Gardening in the South West
The mild, moist South West — especially Cornwall and the coast — is the UK's banana belt, with near-frost-free pockets that grow subtropical and exotic plants found nowhere else in Britain. Inland and on higher ground it is cooler and wetter.
❄️ Frost dates
Last spring frost: mid April
First autumn frost: November
🌱 Soil & growing conditions
Mild and moisture-retentive near the coast, and often acidic in the far west — perfect for camellias, rhododendrons and tree ferns. Famous for exotic and woodland gardens.
🌴 Tender & exotic plants you can grow in the South West
The mild climate here lets you grow these half-hardy and exotic plants that struggle in colder parts of the UK.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Marigold (Tagetes)
Pea (Pisum sativum)
Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Lupin (Lupinus)
Onion (Allium cepa)
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
🌿 Hardy plants for the South West
Reliable, hardy plants well suited to the South West gardens (87 plants).