This rare plant, that grows up to 13,000 feet in the Himalayas, rises later in the spring than most perennials, but then it spreads out its basal leaves forming tiered mats of fine, lacy, fern-like foliage. During late summer the flower buds emerge, each flower head becoming a plateau consisting of thousands of tiny flowers, the intricate flower heads being perfect circles composed of even smaller circles. E A Bowles called it "The queen of all umbellifers, with its almost transparent tender greenness, and the marvellous lacy pattern of its large leaves, it is the most beautiful of all fern- ... Learn More

This delightful and graceful plant forms a mound or tuft of finely divided, ferny-looking leaves, bearing upright stems with graceful nodding flowers in shades of deep violet to wine purple during late spring and early summer. A rare plant, native to open woodlands in China, it is a very close cousin to the normal aquilegias differing in that the flowers lack the usual spurs at the back. This is a superb plant for edging, in the rock garden or bright woodland. ... Learn More

Slowly spreading clumps of tall purple-red stems with saw-tooth edged leaves carrying huge flat heads of bright yellow daisies in July/August - the "midsummer flower-gap". Originally collected in Chile at 2,000ft in wet meadows near Osorno (RB94118). ... Learn More

This absolutely amazing succulent shrub is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it evolved, over millions of years, into this quite unique plant with thick, contorted, sausage-like branches, forming a rounded dome. The bare, multi-branching stems are tipped with clumps of leathery, narrow, grey-green leaves which have clumps of attractive creamy flowers on them in late winter and early spring. These finally turn into sizeable globular seed heads, resembling snowballs, at the end of each stem adding to its year-long attraction. What more can a plant provide! In the wild It is found in dry coast ... Learn More

A long-flowering dazzler discovered on the mountains of South Africa. Numerous erect stems produce an everlasting display of carmine rose flowers from early spring until the autumn frosts. ... Learn More

The Candlestick Cassia gets its name from the large sprays of upright, fragrant yellow flowers that resemble candles, and in a similar way to the buddleia bush, it is a magnet for butterflies. A native to Central and South America, it makes a showy addition to any warm or well-protected garden, where it will bloom from spring to autumn, bearing large green leaves which fold up at night. ... Learn More

This is the rarely-offered pale pink form of this most ornamental shrub bearing clusters of attractive flowers held above evergreen compound leaves. It grows well in almost any position but is especially suitable for wet or moist areas in warmer climates. In winter, long seed pods with a distinctive rattle appear, hence one of its common names. ... Learn More

"Spanish Gold" or "Rattlebox" is a most ornamental shrub bearing clusters of attractive bright red flowers held above evergreen compound leaves. It grows well in almost any position but is especially suitable for wet or moist areas in warmer climates. In winter long seed pods with a distinctive rattle appear, hence one of its common names. ... Learn More

Native to the high rocky mountain slopes of Russia, Georgia and Turkey, (its name means 'of the rocks') this tough and most attractive hardy plant opens its sizeable, pure white inflorescences, atop thick, rubbery, greyish basal foliage which is most attractively lobed and divided. Rare and possibly not in cultivation, but should be. It is protected in the wild, and on The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species, although local people have traditionally extracted the Essential Oils which are obtained by hydrodistillation! In a well-drained spot it m ... Learn More

Thick clumps of attractive foxtail-like flower heads, perfect for cutting, grow on long stems clad in broad leaves. If planted in a hot, dry spot, or in a container on a warm patio, the leaves and stems of this lovely plant will turn bright crimson. This grass is usually grown as an annual when it will quickly make a fine display. ... Learn More

Setaria palmifolia is a much under used foliage grass from Asia and the Pacific Islands. The gorgeously pleated palm like foliage add a lush tropical feel to the garden and transport you to somewhere where you're more likely to find a coconut in the garden than a conker. In a temperate climate such as ours heights are closer to 2-3 feet than the 6 feet attained in habitat. Tall flower spikes appear in late summer and are held delicately above the foliage. ... Learn More

Extremely pretty, delicately-thin, pale pink flowers stand proudly on upright stems above a mound of round green leaves. A thoroughly charming plant, well at home in any mixed cottage garden border or as a showpiece in a small bed. ... Learn More

From hot, dry Cyprus comes this rare and stunning plant which displays its velvety, silvery-white foliage forming a sparkling dense clump. Then from late spring onwards, surprisingly bright, tall, lime green spikes are held on erect, branching, chartreuse flower stems. The flowers are held in tiers, very much like the herb origano, and are actually cupped calyces which later sport yellow blooms. This is an amazing plant for any dry, well-drained garden, or even a large container. In the wild it is endemic to the Pentadaktylos range where it can be found in only seven locations, and is classed ... Learn More

This very rare plant makes a low spreading clump of small, hairy, grey-green leaves on short stems, holding stubby heads of pretty, pale lemon flowers. Although most sideritis species grow at low altitude, the group of high altitude taxa are endemics, usually with a small distribution areas. In this species it is incompletely-known, and it is threatened with extinction, living at the very upper altitude limit of this section, some 10,000 feet up in the Spanish Sierra Nevada. ... Learn More

This tough, drought and heat-tolerant plant is native to the mountains surrounding the Mediterranean sea, especially the Peloponnese. It forms an attractive-looking, low, dense mound of slim, fragrant, greyish foliage, covered in white fuzz, daring you to touch it, and bearing in mid summer, pretty, upright stems of small, light yellow flowers in fascinating interrupted clusters. It is used in Greece for colds, respiratory health maintenance, digestion, frayed nerves and the immune system and it is apparently anti-oxidant too! This could be one of the most significant Mediterranean herbs sinc ... Learn More