Couple turns ‘bland’ backyard into jungle paradise after 10 years

By Lauren Beavis

A couple have spent 10 years transforming their garden into a jungle paradise — and say it is "thriving" in the heat wave.

Dave Robinson, 39, and Gemma Furby, 37, revamped their "bland" backyard into an exotic haven with over 200 tropical plants.

The couple bought the semi-detached home in Newport, Wales, in 2016, and when they moved in, Dave described it as a "blank canvas" with a big lawn and decking.

Today, the space is filled with exotic plant species with its own microclimate and fountains of foliage up to 14 feet tall from around the world.

Dave said their epic project that looks like a rainforest began with planting lots of cottage garden plants and vegetables.

But it was only after a visit to Madeira and the Eden Project in Cornwall that the couple were inspired to go more "sub-tropical."

And they say it is currently thriving in the heat wave baking Britain.

Dave, who has a passion for ferns and rare unusual plants, said: "We are incredibly proud what we have achieved in 10 years!

"Every year the growth shocks us, and things just get bigger and better.

"We never take it for granted and every day there is always something that catches our attention and surprises us!

"Plants are incredible things and every day is a school day when it comes to gardening.

"We all make mistakes and our garden is always changing and will always be a work in progress."

Over the years the couple have had many flowering bananas.

The garden contains tree ferns, schefflera, a flowering plant from New Zealand, tropical-looking shrubs named brassaiopsis, evergreens known as pseudopanax, hardy begonias, succulents sedums and many spikey plants.

Dave said: "We have a substantial selection of ferns, begonias and araliaceae along with many other tender tropicals.

"We also have one of the largest miscanthus grasses you can grow — standing at 14 feet tall."

Despite boasting incredibly rare species, the plant-loving couple have done all their garden work on a budget — spending most of their money on hard landscaping compost and feeds.

Dave said: "As we have been progressing the garden over 10 years it's hard to keep tabs on how much we have spent.

"We both have normal jobs, with Gem being a nurse for the NHS and myself working at a garden center.

"Apart from tree ferns, most of the plants we have have been grown from cuttings, seeds and propagation along with plant swaps!

"We want people to know that anyone can create a slice of tropical paradise: the main thing we recommend is do your homework on plants, and find the right plant for the right place."

The pair said that their garden is "thriving in this heat" as a red weather warning is currently in place across South Wales — but they have to water it every day.

Dave said: "Being a small garden, we have created a perfect microclimate to grow exotics and with milder winters and hotter summers it's surprising what can be achieved here in the UK these days.

"A few years ago lots of the plants we grow wouldn't normally survive our winters.

"With the exceptional heat, it needs lots of watering but apart from that it now looks after itself — generally only tree ferns get a soak every day when the weather is more reasonable!

"Due to the big plants around we have created lots of dappled shade for the more shade-loving plants."

The pair have shared their garden transformation on social media over the last few years, and it even got Dave his dream job offer at a garden center.

He said: "I am now lucky enough to work for Millbrook Garden Centre in Monmouth which stocks incredible exotic plants — they gave me the opportunity to work there after they saw my garden three years ago!"

Dave said their 7-year-old son, Arlo, also loves spending time in the garden.

He added: "Before we bought the house we lived in a middle story flat with no garden, so we love doing something different.

"Not only that but we can now open the garden to make money for local charities and organizations."

The lush space will be open to the public on July 25 and they hope to raise money for the children's hospice Tŷ Hafan.