by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: November 29, 2008   Last Updated: August 10, 2010

If you are trying to create a unique garden or backyard atmosphere, you may be hoping to make it look exotic, or look a lot less like every other garden in the neighborhood. Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes exotic, but no one can argue that a tropical looking garden in a non-tropical climate would certainly look exotic. The great thing about creating a tropical atmosphere no matter where you live is that because the things you purchase to plant will multiply, you will be able to expand your garden and make it look mush more lush without having to purchase additional plants.

Here is a look at some fabulously exotic plants and flowering plants that anyone can plant without breaking the budget.

*Canna Lilies -

Cannas vary greatly in size, the color of the leaves, the color of the flowers and the type and shape of the flowers. Cannas grow from rhizomes, and those rhizomes will multiply quickly, especially if you live in a place where you can leave the rhizomes in the ground. Eventually, as the plants start to expand, you will have such an abundance of cannas in that original area that you will need to thin them out.

To do that, you will want to use a sharp garden knife and cut into the rhizome, taking part of the root system with you. If you don't get some of the roots, that' okay. As long as you've got a well developed piece of the rhizome and can plant that immediately, it should bounce back rather quickly.

*Hibiscuses -

Hibiscuses are wonderful for adding an exotic touch to a garden. There are tropical varieties that are absolutely gorgeous and that can be grown in pots in places that aren't hardy enough for them (which unfortunately, is most of the United States.) On the other hand, there are hardy varieties of hibiscus, including Rose of Sharon which is one of the easiest hibiscuses to grow. These will survive the winter without any problem, but will benefit from a heavy layer of mulch over the roots.

Hibiscuses are available in varying colors and flower sizes, and some varieties even produce double flowers. Another great thing about hibiscuses is that they produce seeds very easily. Unless you are very zealous about deadheading the spent flowers and doing so before the flower falls off and the seed pod starts to develop, they can produce seeds for every flower that dies. Although that can be rather nice, it does have it's drawbacks because to get those seeds, you have to sacrifice further flower production.

*Brugmansia and Datura -

If you

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