Broadleaf evergreens/ tropical vibe for zone 6 Michigan?

[jaredthesir]

I think broadleaf evergreens are very useful in areas where palms don’t really grow. What broadleaf evergreen, or otherwise tropical looking plants, could I grow in Metro Detroit?

[Chester B]

I'm originally from Ontario so I can tell you what I remember growing and what was available before I moved here.

Broad leaf evergreens:

Rhododendrons (various types)

Azaleas (Various types)

Euonymous (various types)

Yuccas - various types.  Most common are filamentosa, flaccida but there are many species worth trying

Bamboo - Fargesia rufa, F robusta, Phyllostachys aurea

Prickly pear cactus

Pieris japonica

Boxwood

Kinnick kinnick - but there are other Arctostaphylos species that can take a serious amount of cold

Cotoneaster

 

Tropical looking:

Asimina triloba - Paw paws 

Mangolia grandiflora - big leaf magnolia

Hostas 

Elephant ears and cannas - you have to bring the bulbs into a cool place in winter

Kiwis

Clematis

Albizia julibrissen  - Mimosa tree

Hardy hibscus - Swamp mallows

Passionflower

Ferns

 

[jaredthesir]

39 minutes ago, Chester B said:

I'm originally from Ontario so I can tell you what I remember growing and what was available before I moved here.

Broad leaf evergreens:

Rhododendrons (various types)

Azaleas (Various types)

Euonymous (various types)

Yuccas - various types.  Most common are filamentosa, flaccida but there are many species worth trying

Bamboo - Fargesia rufa, F robusta, Phyllostachys aurea

Prickly pear cactus

Pieris japonica

Boxwood

Kinnick kinnick - but there are other Arctostaphylos species that can take a serious amount of cold

Cotoneaster

 

Tropical looking:

Asimina triloba - Paw paws 

Mangolia grandiflora - big leaf magnolia

Hostas 

Elephant ears and cannas - you have to bring the bulbs into a cool place in winter

Kiwis

Clematis

Albizia julibrissen  - Mimosa tree

Hardy hibscus - Swamp mallows

Passionflower

Ferns

 

Thanks for the list. I’m surprised to see Magnolia Grandiflora on there, I’m assuming they would defoliate?

Also I just looked at your profile, are you the Oregon guy with the YouTube channel? If so I’ve seen a lot of your palm videos. Nice stuff!

[Chester B]

31 minutes ago, jaredthesir said:

Thanks for the list. I’m surprised to see Magnolia Grandiflora on there, I’m assuming they would defoliate?

Also I just looked at your profile, are you the Oregon guy with the YouTube channel? If so I’ve seen a lot of your palm videos. Nice stuff!

ah darn - I meant Magnolia macrophyla.

There are some Magnolia grandiflora in Southern Ontario in what would be considered Niagara on the Lake - Zone 7a

If you look up the cultivar "Edith Bogue" many people report it hardy in zone 6.

Yes I do have that Youtube channel TropicalPDX.  Glad you enjoyed some of the videos.

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by Chester B