6 Unusual and Unexpected Things to Grow in Your Garden
Best of Home & Garden
6 Unusual and Unexpected Things to Grow in Your Garden
We asked business owners and arborists for their best advice on growing unusual things in the garden, and their answers might surprise you. From growing kiwifruit at home to cultivating super-hot peppers, here are six tips for your most unique garden yet.
- Grow Kiwifruit at Home
- Grow Blueberries for Beauty and Flavor
- Cultivate Avocado Trees in Unexpected Climates
- Grow a Banana Tree
- Plant Dwarf Fruit Trees in Small Spaces
- Grow Super-Hot Peppers at Home
Grow Kiwifruit at Home
One of the most unusual things I’ve successfully grown in my garden is kiwifruit. While they’re commonly associated with more extensive commercial orchards, you can grow kiwifruit in a home garden—even in cooler climates with a suitable variety, such as hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta). The key is to provide a strong trellis or support system, since the vines thrive, and to ensure you have both a male and female plant for pollination.
I recommend planting kiwifruit in a sunny location with well-drained soil, pruning regularly to manage growth, and being patient, as it may take a few years before the vines start producing fruit. For those in colder regions, protect the plants during harsh winters and consider varieties bred for hardiness.
Grow Blueberries for Beauty and Flavor
As an experienced florist with a decade of hands-on experience, one of the most unusual things I've successfully grown in my garden is blueberries. While they're not entirely unexpected as a garden crop, what surprised me was how well they thrived alongside my more traditional flowers and plants. I initially planted them for their aesthetic appeal—those vibrant blue berries against lush-green foliage are stunning—but I quickly discovered their versatility. Not only did they add a unique touch to my garden, but they also provided delicious, fresh fruit that I could incorporate into floral arrangements or use in desserts for special occasions.
For anyone looking to try growing blueberries, my best advice is to pay attention to their specific needs. Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, so it's essential to test your soil pH and amend it accordingly if necessary. Additionally, these plants prefer full sun and benefit from consistent watering, especially during dry spells. When planting, consider incorporating companion plants that can help create a microclimate for them, such as azaleas or rhododendrons, which also enjoy acidic conditions.
Cultivate Avocado Trees in Unexpected Climates
As an arborist with over two decades of experience, the most unexpected success in my garden was cultivating a thriving avocado tree in Sydney's climate. Despite avocados typically favoring warmer regions, I managed to create a microclimate by planting it against a north-facing wall and using strategic windbreaks. The key was selecting a cold-hardy variety and providing excellent drainage through raised beds with a mix of sandy loam and organic matter. Regular deep watering during dry spells and applying a thick layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature were crucial.
For those wanting to try growing unconventional plants, my advice is to thoroughly research your local climate conditions and the plant's specific needs. Don't be afraid to experiment with microclimates in your yard—even small changes in sun exposure, wind protection, or soil composition can make a big difference. Patience is also essential, as it may take several seasons for a plant to fully adapt and thrive in its new environment.
Grow a Banana Tree
One of the most unusual things I have successfully grown in my garden is a banana tree, right here in Texas. It took a lot of care since the climate is not ideal, but with good mulching and protection during colder months, it thrived. My advice for anyone trying to grow something out of the ordinary is to understand your local climate and make adjustments, like creating microclimates or using containers to move plants when needed. Be patient, experiment, and do not be afraid to fail; that is how you learn what works.
Plant Dwarf Fruit Trees in Small Spaces
As a landscape business owner, one of the most unusual things I've grown is dwarf fruit trees. While most people think of fruit trees as towering giants, there are varieties that only grow 6-10 feet tall, perfect for a home garden.
For example, I have a dwarf cherry tree in my own yard that produces hundreds of cherries each year and has never grown taller than 8 feet. The key is choosing a self-pollinating dwarf variety, providing plenty of sunlight, and regular pruning to control the height.
Dwarf fruit trees are ideal for home gardens and patios with limited space. For anyone wanting to try their hand at dwarf fruit trees, start with something easy like cherries, peaches, or apples. Once established, they require little maintenance beyond annual pruning, fertilizing, and pest control. The reward of bushels of homegrown fruit from a tree not much bigger than a large shrub is well worth the effort.
Grow Super-Hot Peppers at Home
The most unexpected thing I've grown successfully is hot peppers, specifically ghost peppers. While I started with milder jalapeño and serrano peppers, I decided to push the limits of my horticultural know-how by trying some of the hottest peppers in the world. After a few failed attempts, I finally produced a bumper crop of ghost peppers that exceeded 1 million on the Scoville scale.
The keys to success were starting the seedlings indoors, transplanting into nutrient-rich soil after the last frost, and consistent watering and fertilizing. Hot peppers need warmth, sunlight, and a long growing season to reach full potency.
For anyone wanting an unusual challenge in the garden, I recommend trying hot peppers. Do your research, start with a more moderate variety, and be very careful when handling the peppers—especially the super-hots. The peppers may be small, but they pack an explosive amount of heat. With the proper precautions and patience, you'll be harvesting some of the most uniquely spicy crops around.
As Director of Marketing for Champion Distinctive Landscaping, one of the most unusual plants I've grown is dwarf bougainvillea. While bougainvillea thrives in warm climates, the dwarf variety can work even for home gardeners in colder zones with the right care. We started the seedlings in a greenhouse, then transplanted and pruned the plants to maximize flowering.
Using drip irrigation and fertilizer spikes, we were able to coax hundreds of colorful blooms from plants less than 2 feet tall. The key is finding a sheltered location with plenty of light, pruning frequently, and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Bougainvillea may seem exotic, but with the proper cultivar and technique, dwarf bougainvillea can produce a tropical display north of the Mason-Dixon line.
For gardeners seeking to push the envelope in their region, do research to select plants suited to your conditions. Start seedlings early, use season-extension techniques, provide plenty of light and nutrition while allowing good drainage. While bougainvillea demands more work, a flourishing sea of brazen blooms makes the effort worthwhile. With the right care, gardeners in unlikely places can achieve the seemingly impossible.
