Creating a tropical garden

Andrew Mangwarara

AS you explore Harare suburbs further, you are bound to find a lot of hidden treasures in the world of gardening. One such place is a secluded garden resort in Crowhill. The owner, Mr Njanji, worked hard to produce a tropical paradise. The place boasts a variety of indigenous and tropical plants, which present a good relaxing venue for guests.

The garden is suitable for picnics, parties, festivals and weddings. In short, it is a good hideout.

President Mnangagwa recently urged Zimbabweans to protect trees and wildlife, and to beautify our environments. This is also the thrust of our green-up campaign.

Thus, this week, we explore how one can successfully create a tropical garden paradise, as has been done by Mr Njanji at his place.

To start with, choose the correct plants, especially those with large leaves and bold texture to get that tropical feel. Plants like banana trees, palms and philodendrons will do the trick.

Try to match plants by choosing ones that have the same growing needs for easier maintenance. Use a repetitive planting scheme to create a jungle outlook. You need to take care of the water needs of the garden. This can be achieved by ensuring you have a reliable source of water to keep the soil moist all the time.

For a tropical design, always include a water feature — either a large pond or a waterfall — or anything that will add intrigue to the design.

Set your plants in layers by placing trees at the back and shrubs according to height, with smaller ground covers at the front.

Another design concept is having focal points in the garden to enhance its viewpoint, whilst, at the same time, using vibrant colours to have a dynamic look.

Finally, tropical gardens need growth to look good. As such, the garden must be well-fed with lots of manure and fertilisers.

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