IN TODAY'S increasingly dry climate we are looking towards plants from distant countries with hotter climates.

These plants were once only grown here in greenhouses owing to our harsh climate.

They were revered as status symbols by our Victorian ancestors but are now increasingly becoming permanent structures in our borders all over the country.

Lots of people want to use these plants or create a Mediterranean or even tropical effect but wonder how to go about this or what plants can they use.

I’m a great fan of these types of plants and of how aesthetically pleasing they can be, transforming what once was a boring space into a place of beauty.

If the weather is right you may even forget you’re in England.

The technique to remember is that the plants can be a mixture of Mediterranean/tropical plants along with shrubs and hardy species that look and give a tropical look, like Phormiums tenax.

This looks excellent throughout the whole year and is great value as you can get many varieties large and small with different colours.

Plants like olive trees, Catalpa (Indian bean tree) and Dicksonia Antarctica (Tree Ferns) are becoming more used within gardens and if used correctly look great.

Some plants like the olives and other varieties certainly deal with the increasing lack of rain full over the year and drier summer conditions make them a sensible choice in certain aspects, helping water conservation. The key to success is to create an evergreen background using a strong growing shrub.

You can set off the architectural shapes like cordylines and yuccas in front of these with colourful perennials like Canna lilies kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) drifting at the front to middle giving a fantastic display.

The whole point is to have a go at mixing combinations to achieve your desired effect. Good luck and happy planting.