Tropical gardens have come into their own in the past decade. While true tropical will only thrive in the mildest climates, subtropicals can be surprisingly hearty in moderate climates.

Cold-climate gardeners who are willing to take on the task of overwintering plants, or starting anew every spring, can also enjoy this style of garden during the summer.

Lush, large foliage and standout colors are key components of a tropical garden, and there are few, if any, bare spots between plants.

A surprisingly large range of architectural styles, from contemporary to Mediterranean to Asian, shows off these plants to best advantage, but if you love the style but don't think it works well with your home, consider creating a small tropical "scene" with containers or around a pool.