Best Exotic-Looking Flowers To Add Colour To A Tropical Inspired Garden In The UK

When you picture a tropical garden, you think of lush greenery, bold textures, and vibrant splashes of colour. Fortunately, you don't need to live in the tropics to create that effect - plenty of plants can bring exotic beauty to a UK garden, even if they aren't truly tropical. The trick is choosing flowers that not only look the part, but also cope well with the UK's seasons.

Here are some of the best exotic-looking flowers to help you add lasting colour and drama to a tropical-inspired garden right here at home. Combine these vivid flowers with lush, architectural plants like bananas, tree ferns, tetrapanax, and palms, and you'll have a garden that feels like a private paradise, no matter what the weather's doing outside.

Canna Lilies (Canna indica)

Few plants shout "tropical" more than cannas. With their bold, paddle-shaped leaves and striking flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, they bring instant drama to borders or large containers. Cannas love warm, sheltered spots and rich, moist soil. In milder parts of the UK, you can overwinter them in the ground with a mulch, but in colder areas, it's safer to lift the rhizomes and store them frost-free until spring.

Hedychium (Ginger Lilies)

Ginger lilies offer large, often fragrant flowers and broad, architectural foliage that fits perfectly into a tropical-themed space. Species like Hedychium densiflorum and Hedychium 'Tara' are among the hardier options for UK gardens, and their bright orange or soft yellow flowers emerge from late summer into autumn, just when other displays are starting to fade. A sheltered position and rich soil will keep them happiest.

Dahlias

Although native to Mexico rather than the tropics, dahlias fit seamlessly into an exotic-style garden with their bright, bold blooms and dramatic presence. Choose large, flamboyant varieties like 'Bishop of Llandaff' for rich reds or go for dinner-plate dahlias for even more impact. Dahlias enjoy full sun, regular feeding, and lifting for winter storage unless you're in a very mild part of the country.

Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemerias bring masses of vibrant, long-lasting flowers in a huge range of tropical-looking colours, from intense oranges and pinks to clear yellows and reds. They offer a more delicate, intricate appearance but still add serious colour to borders and containers. Once established, many varieties are surprisingly hardy in the UK and will flower from early summer right through to the first frosts.

Begonias

Begonias are incredibly versatile plants that fit perfectly into a tropical-style garden. Tuberous begonias, in particular, offer large, flamboyant flowers in bright shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow - bringing bursts of exotic colour to shadier spots where many sun-loving tropicals struggle. Their bold, often glossy foliage also helps create a lush, layered effect under taller plants.

For maximum impact, look for varieties with larger leaves and vibrant flowers, and grow them in containers or sheltered borders. While begonias are tender and won't survive a hard frost, they can easily be lifted and stored over winter, making them a practical choice for UK gardeners wanting long-lasting summer colour.

Crocosmia

Crocosmias like 'Lucifer' or 'Emily McKenzie' offer arching sprays of fiery red, orange, or golden flowers that bring movement and brightness to a tropical-inspired border. The sword-like foliage also contributes to the lush, textured feel that's so key to the tropical look. They're hardy, easy to grow, and thrive in most UK gardens as long as they're planted somewhere sunny and well-drained.

Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia)

Calla lilies offer smooth, dramatic flowers in rich shades of white, purple, yellow, or pink. While some species are more tender, hardier types like Zantedeschia aethiopica can survive in milder areas with a little winter protection. Their glossy, lush leaves and sleek flowers look at home amongst more traditional tropical foliage like bananas and tree ferns.

Salvia 'Amistad'

For rich, saturated purple colour and a near-tropical feel, Salvia 'Amistad' is hard to beat. It produces tall spires of vivid flowers from early summer through to autumn and provides a striking contrast against larger-leaved plants. Salvias prefer a sunny, sheltered spot and well-drained soil, and in colder areas, a bit of mulch over winter helps them bounce back each year.

Brugmansia (Angel's Trumpet)

If you're willing to put in a little extra protection work, Brugmansias offer one of the most spectacular tropical effects you can get in the UK. These plants produce huge, hanging trumpet flowers in white, yellow, peach, or pink, often with a sweet evening fragrance. In most parts of the UK, they're best grown in large pots that can be moved into shelter over winter, or heavily protected if left outside.