Welcome to the jungle: South Wales garden transformed into tropical paradise

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, July 4, 2026

Dave Robinson, a resident of Newport, South Wales, has spent a decade transforming his suburban garden into a subtropical oasis with over 200 tropical plant species, including fruit trees and rare specimens. The garden, benefiting from milder UK climates, will open to the public on July 25 to raise funds for a children’s hospice and serves as a hub for a large community of tropical gardening enthusiasts in Wales.

A suburban garden in Newport, South Wales, has been transformed into a thriving subtropical sanctuary by local resident Dave Robinson. Over the past decade, Robinson, a former chef, and his partner, Gemma Furby, an NHS nurse, have cultivated a diverse collection of more than 200 tropical plants, creating an environment that Robinson says could be mistaken for Bali.

The garden began modestly with the addition of a banana plant inspired by trips to Madeira, the Eden Project, and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Since then, Robinson has expanded the collection to include tree ferns, palms, carnivorous climbers, and tropical fruit trees, many grown from seeds and cuttings to manage costs. Some of the specimen plants, such as 50- to 60-year-old tree ferns, were acquired through savings from personal celebrations and bonuses.

The tropical garden features species including Schefflera from New Zealand, Brassaiopsis mitis from Nepal's high-altitude rainforests, and Nepenthes, a carnivorous plant native to Borneo. Robinson credits the milder UK winters and warmer summers of recent years for helping the garden flourish, though daily watering remains essential. More delicate plants are moved to a greenhouse or wrapped for winter protection, while hardier palms and evergreens remain outside year-round, maintaining the garden's lush green appearance even in colder months.

In addition to ornamental plants, Robinson has cultivated an array of tropical fruit species such as figs, pomegranates, avocados, citrus fruits, loquats, and banana trees. He anticipates an increasing harvest if current climate trends continue, noting consistent fig yields and the recent introduction of an immature edible banana plant.

Robinson’s passion for tropical horticulture led to employment at Millbrook Garden Centre in Monmouth, where he began working three years ago after sharing online updates of his garden project. He describes the role as life-changing and enjoys the opportunity to combine his interests with his profession.

Robinson’s seven-year-old son, Arlo, has grown up surrounded by the lush foliage and often guides visitors through the garden’s spiky and sometimes poisonous plants. While the garden is no longer suitable for activities like football, the family’s property backs onto a large recreational field.

The garden will open to the public on July 25 to support Ty Hafan, a children’s hospice. Local wildlife, including birds and frogs, have adapted well to the subtropical environment, though mosquitoes are also a common presence.

Robinson advises aspiring tropical gardeners in the UK to research carefully, utilize online resources such as instructional videos and forums, and begin with hardy species like palms and ferns. He leads the Welsh Tropical group, a community that shares knowledge about tropical gardening in the region, which has grown to include tens of thousands of members nationwide.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.