This well-loved tree produces clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright, long-lasting, orange-red berries in the autumn that are loved by birds. The leaves go through dramatic colour changes in the autumn, turning yellow, then finally deep crimson before they fall off. The mountain ash is actually not an ash but a member of the rose family. The name "rowan" is derived from the Old Norse name for the tree, raun. It has numerous English folk names, including: Mountain ash, Quickbane, Quickbeam, Quickentree, Quickenbeam, Ran tree, Roan tree, Roden-quicken, Roden-quicken-royan, Ro ... Learn More

This medium-sized deciduous shrub or small tree has fern-like pinnate leaves composed of many small leaflets, dark green in spring and summer, and plum purple before falling in autumn. The fragrant white flowers in spring are followed by masses of large clusters of drooping, waxy, porcelain-white berries in autumn that are extremely popular with wildlife. It was first discovered in central China in the early twentieth century by the famed plant hunter Ernest Wilson. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). ... Learn More

One of the few grains that can be used as a wheat substitute in gluten-free recipes and products, this is an important food crop in Africa, Central America, and South Asia, and is the "fifth-most important cereal crop grown in the world". Sorghum is one of Africa’s greatest contributions to the world’s agricultural diversity, and is a traditional crop in warmer countries. Adaptable and drought tolerant, sorghum provides grain, sweet syrup, animal fodder, or sometimes, more than one crop from a single planting! ... Learn More

Sparganium erectum, commonly known as Branched Bur-reed or Upright Bur-reed, is a robust aquatic or marginal perennial found in wetlands, ponds, and along water edges. This striking plant produces tall, upright stems with strap-like green leaves that create architectural interest in aquatic landscapes. From early to late summer, it forms spherical green flowers and seed heads, which turn brown as they mature, adding texture and seasonal appeal. Ideal for naturalizing in wet areas, Sparganium erectum thrives in moist to wet soils and can be grown submerged in shallow water or along pond marg ... Learn More

Fragrant golden 'pea' flowers smother this lovely shrub, which is native to the Mediterranean region in southern Europe, south west Asia and north west Africa, where it is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils. With branches almost devoid of leaves, it is the sole species in the genus Spartium, but is closely related to the other brooms in the genera Cytisus and Genista. It will do well in any hot, dryish spot in the sun. ... Learn More

One of the world's most spectacular flowering trees, native to tropical western Africa. The large reddish-orange flowers (up to 15cm long) bloom with great profusion, contrasting with the glossy dark green leaves, and when flowers bloom at their peak in the spring, the tree can appear to seem on fire, hence one of the common names being 'fire of the forest'. The open flowers are cup-shaped and can hold water and dew, which makes them attractive to many species of bird and insect. This tree is believed in some parts of Africa to possess magical properties, with twigs being used as wands by witc ... Learn More

This compact flowering shrub grows into a neat slowly expanding ball of golden foliage with masses of dainty, pale or deep pink flowers in June and July. It often reblooms sporadically for the rest of the season. It is extremely hardy and also heat, cold and drought resistant once established. We are offering what is probably the first ever seed that will produce at least 50% golden-leaved forms. Flowers will range from pale pink to deepest rose, and foliage from lemon-yellow to deep burnished gold. Grow several and select the best colour forms when they flower! ... Learn More

This compact flowering shrub grows into a neat slowly expanding ball of golden foliage with masses of dainty, light pink flowers in June and July. It often reblooms sporadically for the rest of the season. It is extremely hardy and also heat, cold and drought resistant once established. ... Learn More

A very decorative grass with many names including "Greybeard grass", "Frost Grass", and "Silver Spikegrass". Stiff, white-centred broad leaves, turn burgundy in autumn, and plumes of purple spikelets wave from July until September, giving high garden value. ... Learn More

Impressively-large whorls of rosy-mauve hooded flowers adorn erect stems, which stand above clumps of attractively wrinkled scallop-edged leaves in a rich dark green; a very elegant contrast of colour displayed in June and July. This lovely plant will enjoy light well-drained soil in sun or part shade and the clump will slowly increase in size over time, but never become invasive. ... Learn More

This rarely encountered, fast-growing, vigorous, evergreen climbing shrub is closely related to the equally attractive holboellia. The very sweetly perfumed male and female flowers open in racemes of three to seven flowers. White tinged with mauve or violet, both male and female flower clusters look very similar, but female clusters will, if fertilised, produce walnut-sized sweet purple fruits. In Japan and Korea, where this plant grows in the wild, the fruits are regarded as a delicacy! We recommend doing further research before you try! ... Learn More

This moderately-sized, columnar cactus to 4 m tall produces a candelabra-like crown, branching from the base into several slender, ridged, moderately armed, bluish green stems to 10 cm in diameter. The scented flowers open at night and are followed by round, greenish to reddish fruits with edible flesh. Stenocereus stellatus is native to central Mexico where it grows in hot, dry tropical woodlands and thornscrub between 500 and 2100 m. In cultivation it adapts well to dry tropical and warm temperate climates in USDA Zones 9 and above. In Mexico it has a long history of cultivation and is widel ... Learn More

Red flowers grow into huge, very pretty, five-sectioned seed pods with red interiors, which can reach 12 cm in diameter and open along one side to release up to 40 very large, shiny, black edible seeds. This large deciduous tree with an attractive buttressed trunk is found in disturbed, evergreen forests from India to Burma and Malaysia. ... Learn More

Highly prized in South America, this astonishing plant has been grown there for centuries for its incredibly sweet-tasting leaves. It is now used widely in the food and drinks industry as an organic and harmless sugar supplement or substitute. This attractive, white-flowered cultivar is known for its branching habit, which creates a naturally bushy plant, and it will happily over-winter on a bright windowsill in a cool room where it will make an attractive evergreen shrub. Very few fertile seeds are ever produced. This cultivar is larger than the original species, but has the same taste. ... Learn More

Arching sprays of purple feathery plumes consist of golden brown fine leaves forming into compact clumps. This absolute beauty is one of the most impressive of all hardy grasses, soundly perennial and long-lived!! ... Learn More