"Chris Potts" wrote in message
...
Rosalyn wrote:
Hi,

I have recently come back from Cuba and love their gardens. Large red
and green leaves, a few red flowers and an overall lush feel.

I would like to recreate this in the UK, but my garden is almost all
in shade, a lot of it full shade. I also don't want to have to bring
plants in, or protect them over the winter. The plants do not need to
actually be tropical, just recreate that feel.

My ideas so far are fatsia japonica, tree ferns (and other ferns),
bamboo and rhubarb, either real or ornamental. I would love a
cordyline or phormium but think they prefer sun? And the same for
gunnera?

Any ideas gratefully welcomed.

thank you

Rosalyn

Hello Rosalyn

snip
One sort (Musa yunnan) has now
survived outside in this situation for three years. Over winter we
protect the stems to about three feet with reed wigwams (which in
themselves look quite decorative over winter) and the new banana leaves
appear above the reeds in May.

Chris can you remember where you got the yunnan/itinerans or was it grown
from seed? I ask because all I can do is kill it both inside and outside:-(

Chris Potts