Exotic Garden

Tropical Colour

If you really want to get the tropical look, you'll need some colour in your garden. Canna lilies are a sub-tropical tender perennial (55 species in all) that come in a huge range of 'hot' colours. This variety, Durban Tropicanna, is available for £8.50 from Mulu, the online tropical plant specialists. Cannas are not hardy though, and should be treated like annuals in our frosty climate.
For more exotic plants, The Palm centre also sell cordylines (£9.95), ferns (£8.50), yuccas (from £12.50) and lemon trees (£24.50).

Out of Africa

To get the right feel for furniture and landscaping, think of a plantation house in Africa during the last century. Decking will give you the look you want. Furniture should be cane or cane look-alike, like this range from Emperor Furniture in London. Made out of a polyethylene material, it's dirt and weather resistant. The Derby Collection costs £220 for a chair and £400 for the table. Contact Emperor on (0800) 980 3134.

Funky Tropics

If you want to add a whacky tropical feel to your island paradise, how about this sunshade from Thatch International? It comes in a range of sizes - starting at 2.3 metres (2.5 yds) diameter, costing £300, up to a huge 5 metres (5.4 yds) for £1,600. Contact them on (01264) 861319 or see their website at Thatch International.

Cover up

Complete your tropical paradise by covering up more traditional fences with these screens made of bamboo, again from Thatch International. Sold in various heights, they cost between £55 and £85 for a 3 metre (3.2 yds) length.