Pretty, star-shaped white flowers with deep golden yellow at their throats, 3-5cm across, are produced either singly or in racemes of up to a dozen, and are contrasted by thin straps of grey-green foliage. Flowering in mid March and best in full sun, it makes a perfect feature for the rock garden, or in containers on the patio for some early interest. ... Learn More

Pretty star-shaped white flowers with deep golden yellow at their throats, 3-5cm across, are produced either singly or in racemes of up to a dozen, and are contrasted by thin straps of grey-green foliage. Flowering in mid March and best in full sun, they make a perfect feature for the rock garden or in containers, or even on the patio for some early interest. A native of Asia, this rare variety is found in the Aman Kuta mountain pass and can show coloured stamens, either black-tipped or purplish-black throughout. ... Learn More

This dwarf species from Iran and Turkey, with narrow leaves and bright golden yellow flowers which are bronzed on the outer side with reddish brown ribs, is a long-flowering miniature botanical tulip, which holds both its leaves & flowers close to the ground. April blooms are followed by ornamentally appealing seed heads. It is justly a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit. It is native to the northern shore of Lake Urumiya in Azarbaijan, and is named for that lake. It also grows along Lake Rezaiyeh in northwestern Iran. ... Learn More

Absolutely perfect for walls or crevices in your garden, this delightful plant produces fleshy round leaves with an uneven edge, spread at the base of the plant, from which emerge reddish stalks covered with tiny green flowers. A fascinating curiosity, this is the one you may have spotted many times out on your country walks and wondered "What is that?!" ... Learn More

From Mount Egmont in New Zealand comes the prettiest hardy red grass growable from seed. Tight compact erect clumps of stiff arching crimson-bronze blades, from which arise narrow spikes of small, sharply pointed black seeds. In a well-drained border makes a superb statement! ... Learn More

From the wet mountains of Chile comes this unusual grass, a member of the "Hook-Sedge" family. Tight clumps of erect green blades sprout forth arching stems with plump, brown seed heads laden with 'hooky' seeds which will cling on to your socks or even onto the hairs on your arms or legs (gentlemen only). In a spot on its own makes an attractive specimen, but watch the dog! ... Learn More

An exotic looking pea relative with vibrant unbranching inflorescences, densely covered with vibrant purple/pink flowers. A beautiful ornamental widespread in tropical Asia and Australasia but can be grown elsewhere as an annual or when given winter protection. ... Learn More

Very rarely seen and seldom offered is this lovely flower from the Mediterranean where it forms a neat rosette of wavy-edged leaves slowly spreading into clumps, and opening continuously over an all-summer-long period, gorgeous, black-eyed, soft lemon-yellow flowers, two inches or so across with beautifully and geometrically arranged petals and a ruff of hairy leaves half way up the flower stems. Although a rare alpine plant it makes a superb rockery or border specimen. ... Learn More

Large, deep blue berries open on a slowly spreading carpet of rounded leaves. This rare plant is possibly not in cultivation, and is not to be confused with Vaccinium ovatum. ... Learn More

From an impressive rosette of large pleated leaves arises a strong branching stem carrying pale greenish-yellow starry flowers. This slow-growing but long-lived aristocratic plant will improve slowly over the years. ... Learn More

A superb, very long lived border plant, with strong spikes arising from leathery green leaves carrying dark purple, almost black, star-shaped flowers. This superb lily relative will improve in stature and size over the years if planted in well-prepared ground. ... Learn More

Unusual green flowers open in sprays on tall, strong stems which arise from basal rosettes of large leaves. The young plant looks much like a large celery-green bud with deep parallel veins, and as it grows, the leaves swirl around the plant in an attractive way. It is found across North America in wet soils in meadows, sunny stream banks, and open forests, from sea level up to 1,600m. Few seeds collected. ... Learn More

From Crete comes this charming one with woolly white leaves and yellow flowers with protruding scarlet anthers. These are ideal for a rock garden or wall, and are the dwarf relatives of many of the giants that often self-seed so prolifically along the roadsides of the world. ... Learn More

This compact and adaptable species has wonderful, deep purple flower spikes above a rosette of dark green foliage. Plants bloom throughout the summer months and do best on well-draining, sandy-rocky soils that are not overly fertile in full sun to light shade. ... Learn More

Slender spikes of purple-eyed white flowers arise from rosettes of glossy, crinkly dark green leaves. This plant is an absolute must for every cottage garden where it may gently self-seed into gravel or empty corners but is never a problem. ... Learn More