It’s all about selecting the right varieties and choosing a good set-up. Look for big leaves for a strong backbone, and fill borders, pots and planters with bold colours, exotic-looking plants and lush foliage. The results will be absolutely breathtaking. There’s a good reason exotic gardens and patios are an everlasting trend! 

 

As always, we’re happy to inspire you with some awesome, exotic-looking plants to create a stunning exotic patio and jungle-style borders. 

 

Starting off with the revolutionary Mad about Mangave® series. These low-maintenance succulents are born for a life on an exotic-styled patio. They’re happy indoors and outdoors, though they need some protection during harsh weather (best to keep them on that sheltered exotic patio). Mad about Mangave® hardly needs any looking-after, seems to thrive on some neglect, and come in a wide range of stunning colours and patterns. 

  

 

2. Aloë 

Obviously, the Aloë can’t be forgotten when we’re talking of exotic-looking plants. The Aloë Safari Sunrise is happy indoors and outdoors, looks stunning, asks for very little maintenance and will give any terrace an exotic, jungle-like appearance. 

  

3. Mahonia 

Another beautiful, exotic-looking specimen is Mahonia: Mahonia Volcano to be exact. Come winter, this fantastic plant will erupt like a volcano, giving an instant Jurassic Park atmosphere with its beautiful yellow and orange flowers. 

  

 

4. Phormium 

Wild-looking plants like Phormium are perfect to fill both pots and borders alike in jungle-themed gardens. Phormium Black Adder for example will create beautiful contrasts and will make the flowers and foliage surrounding it pop! 

  

5. Agapanthus 

Agapanthus continues to grow in popularity: and we’re not surprised. After holidays to all sorts of exotic, Mediterranean locations, people can’t wait to fill their garden with these colourful, jungle-like perennials. Especially the Agapanthus Everpanthus® series will make your heart skip a beat as it blooms not once, but twice a year. 

 

 

6. Miscanthus 

Though not all Miscanthus is as suited for a jungle-themed garden, Alligator most definitely is. With its striking, wild-looking foliage, it will make for a perfect backdrop in jungle-style borders, or just look very handsome in a nice tall planter. 

 

7. Dahlia 

To continue the colourful jungle theme, don’t forget to add some colour and drama with the Dahlia Mystic series, for example. The dark, dramatic, almost gothic colours of the Mystics will make your jaw drop with awe. Looking for a splash of colour? Then the Dahlia Dreamy series will make your dreams come true. 

 

 

8. Ficus 

Whereas many might scare away from growing a ficus (hello high-maintenance!), Little Miss Figgy might just change your mind. This fantastic little dwarf fig stays compact and will be more than happy to add some ‘jungle’ to your exotic patio. Though small, she’s a true superhero when it comes to producing fruits! 

 

 

9. Arbutus 

Now, when you see Arbutus, ‘jungle’ might not be the first word that comes to mind. But when Arbutus Mercurius flowers, you’ll know exactly why it's perfectly suited for a jungle-style border or exotic patio. Mercurius has great pot performance and is resistant against heat, drought and humidity! 

 

10. Rosmarinus 

Rosmarinus has beautiful, somewhat wild and exotic-looking foliage that makes it a great specimen for jungle-style borders. Rosmarinus Blue Cascade on the other hand can add even more drama to the jungle with its elegantly arching branches and large, blue flowers. A beautiful plant for hanging baskets or pots on the exotic patio. 

 

11. Magnolia 

Anything with a large leaf creates a great jungle-like backdrop. There’s a wide range of Magnolia trees out there, but not all are suited for smaller gardens and not all have the big, dramatic-looking leaves that add to the jungle atmosphere. Magnolia Starburst is small to medium-sized, has the rich dark green foliage to give that jungle feel and tops it up with incredible flowers that seem to reveal a universe of red-pink stars. Vanilla Pearls on the other hand is perfectly suited for smaller gardens and patios. 

 

12. Isoplexis 

Exotic-looking, compact, flowering for months and growing with the speed of light: that’s Isoplexis ‘Bella’. Her jungle-like flowers appear throughout May all the way up to October, adding drama throughout the seasons. Happy in borders and planters alike. 

13. Astelia 

Add some drama to the jungle-styled borders with Astelia Silver Shadow. Great for creating contrast, attractive year-round, strikingly beautiful, very low maintenance and also very happy in pots and planters. 

14. Lomandra 

And last but definitely not least we have Lomandra. Lomandra White Sands to be exact: the unkillable plant. Super-strong, elegant, fast-growing, heat-resistant, drought resistant and absolutely stunning. It’s the very first variegated Lomandra and a fantastic addition to any jungle-style border.