Couple Transforms Mid-Terrace Garden into Tropical Jungle with Poisonous Plants

Dave Robinson and Gemma Furby transformed their mid-terrace garden in Newport into a tropical jungle with exotic and poisonous plants, inspired by travels and supported by their son Arlo. They share their passion through a gardening group and charity events.

From Ordinary House to Tropical Garden

From the outside, the house appears to be a typical terraced property, but behind it lies a tropical garden featuring some poisonous plants.

It began when Dave Robinson, 39, and his fiancée, Gemma Furby, 37, decided to cultivate a banana tree in the garden of their home in Alway, Newport, inspired by their travels.

The garden has since evolved significantly, with their son Arlo even giving a "danger tour" to a friend, highlighting the spiky plants.

Having lived in rented flats previously, Dave had always filled these with houseplants. However, after purchasing their first home in 2016, the garden with a large lawn provided a "blank canvas" for him to develop.

An aerial view of the garden filled with large tropical plans. Two plots of ordinary garden can be seen to the left and right. — Image caption, The couple have crammed tropical trees into their garden

A Passion for Tropical Plants

The garden now contains tropical trees densely planted throughout.

It has become a haven featuring colourful flowers from various parts of the world.

Dave, who has long been passionate about ferns and rare, unusual plants, explained:

"My grandad had allotments, my dad was into plants as well.

[But] I never had my own place to get into it.

Any rented properties we had, we always had house plants, but Gem wasn't massively into it to begin with, she had her own interests.

But I feel our interest has grown together since we got into creating our own tropical garden."

While Dave works at a garden centre, Gemma’s background is in nursing, caring for people rather than plants.

Dave Robinson at the top of a tree in the couple's garden. He is stood to the side and smiling at the camera. In his hand is garden secateurs. He is surrounded by large green leaves. He is wearing protective eye goggles, a dark green polo top and khaki green shorts.

Inspiration and Growth

The banana tree was the first plant they grew, which inspired the idea that their garden could become a mini jungle.

They also drew inspiration from their 2017 trip to Madeira, Portugal, and from Cornwall's Eden Project, where thousands of plant species are cultivated.

Dave noted:

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

With the exceptional heat, they need lots of watering but apart from that, the plants now look after themselves."

The garden was a blank canvas when they bought their home in 2016.

A garden which has decking and leads on to a large lawn. At the back of the garden there is a gravel seating area with two wooden chairs and a wooden bench. Surrounding the garden is a wooden fence. Between the seating is a single plant pot. In the far right corner of the garden there is a bush. — Image caption, The garden was a blank canvas when the couple bought their home in 2016

They believe the key to success is understanding their limitations and conducting thorough research before planting anything.

Dave added that with milder winters and hotter summers, it is surprising what exotic plants can now thrive in the UK.

Within a few years, trees and ferns transformed a sun trap at the bottom of the garden into a shaded area.

Tall branches full of green leaves in Gemma and David's garden. — Image caption, Within a few years, trees and ferns turned a sun trap at the bottom of the garden into a shady space

Family Involvement and Education

The couple’s seven-year-old son, Arlo, has been taught about the tropical plants and helps by taking cuttings and sowing seeds.

He also has his own blueberry bush and enjoys eating the fresh fruit they grow.

While Arlo enjoys running around his jungle garden, the family ensured there is still space for his paddling pool at the bottom of the garden.

A little boy looks in bushes featuring a number of different plants with green leaves. Arlo has short dark hair and wears a red t-shirt. — Image caption, Seven-year-old Arlo helps out and is becoming as passionate as his dad

The garden features plants from around the world, including the fascicularia bicolor, which originates from coastal and south-central Chile.

The fascicularia bicolor, a spiky evergreen plant with narrow leaves. The leaves are bright green at the end of the stem and bright red further down. The centre of the plant is white and purple. — Image caption, The garden features plants from all over the world - including the fascicularia bicolor which originates from coastal and south-central Chile

Gemma said:

"He knows quite a lot of the plants and when he had a friend round a little while ago, he did a danger tour of all the poisonous or spiky plants."

Although this may sound concerning, many poisonous plants are commonly found in UK gardens, often without people realizing their potential danger.

The Royal Horticultural Society states that serious poisoning from plants is very uncommon in the UK. While some garden plants may present hazards, the risk of severe poisoning, skin reactions, or allergies is generally low.

Dave and Gemma's son Arlo is photographed with his back facing the camera. He is wearing a black t-shirt with matching shorts. Arlo is holding a hosepipe and is watering the plants. — Image caption, Arlo gave his friend a "danger tour" of all the "poisonous" and "spiky" plants

Sources and Community

The couple have created several cosy areas within their garden, such as seating spaces nestled among the leaves.

A seated area in a garden, surrounded by plants — Image caption, The couple have cultivated their garden to include a number of cosy areas, like this seating area among the leaves

Although the plants originate from Africa, Asia, and South America, the couple source them locally from rare and niche plant nurseries and garden centres.

Dave said:

"There are at least two in south Wales who sell lots of exotic plants.

There is also places in west Wales and north Wales we go to, as well as some in England."

They have also found it easy to expand their garden by swapping plants and trading cuttings of unusual species through an online community they have developed.

In 2020, they started their own Welsh tropical gardening group, where members share tips and advice on growing tropical plants.

The group has grown to 700 members, and they continue to expand their network through contacts made at garden fairs across the UK.

Community Engagement and Charity

Though the tropical garden is not visible from the street, it is not entirely private.

Last year, the couple opened their garden to the public to raise funds for a mental health charity, explaining that spending time outdoors in the garden has benefited Dave’s mental health.

They plan to open the garden again next month to raise money for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice.