My goal is not only a tropical look, but also fruit - so I can feel like I'm in a tropical garden full of wonders. I know that is not realistic because the tropics have a dry season and fruit trees have a harvest time - yes, even in the tropics there are seasons! Ever since I was a kid, I have loved crab apples. The little old lady - Mrs. Ludwig - that lived behind us, would let use eat all we wanted off of her tree. A few years back I planted a "Indian Summer" crabapple tree, only to find out how small 3/4 inch fruit really is! That tree died because the rabbits ate the bark off of it - I now protect all of my young trees in the winter.