It looks like an ordinary house - but our tropical garden is packed with poisonous plants

Image source, Dave Robinson By Danielle Herbert BBC Wales Published 30 June 2026 Updated 5 hours ago From the outside it looks like an ordinary house on a terraced street - but behind lies a tropical jungle complete with some poisonous plants. It all started when Dave Robinson, 39, and his fiancée, Gemma Furby, 37, decided to grow a banana tree in the garden of their home in Alway, Newport, inspired by their travels. Their green space has since taken on a life of its own, and son Arlo has even given a "danger tour" to his friend of all the spiky plants. Having rented flats, Dave had always filled these with house plants - but after they bought their first home in 2016, the garden with a large lawn gave him a "blank canvas" to fill. Image source, Instagram/ botanical.plantasy.dave Image caption, The couple have crammed tropical trees into their garden The haven now features colourful flowers from around the world. Dave, who has always been passionate about ferns and rare unusual plants, said: "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 is more used to caring for people not plants, as she is a nurse. Image source, Dave Robinson Image caption, Seven-year-old Arlo helps out and is becoming as passionate as his dad The banana tree was the first thing they started to grow - which gave them the idea the garden could potentially turn into a mini jungle. As well as seeing greenery on a trip to Madeira, Portugal, in 2017, the couple took inspiration from Cornwall's Eden project - where thousands of plant species grow. "A few years ago lots of the plants we grow wouldn't normally survive our winters," Dave said. "With the exceptional heat, they need lots of watering but apart from that, the plants now look after themselves." Image source, Dave Robinson Image caption, The garden was a blank canvas when the couple bought their home in 2016 The couple believe the key is knowing your limitations and not putting anything in the garden without doing research first. Dave said with milder winters and hotter summers, it is surprising what exotic plants will grow in the UK. Image source, Dave Robinson Image caption, Within a few years, trees and ferns turned a sun trap at the bottom of the garden into a shady space The couple have a seven-year-old son Arlo who they have taught about the tropical plants, and who helps by taking cuttings and sowing seeds. He also has his own blueberry bush and enjoys eating the fresh fruit they grow. While Arlo loves running around his little jungle, they made sure there is still space for his paddling pool at the bottom of the garden. Image source, Dave Robinson Image caption, The garden features plant