This is the extremely attractive variegated form of the fragrant herb "rue". Although it is a favourite for flavouring dishes, it is also an excellent evergreen dwarf shrub for a hot spot. When cut back hard every third spring it makes a superb foliage specimen. ... Learn More

This short stemmed palm tree is native to Java and Sumatra and naturalised across Malayasia and Indonesia. The attractive leaves can grow up to 6m long, the fruits growing in clusters at the base of the palm with reddish-brown scaly skin, and are about the size and shape of a ripe fig, with a distinct tip and edible pulp. The taste is sweet and acidic, but its apple-like texture can vary from dry and crumbly to moist and crunchy! ... Learn More

A lovely plant discovered on the Alpine Garden Society M.E.S.E. 1999 Expedition. Whorls of violet bracts and flowers on branching stems which carry fragrant leaves. ... Learn More

This stunning herbaceous perennial has sky blue flowers on tall, showy, branched spikes with large, wavy, grey-green leaves. In the wild it is found in northern Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and south-western Spain, usually between 500-1200 meters. ... Learn More

Several small stems grow almost horizontally from the roots before bearing upright inflorescences which carry apple-green, hairy leaves and creamy white flowers which are sometimes tipped with a yellow lip. It grows in western Greece, parts of Turkey and Iraq, and Iran, usually between 2000-6500 feet elevation and is frost hardy but desires a dryish sheltered spot in winter. ... Learn More

Multiple, strong dividing stems, with a self-supporting growth habit, carry simple, fragrant, broad leaves, with candelabra-fashion arrays of protruding, snow-white flowers opening along their lengths. One of the sources of the essential oil, Linalool, this plant, one of the aromatic medicinal plants, grows in the E. Mediterranean to Afghanistan, and on the mountains of Israel. It is used in Jordanian folk medicine for the treatment of microbial infections, malaria, inflammation and even to disinfect homes after sickness. ... Learn More

Fiery red flowers are displayed along the length of long mid-green stems with an interesting square cross-section, and emerge from a profusion of attractive, smallish, almost triangular, deeply veined, perfumed foliage. This attractive perennial will make a fine display shining out from the mid- to rear sections of your border, or as a fine specimen plant in a large container. In a hot dry spot, once established it is almost indestructible, flowering away when most others have shrivelled. And even if it is cut back by a hard winter it invariably re-shoots the following spring. ... Learn More

Enormous hairy basal leaves form a base for an immense display of white-tongued vivid purple-blue flowers on long, strong branching stems. This spectacular plant is bone hardy, long-lived and makes a stupendous display all summer long! ... Learn More

This reliable, robust, fragrant Himalayan plant has strong square stems holding large spreading panicles of purple-splashed, yellow hooded flowers, an unusual colour for salvias. Both the leaves and the flowers have a distinct minty-lavender perfume and are slightly sticky, hence the name. ... Learn More

Another hardy, but tender-looking salvia. Large deep purple and white flowers on stout sticky stems held well above the foliage in spring and summer. "One of the best border salvias." (William Robinson) Sorry, few seeds collected. ... Learn More

The bright green foliage of this famous Central American plant, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala, compliments the mauve spikes of flowers that appear in July and August. The seeds are a highly nutritious food source and contain high amounts of omega-3,6 and 9, and are harvested for use in health recipes and drinks, and were in fact once the third most produced staple food there, until it was condemned by the European invaders in the 1500s and was almost wiped out altogether. The leaves and stems are also popular in sandwiches, soups, salads and stews. The local name Chia comes from the Nahuatl language and means oily. Aztec warriors used Chia as a very high energy source on their conquests and in fact it is still a traditional food of both the Tarahumara and Chumash peoples of Chiuahua, in the south western part of Mexico. ... Learn More

Violet-pink flowers bloom out of violet bracts from April until June on almost black stems. This lovely perennial is native to Mediterranean woodlands and shrub lands, and can be found growing in the mountains of Israel where it produces a normally seven-flowered flower stalk that the traditional candle stick was supposedly fashioned after. Biblical scholars claim that Salvia judaica was the model for the temple lamp stand described in Exodus! ... Learn More

Delicate white or pale lavender flowers appear in late spring and early summer, making a sophisticated contrast against the rosettes of shiny, dark red leaves whose colour intensifies in autumn. This fabulous ornamental sage will easily hold its own near the front of your border, as a specimen plant in a cottage garden or dotted about an informal gravel garden. ... Learn More

This white-woolly perennial herb, commonly found in the Kashmir valley, bears pale blue, nearly white flowers, which are are borne in spikes arranged in separated whorls, forming a branched cluster. It is hardy to Zone 7 although it may be evergreeen in warmer climes. ... Learn More

"Albino Sage". The rarely seen and very lovely pure white flowered form of common sage. It also has paler milky grey foliage and a slightly dwarfer habit than the normal blue flowered form. ... Learn More