How to grow a tropical garden

Have you ever admired a tropical garden only to wish you could do the same, but thought it was virtually impossible?

Everyone can enjoy their own piece of tropical paradise by embarking on a garden DIY job with a bit of know-how of what to grow.

Visiting your local gardening centre will give you an idea of what tropical species you can find in your area, but to give you a bit of a head start, we've put together a list of what tropical flowers you can get planting this spring.

Beehive ginger (Zingiber spectabile)

This bright plant will bring you joy for six months of the year, flowering in shades of canary yellow, gold and caramel. As its name suggests, it resembles a beehive in the garden - a perfect pop of colour for the summer backyard!

Torch heliconia (Heliconia psittacorum)

Its striking appearance will brighten any garden, injecting pops of colour in yellow, orange and bright pink. This tropical plant grows easily in cooler climates, so it is perfect for parts of the country that don't receive as much warmth.

Giant lobster claw (heliconia bihai)

Deriving its common name from its appearance, the giant lobster claw blooms bright yellow and red flowers - making an spectacular ornamental display in the garden.