Gardeners turn to tropical plants as climate change helps them thrive in our soil
Gardeners are turning to tropical plants as makes it easier for them to thrive in our soil. Along with milder winters and warmer summers, sales of exotic species are also soaring because of Covid. Many Britons who have missed out on sunshine breaks have bought plants which remind them of trips abroad. Young gardeners looking to show off their prowess on social media are also fuelling the trend. Popular plants include citrus fruits, palms, olives, figs, grapevines and even palm and banana trees, which are being grown as far north as Yorkshire. Gardeners World host Monty Don has an olive tree in his plot in Herefordshire and has urged viewers to follow suit. Online site Gardening Express said it sells 60,000 palms and 10,000 banana plants a year. Director Chris Bonnett said: People are getting keener to buy plants they have seen on holiday, especially now they can no longer get away. That may be Mediterranean species or those more associated with the Tropics, such as bananas. Musa basjoo is very easy to grow and will survive reliably across much of the UK these days. This year, we have had batches of banana plants sell out out within a week. Paramount Plants, north London, said sales of olive trees, pomegranates and figs have doubled in recent years.