This unique dwarf plant makes a bun of greenish-grey leaves studded with dazzling yellow flowers and is reputedly not the easiest to grow. It is probably best in an alpine house or on a protected scree. One of the rarest plants in Europe, this gem is known as a relict species, the entire world population living on a protected four hectare spot about 20 miles north of Budapest. ... Learn More

This branching annual produces loose clusters of saucer-shaped, lipstick pink to red flowers with dark centres throughout summer upon narrow leaved foliage, which will grow to around 50cm in height. Best planted in tight groups for maximum effect. ... Learn More

L Perenne is a semi evergreen perennial form of linum which produces fairly large pale blue saucer shaped flowers throughout summer. To look at the flowers alone you may mistake this plant for a blue form of Geranium Palmatum but on inspection of the foliage you can see the difference with its long slender foliage which will also form a dome and be covered in flowers. ... Learn More

This rare and totally unique, graceful, fast growing palm has gorgeous, finely divided, weeping fan leaves, and is easy to germinate and fast and easy to grow. Adaptable and hardy in every respect, it is one of the most rustic and most resistant to the cold, in short, a nearly foolproof palm, which will tolerate all types of soil, drought and sea wind. It has an unusual attractively-marked trunk, because dying leaves fall away cleanly. It is ideal either as a pretty landscape specimen, or even as an indoor plant on a commercial basis. It is endemic to the woodlands of Queensland, Australia, an ... Learn More

From Chile comes this handsome but curious plant bearing dark green, lobed, acanthus-like leaves. In summer, highly attractive bright orange-yellow, concave-petalled flowers open, each an inch or so across. But take care! This is one of the surprise plants of the Chilean woodlands as my legs discovered on our last Andean expedition. The entire plant, including the flowers, is covered with fine stinging hairs, just like a stinging nettle. Grazing animals keep away! ... Learn More

If you are searching for an easy, perennial and attractive groundcover plant for a wet or boggy area, this plant is the perfect plant for you! A herbaceous perennial groundcoverer, it has prostrate branches that root at the nodes and sprays of flowers that may be white or varying shades of blue or mauve, and although hard winters can cut it back severely, it invariably re-sprouts each spring. A relatively widespread species, it lives in southern Africa, New Zealand and Australia and has become naturalized in Brazil. It was originally collected by Joseph Banks in New Zealand. ... Learn More

A compact variety renowned for its excellent garden performance with clear sky-blue flowers set above narrow, airy foliage on compact plants. It makes a sparkling addition to beds, containers, and and window-boxes, and looks well placed in the rockery or at the edges of pathways. It is one of the most easily-grown annuals and is deservedly popular for its versatility and long flowering period. ... Learn More

Probably the most popular of all bedding lobelias, with dainty, deep blue flowers smothering neat globes of foliage that form very dwarf, compact plants. It makes a sparkling addition to beds, containers, and window-boxes, and even looks well placed in the rockery. A really easy-to-grow annual that is deservedly popular for its versatility and long flowering period. ... Learn More

Remarkably similar to the Puya of the Andes in South America or Echium wildpretii from the island of Tenerife, this giant unrelated rosette plant displays the evidence of parallel evolution, producing similar looking plants as they evolve in similar habitats. Although the dark maroon to black flowers are attractive, they are almost completely hidden within the bracts. This rare and astonishing plant is native to wetter spots in the alpine zone of Mount Kenya between 3300 and 4600 m, where the extreme climate is usually clear and cold in the mornings, with intense sunshine, and cloudy or foggy ... Learn More

A new and rare Chilean introduction growing many stems which carry delightful and utmostly showy, burgundy-red, wine-coloured flowers in late spring. This semi-woody perennial has upright, branching stems ending in a raceme with intriguing, curved-funnel-shaped flowers above thick, waxy, narrow leaves. It will do well in any rich, very well drained, rocky soil in a sunny spot. ... Learn More

Spires of clear blue, snapdragon-like flowers open in succession on strong stems bearing thick, crinkly leaves. These lovely flowers will grow equally well in dry or wet conditions and are very hardy and soundly perennial. it is a most desirable plant for woodland gardens especially since it blooms bright blue in late summer. The unfortunate species name, siphilitica, is based on the fact that it was a supposed cure for syphilis. ... Learn More

Another giant rosette plant which is stunningly similar to the puyas of the high Andes, and also to the giant echiums that evolved separately, on the Canary Islands, demonstrating convergent/parallel evolution. It forms a large rosette of narrow, hairy leaves that eventually produces a giant inflorescence of creamy white flowers, up to 3 m tall, protected by masses of long, silvery hairy bracts and pollinated by birds. Lobelia telekii is native to the high mountains of tropical eastern Africa and inhabits dry, rocky slopes between an astonishing 3500 and 5000 m elevation on Mount Elgon, the Ab ... Learn More

An incredible giant, hardy Lobelia from Chile. From a large rosette of thick leathery felted leaves arise thick stems carrying tropical orchid-like deepest carmine flowers. A valuable late season display from July until the autumn frosts. ... Learn More

Rare and unique, this palm-like giant Lobelia forms a large rosette of purplish-green, large, narrow, hairy leaves, and a tall sizeable woody trunk. Eventually a giant flower spike arises protected by masses of long, silvery hairy bracts, and finally countless deep blue flowers open. Similar in stature to a giant Echium, it can grow up to 6 metres in total. Rare even in the wild, where it is pollinated by birds, it lives in the high-elevation bogs of the alpine zone, between 3700 and 4300 m (12100 and 14100 ft) and is native to the high Rwenzori Mountains of tropical Eastern Africa from Ugand ... Learn More

Sometimes grown as an annual this tough almost alpine like plant forms tight domes of foliage topped with dense balls of delicate, deep amethyst, purple flowers. But it's best feature is the strong honey scented perfume given off by its flowers, which on mass will travel quite a distance in late afternoon. Grows well on the edge of raised beds, rockeries or in patio containers. ... Learn More