Welcome to Alum Chine Tropical Gardens, one of Bournemouth’s Gardens Of Excellence.  This award-winning garden was replanted in the mid 90’s to take advantage of the mild microclimate that exists along this stretch of coastline. 

There are many exotic and unusual plants in the garden and we have listed 20 of them for you to discover. If you would like any further information please call Leisure Services on 01202 451696.

1. Muehlenbeckia complexa The Maidenhair Vine is a deciduous creeping or climbing plant from New Zealand, noted for its intricate habit and minute foliage.  The flowers are small but sweetly scented. Reasonably hardy, does well in hanging baskets.

2. Puja alpestris A bromeliad distantly related to the pineapple, its spiny leaves and unusual flowers make it an unusual specimen. In its native habitat of Chile, it can grow up to 10 metres in height. It will only survive the lightest frosts and a very free draining soil.

3. Myosotidium hortensia  A very rare plant in its native New Zealand, it was discovered by Captain Cook. As the name suggests it’s flowers looks like Myosotis (Forget-me-not) but it is a perennial with deep veined fleshy foliage. Ideal for seaside gardens, but needs protection below 17 degrees centigrade.

4. Cynara cardunculus The Cardoon is used both as a vegetable and an ornamental architectural perennial. Its deeply cut silver foliage and thistle-like blooms make it an invaluable plant for the back of the border. Will clump to a considerable size.

5. Beschorneria yucciodes - A native of Mexico, these frost tender plants are often mistaken for Agaves until showy brick-red bracts and branches appear in summer. They will grow in a sheltered position in favoured maritime temperate climates such as Bournemouth.

6. Echium pinniana Another spectacular plant from the Canary Islands, where it is now endangered through loss of habitat to agriculture. Its flower stems reach 4 metres in height and are covered in tiny blue flowers. It is barely frost hardy and will die after flowering. Best grown from seed which is easily available.

7. Musa lasiocarpa One of the hardiest bananas of the bunch, this particular species is from South East Asia and is often called the Himalayan Banana. It needs rich soil, lots of water and a protected spot in winter. Cold and Wet often kill them rather than frost. Protect by wrapping straw around the crown in winter.

8. Crinum moorei A stunning bulb from South Africa, closely related to the amaryllis. It has tall (90cm in height) white suffused pink flowers with large glossy leaves. Once established it easily bulks up providing flowers in the height of summer. Can tolerate temperatures of -5 degrees centigrade.

9. Geranium maderense Nearly everyone maybe familiar with the Geranium, but this Madeiran species is truly spectacular. Its foliage is impressive but the flowers form a mass rosette of purple throughout the year. Easy to grow from seed, it is a must for the sheltered corner of a garden.

10. Farfugeum japonicum ‘Aureo-maculata’ This Japanese plant is a must for any tropical collection with its fantastic variegation of mottled yellow spots. It is only cold tolerant though to -5 degrees centigrade although it can be used as a houseplant.

11. Pseudopanax ferox This unusual New Zealand plant called the Toothed Lancewood provides a fascinating architectural feature to the Tropical Gardens. It has many interesting stages of growth in its life and is used as a street tree in the Antipodes.

12. Trachycarpus fortunei The Chusan Palm is a common sight along the south coast and is the hardiest palm in cultivation. It can grow up to 20 metres in height but is very slow growing and needs protection from wind otherwise the foliage will shred. It seeds freely in the garden.

13. Paulownia  tormentosa The foxglove tree is a native of East Asia, growing in deciduous montane woodland at altitudes of up to 1800 metres (5850 ft). They are often grown as street trees in Southern Europe, but are weeds elsewhere. Flowering rarely in the UK, late frosts often spoil the bloom. If pollarded they can produce huge leaves for a tropical effect. 

14. Hedichyum densiflorum ‘Tara’ The ginger lily is a superb addition to any tropical collection. This perennial species originates from the Himalayas, and have beautiful showy scented flowers in July and August. Only for the mildest climates though.

15. Lampranthus These shrubby succulent plants also originate from the Cape Province and have the brightest coloured flowers produced over long periods during the summer. They prefer full sun in a low fertility, well drained soil,  perfect in Bournemouth’s sand soil!

16. Tetrapanax papyrifera  A superb architectural plant, which originates from Taiwan, it is often used in tropical borders. Its leaves when young are covered in a thick layer of white felted hairs, and then progress to a huge size. A very impressive plant.

17. Agave americana - Another native of Mexico, the agave has a number of commercial uses, one of which is the basic ingredient of tequila. It must have free draining soil and will only stand a minimum temperature of 7 degrees centigrade, best planted in a pot.

18. Lomatia ferruginea This Patagonian evergreen is rarely seen in the U.K. but is relatively hardy in Southern England. The flowers are interesting and attractive, blooming late spring or summer and are often used by florists.

19. Correa  An Australian plant which is found predominantly on heathland and in sandy rocky coastal habitats. It’s flowers are valued for their neat habit and vivid, nodding tubular flowers carried in late winter and early spring. Can withstand temperatures down to minus 5 centigrade. A must for a warm coastal garden.

20. Colletia armata A South Chilean deciduous shrub which will only tolerate the mildest of winters. Its unusual and very sharp spines make an interesting feature of this plant along with the very fragrant waxy-white flowers. Can tolerate shade.