Why spend a lot of money and time staying at a tropical resort for a few days when you could spend every day in one? It is easy to create a tropical paradise right in your own backyard by following a few simple steps that VanderSalm’s Flowershop put together for you below. With a little time and effort, you could soon be on your way to relaxing and unwinding in your own slice of tropical paradise.

Transform Your Yard  into an Idyllic Retreat

Start with Plants – Lots of Them!

A key element of achieving the look of a lush and luxurious resort is to envelope yourself with lots of greenery. Plant bushes, trees, plants, shrubs, and foliage of all shapes, sizes, and variations of green for depth, dimension, and a “jungle-like” feel. Choose plants with large leaves for an exotic appearance and tall trees which will provide shade. Layer plants from tall to small for visual interest and to hide unsightly streets or neighboring houses. For touches of color, include plants with colorful leaves such as crotons, bromeliads, and the Hawaiian Ti plant.

Add Fragrant and Exotic Flowers

Richly-colored flowers add charm and excitement to any landscape. Exotic flowers take it a step further in transporting you to a faraway luxe resort. Pick exotic flowers such as orchids, Birds of Paradise, or Hibiscus for drama and intrigue. You can also create a charming container garden of flowers you can arrange in interesting groups or put wherever you desire a pop of color.

Incorporate a Water Feature

There is something about the sound of water that fosters a feeling of bliss and tranquility. If you live near a lake or stream, you already have one. If not, you could invest in a swimming pool, or keep it small with a wading pool or pond. Other water feature ideas include waterfall structures, birdbaths, or small gurgling fountains.

Include Natural Stone

Stone accents like a low wall or stone pathway are easy and inexpensive ideas for adding rustic charm to your tropical oasis. Cover the stones with vines or foliage to soften any harsh edges for a comforting and pastoral look.

Provide Comfort

Now that you have created a wonderful and relaxing part of paradise in your backyard, make sure you also have comfortable seating to enjoying it. Select chairs with lots of support made quality and durable fabric. Having a hammock is quite nice, too. If you live in a hot climate, a ceiling fan will work great at keeping the environment cool.

With such a relaxing, beautiful, and tranquil backyard, why would you want to go anywhere else for vacation? Now you have a serene and quiet place to unwind and entertain friends…and it’s all just outside your back door.