Jungle adventure

Dreaming of having your own slice of paradise without needing to go abroad? Then take inspiration from Abu and Leti Sidhanee's tropical-inspired family garden, created in suburban London

- SONYA PATEL ELLIS

When you start on the journey of creating a garden, it can take years to find exactly what works in which spot. But when Abu and Leti Sidhanee moved to the conservation area of Sutton Garden Suburb, they set themselves an additional challenge - to create an immersive tropical jungle inspired by their family holidays to Mauritius and Trinidad.

Some of the first plants they brought in were the fatsia, hardy bananas and palms that form the upper and middle layers of a rainforest-like canopy, helping to establish a microclimate for an ensuing understorey of lush foliage and exotic flowers.

The garden has also become a labour of love for multiple generations, with Abu's mum helping out in the first few years - then, as they started their own family, Abu's eldest daughter Sara has taken an interest in growing edibles and plants for wildlife.

The design has been adapted over the years to give the children places to play and explore - including a treehouse, mini veg patch and wildlife pond - and to accommodate tropical-style plants that could reliably survive winter frosts as well as warm or hot summers.

Despite the relatively small size of the garden, there are also places for relaxing and entertaining, including a summerhouse with a hammock, and several seating areas. Although Abu and Leti have now moved to Spain, their garden remains as a slice of paradise for those who will be living there during the years to come.

How big is your garden?

It's a small urban garden, probably around 200 square metres - quite compact. It's the smallest plot on our part of the Sutton Garden Suburb, which is horseshoe-shaped with a green in the middle and houses running around it.