Ornamental Plants

• At the onset of agriculture, plants were mainly grown for practical reasons. Plants could provide food and medicine and were used for pest management and tool making. As ancient civilizations began to grow and prosper, people began to use plants purely for aesthetic purposes. There is evidence that ornamental gardens were grown in ancient Egypt, Persia, China, Rome and Greece, according to the European Garden Heritage Network. An ornamental plant is any plant grown strictly for its appearance or decorative purposes, rather than its uses. Ornamental plants can be used in landscapes or grown in containers for decorative touches on patios or indoors.
  
  

Tropical Plants

• Tropical plants are plants native to tropical climates. According to the "American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening," a tropical climate is characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Rainfall may be year-round or seasonal. The moist, warm atmosphere is conducive to lush, evergreen vegetation. Tropical regions can be found across the globe along the equator, including in Central America (including the Caribbean islands), the northern regions of South America, western and central Africa, southern Asia and the northernmost tips of Australia. The only truly tropical climates in the United States can be found on the southern tip of Florida and in Hawaii. Growing tropical plants outside of a tropical climate can be challenging because few will tolerate frosts or droughts. To grow tropical plants, one must live in a mild climate, have a greenhouse or grow plants in containers indoors, either full time or over winter.
  
  

Popular Tropical Ornamental Plants

• Large leaves, delicate sprays and showy blooms are common traits of tropical ornamental plants. Any type of palm trees will contribute spectacularly to a tropical landscape, including the pygmy date palm or the Florida royal palm. Lilies, such as Crinum spp., or lilium hybrids are tropical perennials that produce colorful blooms. Another exotic blooming, highly coveted tropical ornamental is the Strelitzia reginae, otherwise known as Bird of Paradise for its long, slender petals that are reminiscent of birds in flight. Bougainvillea bloom profusely when planted in full sun and can be used as ground covers or shrubs, though with support the vines will climb and provide height.
  
  

Tropical-looking Ornamentals

• For some people, growing true tropical plants is impossible due to the climate they live in. An alternative is to seek out plants that have tropical characteristics but grow in other climates. For example, some palm trees, such as the cabbage palm and European fan palm, can be grown as far north as zone 7. Any lilies that are cold hardy and suited to grow in your region will lend to the tropical motif. Some species are hardy enough to be grown as far north as zone 3. Colchicums and Crocosmia are exotic-looking and not restricted to tropical climates, and anything with fern-like foliage will help fill in gaps for a lusher looking landscape or potted arrangement.