Perhaps the most magnificent of all winter rosettes is this enormous beast which is composed of massive, felted, golden bear ear-like leaves. In early spring arises the thick stem holding a succession of refined golden silky flowers which open in succession over a prolonged period in late spring and early summer. The parents of these flowers were collected high in the Himalayas very many years ago, hence they are true wild forms. ... Learn More

This is the true, rare wild form collected, with permission, from high in the Himalayas above Kathmandu. Fresh seed. Perhaps the most magnificent of all winter rosettes, this impressive beast is composed of massive, felted, bronzed, bear's-ear-like leaves. In early spring arises the thick stem holding a succession of refined golden silky flowers which open in succession over a prolonged period in late spring and early summer. ... Learn More

This is quite an amazing blue poppy. We have grown these, experimentally, on a dry, south-facing bank whereupon, before flowering in midsummer, they seemed to die. What a surprise we had the following spring when the sleeping tubers magically re-appeared and flowered away with prickly stemmed, jagged-petalled, deepest blue flowers. Not at all what you expect from a meconopsis! ... Learn More

A rare and unusual blue poppy with bristly, spiny stems and leaves, and frilly cobalt-blue flowers with attractive central bosses of white anthers. Flowers are produced over an extended period until late in the year. This is one of the few Asiatic meconopsis with the ability to "hibernate" if a dry summer prevents it from flowering successfully, when it quickly dies down to a resting tuber which will sprout again the following spring! ... Learn More

This fabulous plant, which bears a slight resemblance to Meconopsis regia, has gorgeous rosettes of grey-green leaves and strong, hairy stems bearing sprays of large, sumptuous, golden-eyed, pure white flowers. Found at altitude in Tibet and Bhutan, this appropriately named plant,which has proved relatively easy to grow here in Devon from wild collected seed, has made enormous plants that produce gasps of surprise from garden visitors. ... Learn More

A choice and extremely desirable perennial poppy with golden-haired rosettes of leaves with many stems carrying wide, nodding, open globes of bright yellow in the leaf axils. Very rarely offered, famous gardener Graham Stuart Thomas sums it up thus, "superbly beautiful". ... Learn More

Newly-described, this very rare, exciting and unbelievably exquisite flower bears spectacular head of closely-packed, golden-eyed, blue-purple flowers, which open over an extended period in late spring on a stout, hairy stem. This arises from the magnificent rosette of thick, wavy-edged leaves, thickly-clad in dense hairs, which slowly enlarges all winter long, reaching its maximum diameter in February, after which the massed head of buds burst upwards. This is one of the world's newest and most desirable plants, asking for good organic moist soil, and preferably some shade to do of its best, ... Learn More

"What-you-see-is-what-you-get"!! In short is WYSIWYG! An unusual hybrid meconopsis produced in Scotland and allegedly perennial! Supposedly a pink flower but ours have not flowered yet! More details when we have them! ... Learn More

One of the fabulous Madeiran giants, this new and quite magnificent umbellifer is certainly one of the finds of recent times. In its second year a strong stem with bronzed leaves sprouts a broad crown of several branches carrying finely divided leaves beneath several absolutely enormous umbels of bright pink flowers, making an unforgettable picture. ... Learn More

In late autumn, fans of soft, lance shaped leaves similar to those of the freesias and irises arise, seldom more than 3 to 4 inches in height. In Spring, they flaunt their "fairy bells", each sending up a thin, wiry stem with alternate branches carrying a waterfall of dwarfish blossoms, that tremble in the slightest breath of wind. Every pale yellow or cream flower is less than a centimetre wide, and is etched finely along the centre of the pointed tepals with a fine, darker line. A choice and lovely South African plant, but just a very few viable seeds collected. ... Learn More

"Porcupine Bush" This rare relic plant exists in the wild only in the South Island and a few loci of the North Island of New Zealand. Bone hardy and long-lived, it produces, amongst small, weather-resistant leathery leaves masses of tiny, pendulous cream flowers in Spring followed by relatively sizeable , blue-splashed white berries. People have remarked that it resembles a dwarf cotoneaster at first sight! ... Learn More

The stature and dividing branches of this lovely plant qualify it as the biggest clover plant in the world, a veritable tree clover! It opens its heavy load of white flowers in July and August when it is a major source of nectar for bees in apiaries, and indeed, its botanical name means "honey-scented white lotus". Its characteristic sweet odour, intensified by drying, is derived from the coumarins it produces. ... Learn More

This pretty mint relative is also called "Lemon Balm". Aromatic, spikes of small white flowers, loved by bees, arise above lemon scented foliage. Plant it where you can brush against it and enjoy the perfume, or pick it to make lemon tea or add to soups, sauces or salad-dressings. The large, lemon scented green leaves are also excellent for flavouring salads, summer drinks, stuffings, poultry and fish. Well known for its medicinal value, the leaves can be infused with honey and water to energise, revive and calm the nerves. It really is quite a useful plant overall! ... Learn More

This tough and long-lived plant is better used as an ornamental herb rather than a culinary one. Grown for its long, fragrant, nectar-rich purple flowers, it is also very attractive to butterflies and bees, whilst its long green-grey leaves have a delicious minty scent. ... Learn More

M. spicata is a vigorous rhizomatous perennial forming an extensive colony of erect stems bearing spearmint-scented, lance-shaped leaves, and small light purple flowers in interrupted terminal spikes. Aka herb spearmint. ... Learn More