Creating a tropical look with plants in Arizona

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Here in the Phoenix, Arizona area, a tropical look can be achieved, but it's only an illusion. This isn't Hawaii, or a greenhouse! Most plants that grow well in the tropics will die if you plant them outdoors here in Arizona because of our extreme heat, and also because of how cold it gets in the winter. But there are a few tricks that you can use to *cheat it* and give the illusion of a tropical paradise.

• Get some miniature palm trees. You can find dwarf date palms (Phoenix roebellini) just about anywhere around here, and they are fairly inexpensive. That's the best place to start. Plant a few of them around your yard and you will instantly have a tropical look going.

• Get some cycads. The most common one is a *sago palm* (cycas revoluta). Cycads give a nice illusion of a ferny plant, but unlike ferns, they won't die here in the desert. Don't bother buying ferns. They just won't grow here, no matter how much water and care you give them. The air is just too dry for ferns. Get some cycads. The cycad in the center of the photo is a Dioon Spinulosum.

• Plant some bulbs. Lots of them. The cannas that you on the right side of the photo were planted as bulbs. The variety is Tropicanna, which has a nice leaf shape and color. Other bulbs that do well here are daffodils, freesia, hyacinth, caladiums, iris, and sparaxis. Avoid bulbs that require chilling, such as tulips and Dutch Iris. And be sure to plant them in a nice big hole filled with potting soil

When you think of tropical, think of a rain forest. Think of diversity. Mix things up. I am always experimenting. I like to buy plants small, plant them in different places around the garden, keep an eye on them, and hope for success. I think that it's safe to say that 90% of what I have planted has failed - but I keep trying!

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