Exotics

I love tropical plants in every landscape.
For me, it's more than just the form of the flowers.  The foliage is often bold & great !
Pindo palms & a winter hardy banana tree are my favorites.  In my own Garden, I plant mop head hydrangeas under them.
The regional contrast is sweet to me.
Two years ago, my 5 yr old Pindo palms froze during a rough winter's week .  I was broken hearted.
I really do plant my own Garden as an exercise in survival of the fittest.
My choices need to be able to tough it out through a drought & some freezing temps + Atlanta's blistering heat.
Here are some successful exotic choices from my home Garden:
agave, arum (go for the varigated Italian), arundo donax (grass), 'angel wing' begonias, canaan lillies, clematis (try the evergreen 'armandii', which blooms on new wood), colocasia (elephant ears), crocosmia, dahlias, daturas, gunnera, hedychium (ginger lillies), musa basjoo (hardy banana), pennisetum setaceum (purple fountain grass), ricinus (castor oil plant), verbena (try the tall vertical variety 'bonariensis'), yuccas and zinnias (BEWARE:  zinnias are easily plagued by fungus).
I'm in love also with everything iris & find that they really do take on an exotic flare when planted in the company of my banana trees.  I've moved away from most bearded varieties (though I continue to love them) and into 'flag' irises.  The 'flag' irises tend to bloom later and longer in my Gardens.  Their colors are a bit limited to burgundy, purple and  yellow. 
I enjoy the foliage of my canaans more than their flowers (especially the 'Bengal Tiger' which has a variegated leave in greens & yellows).
Add a tassel fern (polystichum polyblepharum) when there is a shaded area.  I've added an Ostrich Fern in a few Gardens this year and they are insanely thrilling !
Be bold !

If it doesn't work for you, change something.  ( Just like life. )