Q: I'm relatively new to Maryland, but I've always been drawn to the tropical-looking aesthetic of botanical gardens. I realize it's too cold for most tropical people to survive outside, but is there a way to achieve this look with hardy plants?
A: Sure if you're in one of the Piedmont or Coastal Plains counties (most of Baltimore) and some locales (or close to). Most of the tropical vibe comes from the big leaves, but sometimes the bright colors and big flowers add to the ambiance. I will focus on the leaves as this is the most restricted group.
With its growing popularity, you may be familiar with the papaya (Asimina triloba), our native fruit tree that thrives on understorey plants and has relatively large leaves. A lesser known candidate with larger leaves is the aptly named magnolia. The big-leaved magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is not part of Maryland's native plant community, but it grows here and may be easier to find than the umbrella tree (M. tripetala), which is native, but rare in this state. Even the native cucumber tree (M. acuminata) has leaves that rival those of papaya leaves.
For area enthusiasts, some species of small palm can survive moderate winter temperatures. The odds are in your favor due to the warmer winters. These include the milled palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and the needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix).
You may be surprised to learn that there are sustainable bananas you can grow in Maryland. It is not used for fruit, but it has leaves the same size as humans and certainly makes an unforgettable impression. Technically a perennial herb in that it does not form woody stems, Japanese banana (Musa basjoo) grows as tall as a small tree, dying off completely in winter, but growing fast enough to regain its full height in summer. A little extra cover in winter can help crowns weather the cold, and I've seen them overwinter in southern Pennsylvania and eastern Connecticut. When in bloom, they can actually become garden stalkers and spread to larger colonies. To be fair, Pawpaw could also do it if he's bad.
Reports vary about the hardness of the golden lotus banana (Musella lasiocarpa), but it is generally good if we have mild winters, especially considering the benefits of the local climate. (I've seen it dormant in DC) A cousin of the banana, this shrub-sized feature has large, bluish-tipped leaves and large yellow flowers that look like lotuses with pointed petals. The leaves are stronger and more intact than banana leaves and may remind you a bit of a bird of paradise. Try one out and challenge your plant-obsessed friends to find out.
The billiard yucca (Yucca rostrata) is another lovely, rugged plant, its general appearance somewhat similar to that of a palm tree, although it is a true yucca, only larger than we are used to seeing it. The starry blue sky slowly forms a "stem", a stark contrast to the common garden plants. Native to Texas in Mexico, it does well here (I've seen it in southern Pennsylvania too) as long as there is good drainage.
Q: Should I be worried about the fall cover crops in my garden becoming weeds? Are they going to plant everywhere?
Answer: Usually no, because they die over winter (and their droppings serve as cover) or during or after flowering and before planting in spring (mid to late April in central Maryland). Occasionally, some may escape planting and appear in natural areas, but not to the extent that they are currently invasive. You can learn more about using cover crops and when to plant and trim them on our garden cover plants page.
The University of Maryland Lawn and Garden Information Center has free garden and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic . Click "Ask Extension" to send questions and photos.
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