One of the rarest and most exquisite spring flowers, nodding, golden-eyed, creamy white goblets arise on felted stems from a veil of silky hairs amidst filigree fern-like leaves. This lovely German cultivar, literally "White Swan", will improve as it ages over the years. ... Learn More

This vigorous form of pulsatilla has strong clumps of finely-divided leaves supporting a spring-long succession of silky lavender-purple goblets, all with prominent yellow anthers. ... Learn More

This dwarf bulbous perennial has erect narrowly strap-shaped basal leaves, with racemes of star-shaped, pale blue flowers, each petal (or more correctly, tepal) with a darker blue central stripe. These are excellent for naturalising in moist but well-drained soil. ... Learn More

This attractive, moderate-sized, evergreen tree flowers from March to May when its yellowish male flowers crowd into rounded axillary clusters, the female flowers being solitary and greenish yellow. It has pendent branches and dark grey bark, with both bark and leaves being used as medicine, the leaves and fruits traditionally used as medicine for rheumatism. The fleshy fruit has a hard seed-containing stone within, which is strung into necklaces for putting on children, the belief being they ward off evil. The plant contains mustard oils as a chemical defence against herbivores and is widespr ... Learn More

One of the most astonishingly beautiful plants to grace our planet, this absolutely exquisite hardy pineapple relative produces rosettes of jagged, pineapple-shaped, silvery-green leaves, from which erupt, when the plant is large enough, stout spikes of exotic,It makes a superb rock garden plant in well drained soil, where it is remarkably hardy and even does well in a container. After flowering that spike dies, but many more basal rosettes are formed for future years. These plants were grown from high altitude seed collected on our 1994 Andean seed-collecting expedition. ... Learn More

Another superb hardy pineapple relative with rosettes of jagged, grey-green leaves. Stout spikes of exotic yellow-green flowers. An excellent container or rockery plant ... Learn More

Puyas are perhaps the hardiest member of the pineapple family, making sensational rosettes of serrated leaves. Spikes of exotic blue-green flowers when mature. Plant in a wall or bank. "Worth the cost and effort to grow this rare plant." (G.S.T.) ... Learn More

A fabulous bromeliad from central Chile that forms large groups of rosettes with slender greyish green leaves that are viciously spiny along the margins. The inflorescence is a tall, upright, branched, reddish stalk with bluish-purple flowers. A very easy plant in cultivation, suitable for temperate climates. ... Learn More

Exotic, flaring, lime-green bells, loved by butterflies and bees, open on stiff upright stems which erupt in early spring from relatively small rosettes of thick, spiny foliage. This Bolivian plant is probably the quickest to bloom of all puyas, often in only a year after planting, whereas some puyas can take several years to blossom. In addition it is completely drought tolerant and is quite incredibly frost hardy if kept well-drained and dry. ... Learn More

From 3,000 species of Bromeliads (the pineapple family) this one is the king! After many years of growing a huge rosette of slender leaves, a massive stalk erupts, which can rise to more than 5 metres, and contain countless thousands of ivory-white flowers, each creamy-white blossom being 2 inches (5 cm.) wide, with bright orange anthers. These gorgeous flowers , for a short time, will attract hordes of pollinating insects and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds in warmer climes! It comes from the cool Andean highlands, at about 13,000 feet, so is believed to be frost-tolerant down to about ... Learn More

Spires of almost wax-like, deep reddish-violet flowers arise from a large rosette of saw-toothed leaves when mature. Plant in a wall, bank or well-drained position. ... Learn More

An exquisite colour mix of giant daisy flowers which make great, long lasting, cut flowers. Always a favorite for florists and amateur gardeners alike. ... Learn More

The Quince, a small deciduous tree with ancient origins, is beloved for its delicate beauty and aromatic fruits. With its twisted branches and rounded form, it brings a charming, rustic appeal to orchards and gardens alike. In spring, it bursts into life with large, pale pink to white blossoms, drawing pollinators such as bees. As the season progresses, these flowers transform into golden, pear-shaped fruits that exude a sweet, floral fragrance when ripe. While too astringent to eat raw, the fruit is prized for its culinary versatility, lending its unique flavor to jams, jellies, and desser ... Learn More

Bright sprays of fragrant cruciform flowers open in early spring on this rare, miniscule and very unusual member of the cruciferae, which deserves a place in a pot in an alpine house, or in a well-drained scree or rockery. Primuloides means 'like a primula', making this another one to baffle the experts! ... Learn More

Both rare and extremely beautiful, these completely hardy members of the "African Violet" family make dark green rosettes of hairy succulent leaves from which arise round-faced, yellow-eyed, purple flowers. They are very, very long-lived in walls where they will slowly get bigger year after year, and can stand an unbelievable amount of cold, heat and drought. ... Learn More