Faced with a shift in our climate as it alternates between warm, wet summers and drought, we should expect to find plants from overseas becoming common sights in British gardens. The addition of Asian and Antipodean succulents, Mediterranean and desert plants alongside our existing hardy species will create exciting garden schemes.

Click here to see our beautiful gallery of exotic plants.

HOW TO USE EXOTICS IN YOUR GARDEN
The architectural exotics pictured in our gallery come from very different climates, so the crucial point is to choose ones suitable for where you live. Trachycarpus is a hardy genus – coming from beneath the Himalayan snowline. Phormiums and cordylines thrive in warm, coastal conditions, hence their popularity in the West Country; they will even survive in sheltered corners in the west of Scotland, thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream. Agaves and Dasylirion, from the hot, dry Mexican highlands, can be used in sun-baked, south-facing city gardens, but they may need protection from winter wet. Astelia copes with shade, but prefers dry conditions, while a sunny corner suits the Mediterranean Chamaerops – although their sharp spines make them hard to keep tidy.

WHERE TO BUY
• Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens, www.abbotsburyplantsales.co.uk.
• Architectural Plants, www.architecturalplants.com.
• Athelas Plants, www.athelasplants.co.uk.
• Burncoose Nurseries, www.burncoose.co.uk.
• Mulu Nurseries, www.mulu.co.uk.
• The Palm Centre, www.palmcentre.co.uk.
• The Plantation, www.theplantationnursery.co.uk.
• Seagrave Nurseries, www.seagravenurseries.co.uk.
• Urban Jungle, www.urbanjungle.uk.com.

Click here to see our beautiful gallery of exotic plants.

WORDS VANESSA BERRIDGE
PHOTOGRAPHS ANNAICK GUITTENY
MARCH 2009