Tropical Garden Plants UK
As season three of The White Lotus unfolds against the backdrop of Thailand’s lush coastline, viewers are once again mesmerised—not just by the drama, but by the landscapes. Set at the opulent Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, the show’s garden scenes are a masterclass in tropical design: layered, immersive, and teeming with life.
The man behind the magic? Famed landscape architect Bill Bensley, who retained over 850 coconut palms from the resort’s original plantation, weaving them into a garden that’s as cinematic as the plot itself. It’s exotic, yet grounded in nature—wildly beautiful, yet cultivated with care.
Plant Stars of the Set
The show features a palette of tropical plants that ooze luxury and lushness:
- Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus): With its glossy, rippled foliage, this fern brings soft texture and jungle-like volume to shaded spaces.
- Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa): Adds vibrant pinks and reds to the green tapestry—bold, structural, and unmistakably tropical.
- Orchids: Often tucked among palm trunks or perched in decorative urns, these are the ultimate symbol of exotic elegance.
- Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): With its dramatic orange and blue flowers that resemble a tropical bird in flight, this plant adds architectural flair and is a clear visual highlight in many of the show’s garden shots.
A Norfolk Take on Tropical
You might not have Thai sunshine all year round, but that doesn’t mean you can’t echo this tropical look in a UK garden. At The Norfolk Olive Tree Company, we’re firm believers in garden escapism—and we’ve got the palms and plants to prove it.
Try these White Lotus-inspired picks from our collection:
- Butia capitata (Pindo Palm): With its graceful, feather-like fronds and a surprising tolerance to colder climates, this palm is ideal for creating that White Lotus wow-factor right here in Norfolk. Think gentle sway, silvery green foliage, and a strong Mediterranean-Tropical vibe.
- Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill Palm): Hardy and stately, this palm gives height and elegance—perfect for echoing those Koh Samui silhouettes.
- Bird of Paradise: While it’s more suited to container gardening in the UK, this show-stopper thrives in sunny summer spots and can be brought indoors when temperatures dip.
- Fatsia japonica: Native to Japan but stylistically spot on, its bold, glossy leaves make it a great choice for filling out tropical schemes in shady corners.
Design Tips: How to Capture the Vibe
- Layered Planting: Mix tall palms with mid-level shrubs and low-growing exotics for depth and drama.
- Feature Pots: Use decorative urns and containers to house tender tropicals like Birds of Paradise or Cordyline.
- Natural Textures: Incorporate teak benches, stone lanterns, or pebble pathways to hint at Southeast Asian serenity.
A Garden Escape, Inspired by TV
The White Lotus has done more than deliver drama—it’s redefined garden goals. If you’ve found yourself pausing mid-episode to admire a palm or scroll online to ID that pink-leaved plant, you’re not alone.
At The Norfolk Olive Tree Company, we’re here to help you recreate your own slice of paradise. Tropical Garden Plants UK, rooted right at home.
