We are beginning to see glimmers of summer, and we are all excited and ready to experience the joys of the season. Summer is about having fun, relaxing, and creating memories.
The busy year and warmer weather have enhanced our need for a tropical escape. Bring paradise home and create a tropical oasis in your backyard! Make your home an oasis and enjoy your private retreat every day.
Designing Your Tropical Retreat
We all dream of being on a white sandy beach—feet in the water, a cold drink in hand, and the sun warming our skin. But why not bring that tropical escape home?
Not only is creating a tropical garden easier than you might think, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Your outdoor space can become a personal oasis, a place of beauty and calm where you can unwind and recharge.
Skip the stress of travel, with the right design, you can enjoy vacation vibes anytime! Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a space to entertain friends and family, you can transform your surroundings into a lush, tropical escape that feels like paradise.
There are a few key design elements that bring a tropical oasis to life. Thoughtfully placed lighting, soothing water features, and stylish outdoor décor all help set the mood—but the true stars of a tropical escape are the plants. Lush greenery and vibrant foliage are what truly transform a space into a personal paradise.
Selecting the Right Plants
The perfect tropical-inspired outdoor space calls for bold foliage, vibrant flowering plants, colorful pottery, and striking vertical accents. Tropical plants bring a lush, layered feel—full of texture, color, and giving island vibes.
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, you’ll find an amazing selection of plants to help turn your space into a tropical paradise.
Need a little inspiration? Here are 6 fantastic options that thrive in Texas and will bring bold tropical beauty to your garden!
1 – HIBISCUS
Hibiscus is a must-have for your home retreat! The bold blooms and glossy foliage are the essence of paradise. When selecting your Hibiscus plant variety, consider the planting location and the Hibiscus hardiness.
There are two different types of Hibiscus, annual tropical and perennial. Tropical Hibiscus does not like outdoor temperatures below 50 degrees F. They are best grown in containers so you can easily move them indoors during the cooler months. Their prolific blooms thrive in sunshine and flowering will be less during the winter when light is limited. Next spring, move them back onto your patio, you will continue to love their vibrant blooms.
Tradewinds® Hibiscus is a sun-loving semi-tropical shrub. It thrives in light and warmth and does best in 4 hours of daily sun. Tropical Hibiscus plants produce daily flowers from spring to fall, and the blooms are excellent for cutting and displaying in a floral arrangement. The most important aspect to your Hibiscus care is watering, be sure not to let it dry out. Tropical Hibiscus prefer slightly moist soil and need daily watering, especially when planted in containers. Proper watering will also prompt the blooms to open faster so you can enjoy the gorgeous colors.
2 – HOSTA
Hosta is a perennial favorite for shade gardens and an ideal choice for your tropical backyard design. They are low maintenance and provide lush tropical-like foliage that remain dense and low to the ground. Hostas originated from East Asia and were brought to Europe in the 1700’s. They are a variety that gives some of us nostalgia from our parents or grandparents’ gardens. Today, there are thousands of different varieties available in a range of green hues, leaf sizes, and fun textures.
When planting Hostas, good drainage is important. Keep roots moist when freshly planted. Once they are established, they are very tolerant of drought-like conditions and will thrive in our Texas summer.
3 – FIREBUSH
Firebush is a bold and colorful tropical shrub that adds vibrant energy to gardens and container plantings. Known for its striking red-orange tubular flowers and lush green foliage, Firebush blooms consistently from spring through fall, providing a long season of interest. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it handles sunny spots with ease once established. With its fast-growing, bushy form and foliage that will turn reddish in cooler temperatures, Firebush works well as a hedge, backdrop, or standalone accent in tropical and subtropical landscapes. Low-maintenance and resilient, it’s an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add lasting color and texture to their outdoor spaces.
4 – THRYALLIS
Thryallis is a beautiful, low-maintenance tropical shrub prized for its bright yellow flowers and fine-textured green foliage. Blooming continuously from spring through fall in our North Texas landscapes, it adds a cheerful pop of color to gardens, borders, and container plantings. Thryallis thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a hardy choice once established. Its compact, upright form makes it ideal for use as a hedge, accent plant, or backdrop in mixed tropical beds. Resistant to pests and easy to shape with light pruning, Thryallis is a reliable and attractive addition to any tropical or subtropical landscape.
5 – ELEPHANT EARS
Elephant Ears are the perfect choice for adding a tropical feel to your patio or landscape. The bold and striking foliage features large decorative veining leaves that resemble an Elephant’s Ear. They have several uses in your garden and can be used as background plants, as edging along walkways, and for a beautiful focal point in your tropical backyard design.
Elephant Ears are easy to grow and prefer rich and moist soil to thrive. Choose upright Elephant Ears (Colocasias) for sunny areas and down swept Elephant Ears (Alocasias) for your shady gardens. Water regularly, even when established. This fantastic tropical plant can thrive in flowerbeds or containers. During the winter, Elephant Ears can be grown indoors and treated like a houseplant. When temperatures start to cool, you can simply dig it up and transplant it into a container. For easier gardening, grow them year-round in your favorite pottery so you can easily move them indoors.
5 – PLUMBAGO
Plumbago, also known as sky flower, is a stunning tropical plant that brings vibrant color and lush greenery to gardens and containers alike. With its clusters of soft sky-blue or white flowers and its sprawling growth habit, it brings a relaxed, breezy charm to any outdoor setting. Plumbago thrives in our Texas sun and well-drained soil, making it an easy-care choice for gardeners seeking long-lasting blooms. Plus, it’s a magnet for butterflies, adding even more life to your garden sanctuary.
Care Tips for Your Tropical Paradise
Your tropical plants need rich, well-draining soils to thrive. When planting flowerbeds, use Calloway’s Premium Flowerbed Garden Soil to provide optimal conditions for vibrant blooms and healthy foliage.
When planting in containers, use Calloway’s Premium Container Potting Soil for results that you will love. Our potting soil contains essential ingredients to help your plants get the best start for healthier, continued growth.
Keep your tropical paradise thriving with quality plant food! Enjoy more beautiful foliage and vibrant blooms with Calloway’s Premium Tropical Plant Food. Our 15-5-10 special formula will help your tropical plants have healthier growth.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have just what you need to create your tropical oasis! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of seasonal blooms, fantastic pottery, indoor plants, fresh vegetables, stately trees and shrubs, and so much more! Shop one of our 29 neighborhood stores, serving our loyal customers for over 38 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!