the top for you but a few torches are in most every one's budget.

If earthquakes, the recession, and terrorism have you thinking twice about that sea side vacation this year, turn a portion of your yard into a tropical paradise and enjoy the tropics right in your own backyard. Did I mention the need for a "Beach Boys" CD???

"Aruba, Jamaica ooh I wanna take ya

To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama

Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go

Jamaica off the Florida Keys

There's a place called Kokomo

That's where you wanna go to get away from it all

Bodies in the sand

Tropical drink melting in your hand

We'll be falling in love

To the rhythm of a steel drum band

Down in Kokomo"

"Kokomo" by the Beach Boys