This curious flower looks just like any dwarf alyssum with yellow flowers over a tight, woody green cushion in early spring, but then the flower stems stand up and the seed pods expand, just like little balloons! This curiously attractive flower is perfect for a raised bed or rockery. ... Learn More

Amaranthus 'Red Garnet' produces attractive, long, tassels in pillar-box red and green Amaranthus 'Pony Tails' produces exceptionally attractive, long, decorative tassels in pillar-box red and green shades, which gently swish from side to side in the Summer breeze. A long-time favourite , these superb colourful plants are ideal for adding height and interest to Summer bedding displays growing to a height of 90cm to 120cm. Originally a major food crop of the Incas they can indeed be eaten but look much nicer in your border! ... Learn More

A selection of these lovely flowers bearing long, pendulous, flowing tails in many shades from green to red. These plants are often used to striking effect in many parks, gardens and stately homes. ... Learn More

Red devil is a fast growing and extravagant annual plant with striking red veined stems and foliage that will quickly grow to a moderate height in the right position. To top it of deep red "pony tail" like flowers will protrude from the crown of the plant in mid to late summer hanging pendulously in impressive sprays of colour. Plant in moist well drained soil after the last frosts of spring. ... Learn More

This spectacular annual has convoluted heads of massed crimson flowers. In Bangladesh, it has been used as a leafy vegetable with scientific study suggesting that it inhibits calcium retention. Another study suggested that due to high levels of antioxidants found in the plant, it could have a radio-protective role. Maybe an ideal food for nuclear power-station employees? ... Learn More

This bizarre and slightly goofy annual flower bears congested sprays of deep purple flowers which resemble pointing fingers! Although it is native to South America, in India and Africa the leaves and stems have been eaten as a salad vegetable. It is usually steamed as a side dish in both China and Japan. Scientific study suggests that it may inhibit calcium retention, and in addition it has a high content of carotene, ascorbic acid, and folate and may prove an efficient antioxidant. It also appears on the coat of arms of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge where it is called "flowers gentle" ... Learn More

This stately, upright, bushy annual bears foliage which is heavily splashed in crimson and gold in the late summer and autumn garden, the leaves on the upper plant often contrasting in colour from the lower ones. Usually grown not for its flowers, but for its beautifully coloured foliage, this versatile plant also makes a fantastic microsalad leaf to impress your friends who have not seen it served on a plate before. A famous and quite stunning specimen, it is usually called Joseph's coat after the Biblical figure, who is said to have worn a coat of many colours! ... Learn More

Seeds from the largest flowered amaryllis we have ever grown here. One potful had 20 absolutely gigantic blood-red flowers on multiple stems and the resulting bulbs double up yearly. If you pot on into larger and larger pots, when it flowers it will make people gasp! Seedlings should produce their first flowers in year 2 and bulbs will multiply and increase in size constantly in every subsequent year. ... Learn More

Wonderfully fragrant soft 'powder puff' like blooms appear from June to September in romantic pastel shades of rose, lemon, lilac and white. It is quick and easy to grow for summer bedding, mixed borders and cut flower bouquets. ... Learn More

This delightful everlasting flower is a must for the cutting garden, where its silvery white flowers with bright yellow centres on winged stems are borne throughout the summer, and will make a long-lived superb display indoors and out, and even all winter long if dried out! ... Learn More

A stupendous, sizeable clump of large, one-sided, brown panicles, which hang from striking upright stems, rise up from a non-spreading clump of fine-textured blades. Rather resembling pampas grass, this hardy, long-lived, evergreen specimen will remain attractive all winter long. The strong green grass of the "Mauritanian Vine-Reed" was indeed used to tie up vines, and is a superb focal point for a sunny spot. ... Learn More

Delicate, willow-like foliage is topped with beautiful, pale powder-blue star-shaped flowers in spring, the light green foliage looking good all summer long before turning a beautiful golden-yellow in autumn, even standing right through most of the winter. This plant gets better with age (unlike us) and doesn't shine until a few years old. ... Learn More

This most desirable native of Greece and Asia Minor has heads of ornamental, rich blue flowers which are larger, and open for longer than most other varieties, and narrow lance shaped foliage. A beautiful, if rarely-seen plant, it deserves to be more widely grown as it is well-behaved and runs very slowly indeed. Few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

A spreading alpine plant with yellow-eyed, white daisy type flowers sitting just above the grey-green, ferny foliage . The flowers close at dusk or on cloudy days to show a fuchsia underside. Best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Suitable for rock gardens and even stone walls. ... Learn More

The lovely British native "Scarlet pimpernel" is too often overlooked, but closer inspection of the flower and seed capsule will reveals the fact that it is in fact in the primula family! Its stemless scarlet-red flowers appear over a very long succession all summer long. When allowed to naturalise in a hot place it will surpass many of the more common alpine plants, and it will even send out its long, leafy prostrate stems where others will not, such as on hot dry banks and rockeries. ... Learn More