How to Plant a Louisiana Tropical Garden Flower Bed

Measure the garden bed. Plot the measurements on graph paper, one square per foot. Mark the existing trees, plants, walks and other features you plan to incorporate in the garden. Note the sun and wind directions with arrows.

Sketch the shapes and sizes of the full-grown trees and shrubs on the graph paper. Note the shady areas before determining the types and locations of annuals and perennials. Generally, the largest shrubs and plants are planted in the back of the garden bed and the shortest in front.

Select a tree for the garden. While palm trees provide height and small amounts of shade, the magnolia tree is a traditional southern choice. A smaller variety such as the Magnolia zenii or Magnolia globosa does not overwhelm a garden bed like the 90-foot-tall Magnolia grandiflora. Fig, persimmon, nectarine and plum trees are among the fruit trees that thrive in the long hot summers.

Choose hardy shrubs with a tropical flair such as hardy hibiscus, needle palm, giant bird of paradise, fatsia and gardenias. Other plants that thrive in Louisiana's climate include the Brugmansia arborea "Angel's Trumpet," ferns, Louisiana iris, cannas, gladiolas and angelonia.

Dig the garden bed with a shovel, removing the grass. The garden must drain well due to Louisiana's heavy rains; add more soil or compost to raise the bed 4 to 6 inches if necessary. Surround the flower bed with old bricks, large river rocks or cypress branches or logs. Rake the soil smooth.

Arrange the plants, still in the pots, in the planned locations. Ensure that the full-grown plants will not obscure the smaller plants. For example, hardy hibiscus plants are sold in 1-gallon pots. However, the full-grown shrub is anywhere from 3 to 10 feet tall, depending on the variety.

Dig each planting hole slightly deeper than the pot and three times wider. Amend the soil as necessary according to each plant's needs. Remove from the pots and gently place in the planting hole. Unwind roots on pot-bound plants and spread, then cover with soil up to the original level in the pot. Water thoroughly.

Unroll the drip-watering hose and wind through the plants. Attach emitters so water is provided at each root ball. Trees require three to five emitters, arranged around the drip line of the outer branches. Loop the hose inward for the first few years so the tree receives water at the root ball; pull it further out as the tree grows.

Cover the soil with 3 to 4 inches of mulch, pulling the mulch back 4 inches from each plant's stem. Wet mulch resting against a plant's stem encourages rot and provides a hiding place for pests.