We're currently renovating our garden after buying a house with a garden that had been completely neglected for ten years. Our weeds were trees - self seeded sycamores and ash. I've spent the last few years digging them all out, and replanting with tropical looking stuff where I can. We lost so much stuff last year - I'd kept bananas going overwinter for the last four years by moving them to our polytunnel for the winter, but lost all bar two of them this year. Got to -18 here
We've been on a tight budget, so many of our plants have been seed grown. Best tip from this forum yet was about the Landgard sale - went there today and got a four foot tree fern, 4 Trachys, 2 Callistemon, 3 Yucca gloriosa, and 3 small cordyline, all for £85!
Always wanted a Dicksonia, first time I've seen a decent sized one I could afford!Carl
sounds like we will have to make the trip to the sales one day. 
4ft Dicksonia antarctica is about £60 cheapest normally, so you did well