Tropical Plants in Benicia - Benicia, CA Patch

Tropical Plants in Benicia - Benicia, CA Patch: "Q: I really want a tropical look in my garden but I am not sure what plants I can use to get that look. I have a few gardenias, but they are a little spindly. I have a bougainvillea but it gets so big that it needs to be cut back all the time and never seems to flower much. In some winters, it freezes and it doesn’t even look good for months!. What else can I do?

A: This is the time of year when people are having their final outdoor celebrations before school and the impending long cold California winter. It is not unusual to see Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops on the street. That means it’s the time of year when tropical plants are looking their best, luring you with their colorful, leafy splendor."