WITH the storms and humidity, this December certainly has been tropical, which to most gardeners means colour.
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There are some spectacular plants available that will thrive here on the coast. If care is taken in frost-prone areas survival is possible of some species.
This year as a result of the dry period at the end of winter bougainvilleas are fantastic. Bougs bloom best when drier - luckily their colourful bracts formed before the extensive storms.
Frangipanis have increased in popularity over the last few years. They are used in minimalistic garden design or as pot specimens in courtyard gardens.
The colours available are now quite extensive. There are deep burgundy shades that contrast beautifully with the original form of white/yellow centred blooms.
These exotic plants thrive in full sun - although slow growing they are hardy and easy to grow. Remember they are deciduous so it is wise to plant them out in summer, before the cold winter winds arrive.
Poinciana, which are often sought out after holidays up north, are one of the more difficult trees to grow in this area.
My advice is to buy an advanced plant, find a sheltered sunny spot and plant during summer, allowing a few months for it to acclimatise before winter.
Hibiscus can be a bone of contention - sometimes sought after, then others totally forgotten. I suspect it is because of yellow leaves and holes eaten by snails and hibiscus beetle that makes them unsightly.
Their large blooms are colourful and certainly add to a tropical-style garden.
Hibiscus need to be pruned to keep them from becoming rangy and woody. After pruning apply cow manure and if leaves continue to be lacking in colour, apply chelated iron.
Foliage plants are grown in many different colours for shade or sun - try cordylines and dracaenas for shade and flax for the sunny hotspots.
