This is the original, and very well-known and loved "Grape Hyacinth". In a rock garden it is short and not too leafy with deep blue flowers tipped with white at their open ends. It will gently self-seed when happy, but makes a welcome splash of blue in spring when little else is around. Absolutely bone hardy, it originally came from woodlands throughout eastern Europe and the Balkans. ... Learn More

Originating in south-east Europe to Turkey and Iran, and described by Polunin as "a striking plant", these are the most unusual "grape hyacinths". The "Tassel Hyacinths", at 40cm, with their cluster of brilliant violet sterile flowers held above the creamy-brown fertile flowers, are one of the tallest varieties, and are almost as tall as kniphofias. They are also much later flowering, in May rather than the more normal March-April. ... Learn More

From clumps of thin fleshy leaves arise bell-shaped crowns of purplish blue, sometimes almost black, flowers. The flower heads appear two-toned due to paler crowns, which are the sterile flowers. Grape hyacinth is good for naturalizing in gardens or lawns, for forcing or growing in container displays, and for rock gardens and although it will produce seedlings, it does so in a restrained manner, never exceeding its welcome. ... Learn More

This highly attractive plant has flowers of a deep richest blue, an effect unbroken except that each tiny flower is picked out with a delicate white crinoline-edge. They are natives of rocky hillsides in central Asia, but will do well in any well drained soil in a sunny spot and are fully cold-hardy. ... Learn More

In spring, spikes arise, covered with grape-like, long-lasting blooms, the bottom flowers being deepest, darkest, Oxford blue. Grape hyacinths are hardy, very easy to grow, and have long-lasting blooms, being particularly spectacular when allowed to naturalize. ... Learn More

A very rare and stunningly attractive plant originating from Madeira. However, unlike the similar and equally lovely michauxias, this plant is perennial. After a year or two building up energy to perform, the hairy rosette explodes into a firework display of numerous branching stems carrying greenish-yellow bells. Everyone who sees it finds it remarkable. ... Learn More

Very seldom seen or offered, this rare and superb "Chilean Climbing Gazania" has twining shoots which carry soft, holly-like leaves and large, pinkish-mauve long-petalled flowers which appear over a very long season right into the autumn. These perennial climbers make a breathtaking sight, and when old are surprisingly hardy with thick, trunk-like stems. Very, very few good, individual viable seeds are ever individually collected, hence the high price. ... Learn More

Mutisia oligodon is a charming evergreen subshrub native to the temperate regions of Chile and Argentina. This low-growing plant exhibits a semi-prostrate to ascending habit, often forming dense mats that sprawl gracefully over rocky terrains. Its slender stems are adorned with leathery, oblong leaves, each terminating in a delicate tendril that aids in climbing or anchoring to nearby structures. The foliage presents a vibrant green hue on the upper surface, while the underside is cloaked in a soft, pale wool, adding to its tactile appeal. During the blooming season, Mutisia oligodon produc ... Learn More

Abundant, true blue petals open in a disc, with a tiny yellow "ring" at the centre, blooming constantly from late spring into summer. It self-sows anywhere it is happy, giving the appearance of a cloud of blue surrounding spring bulbs to a magnificent effect. The Alpine Forget-me-not is the county flower of Westmorland in the UK, and also the state flower of Alaska where it grows well in open, rocky places high in the mountains, flowering in midsummer. Just a few seeds collected. ... Learn More

This classic blue forget-me-not, ever-popular in gardens, will give sheets of piercing blue in spring and summer and can tolerate both sun and shade. In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but then, because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one, shouting "Forget-me-not." It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and ... Learn More

A brand new plant, coming true from seed, recently discovered as a chance seedling discovered here at Plant World. Compact domes of golden leaves are held beneath sprays of blue forget-me-not flowers which appear in mid summer. This lovely new plant will very gently self-seed making a blue-studded golden carpet! ... Learn More

Also called Sweet Cicely, Garden Myrrh, and Spanish Chervil, this uncommon and beautiful British native, has ornamental, much-divided, delicate, fern-like foliage and crowded umbels of small white flowers followed by extremely large, shiny-black, decorative seed-heads which are fluted and slightly curved. The whole plant has a pleasant odour of aniseed. Budding chefs can use it for flavouring stewed fruit such as plums, when it is said that it is possible to halve the amount of sugar required. Its crisp stalks make an excellent substitute for celery after light cooking and the leaves have b ... Learn More

This upright, evergreen, bushy shrub bears profuse fragrant white flowers followed by purple-black berries and is perfect for growing in a shaded warm area. The excellent, dense, evergreen foliage consists of small lanceolate leaves which are strongly scented when crushed. ... Learn More

Also known as the Chilean Guava, the fruits of Myrtus ugni have a uniquely delicious taste that is beyond compare, rather like a combination of strawberry, pineapple and apple. As a rule, the berries are the main reason for growing this plant, indeed, in Chile they are made into pies and jellies, whilst in the UK, it was apparently Queen Victoria’s favourite fruit, and growers in Cornwall attempted to grow them commercially, using her love of them as one of their selling points. In New Zealand it is being sold as the ‘NZ Cranberry’. It can grow up to 2 metres tall and the small shiny leave ... Learn More

The "hoop-petticoat daffodil". This earliest and tiniest dwarf gem with golden conical cup-flowers, and narrow pointed petals, thrives on the hottest of rockeries and will do well and even self-seed in moist turf rather like cylamen do. ... Learn More