Tropical suggestions for a newbie?

I love the look of tropical plants, but haven't ventured beyond Cannas yet. What would be your suggestions for a new person?

My requirements are: must be easy, must survive without a lot of humidity, must overwinter in Zone 9. I can grow in pots or in the ground.

You have sooooooooo many options where you are.

Since you've done cannas, you can stay along the same line with gingers, caladiums, elephant ears, spider lilies, Agapanthus.

The pdb will be a big help, if you used the advanced search. You can specify zone 9 material, and all kinds of other options to find just the right plant for the spot you want to fill.

Wouldn't BOP do well out there?
Welcome to DG,you are in the right place!

BOP would do wonderfull. There's a million things that she could grow well, and if she wanted to push the zone a little, a million more.

Lilystorm, what kind of plants do you like? Is color more important than foliage? Full sun, shade, or in between? If you let us know a little more about what it is that interests you, we can make a lot of more specific suggestions.

Chris

How about an umbrella plant? Mine performs very well in zone 8. Dies back to the ground but comes right back up in the spring!
Terrie

Oops! Forgot to add the picture.

That umbrella plant is beautiful. Is that the same kind that I've seen sold as a houseplant?

I have mostly part shade areas in my yard. I tend to buy things with pretty flowers, but I really think I could use some more foliage plants that don't depend on flowers to look good.

I've thought of elephant ears before, but haven't tried them. I've heard of people growing gingers here too, but read in the garden section that they liked to be misted to get more humidity. It is really pretty dry here.

Lily,
You can see some of my elephant ears in this picture (way in the back and then in the front right corner). I think someone mentioned the umbrella plant as a house plant in the plant data base but I don't think it would get very big in the house. Mine multiplies and gets bigger every year. I read somewhere that you can cut one of the tops off and stick it in water and it will root. I'm gonna try that this year.

Chris,
What is BOP?
Terrie

I love the look of the elephant ears. What is the right time to buy and plant elephant ears and other (bulbous?) tropicals? Are there some favorite sellers for this type of thing?

In your area, you can buy and plant them all year round, but for the best performance, March is the best time.

I'm sure many people can make a recommendation on places to buy.

BOP is Bird of Paradise or Strelitzia spp.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. I've never seen anyone growing BOP around here but I bet I could grow it in a pot and then bring it in the house to overwinter. Would that work?
Terrie

Terrie,

Bringing it in during the winter might be a good way to start. the PDB lists it as hardy to 10a, but I've seen it happy and healthy in 9a in the ground. 8b might be worth testing when it flushes and puts out pups, but the first one should definately be brought in to be safe.

Chris

Hi lilystorm....Oh how I wish I had your zone! LOL I would be soooooo happy! There are so many different plants you can grow. I have BOP growing in pots here in zone 7. They are doing great, but I've never seen them bloom, in 2 years.

trunnels....that is a beautiful pic. I just love your outdoor room...it looks so inviting!

Brinda, are your BOP slow growing ? Im in z 5 have 2 in pots willbe 2 yrs in march but i dont think they are doing much. Can you gve me any tips?

If I wanted to arrange a trade for elephant ears and ginger, would it be better to do it in the fall and then store the bulbs? Or, should I just forget about it until early spring?

Thank you,Brinda!

Chris, when you get pups, do you just cut them off and root them in water?

oriole mine are very sloooooow growing. Honestly I haven't taken real good care of them this year. I got discouraged and all I do is water and give fertilizer when I think of it.

lilystorm, you need some brugmansia!!! You will love them too.

Brinda, I have a Charles Grimaldi brugsmania, which is new to me this year. I do love it and would like to get some other varieties.

Do any of you acquire elephant ears or gingers in the fall and hold them until spring? I'm anxious to get some, but don't know whether it's something you can store in a cool garage until planting time. Any advice?

Lily,
You can get the elephant ears and plant them now, if you want. I am in zone 8 and mine come back fine every year. At first, I would dig them up in the fall, cut all the foliage off and and stick them in the garden shed (not a greenhouse) and replant them in the spring. Then I tested one and found that they overwinter fine outside. They are late coming up though, like caladiums, in May.

tunnels,your yard & plants are beautiful.
I just love your pot stands.

Thanks, Christmascactus! This was my first year for them and I'm still experimenting with what to fill them with.