This desirable plant is the Mediterranean wild species of asparagus, and is a gourmet's delight with scrambled eggs, being even tastier than asparagus officinalis, the "usual" shop-bought asparagus. An evergreen perennial, it is in leaf all year, and in flower from August to September, preferring well-drained, light sandy, loamy soils and will even grow in semi-shade and obviously it will thrive by the sea. It has long been preferred by gourmets for its stronger aromatic flavour, being superb when seasoned with oil and lemon juice. ... Learn More

The upstanding habit and racemes of star-shaped, pale yellow flowers, striped green on the backs of the petals, are quite exceptional combined with tall ornamental grasses, or to add architectural interest to a planting scheme. The spires of golden flowers appear in early summer above clumps of triangular, blue-green, grass-like foliage. The attractive black seedheads that follow the flowers have their own appeal. ... Learn More

Fragrant, star-shaped yellow flowers are borne on stiff, thick, upright stems that emerge from a rosette of long, narrow, silvery leaves. In late summer the stems are finally covered with winter-persistent, decorative seed pods. This is a handsome plant for sun or partial shade. ... Learn More

Thick candles of hundreds of five-petalled, stemless white flowers bloom from April to May above clumps of long thin leaves which erupt from the base of a thickened stock. These seldom-seen, tender-looking plants are found in Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus, and can actually withstand -17C! ... Learn More

In earliest spring, above handsome winter rosettes of glaucous leaves, arise branching spires of white flowers with brown veins. These reach a crescendo in June, after which they set seed, before dying down again for the winter, leaving just traces of foliage. Surprisingly, these tender-looking plants are completely frost-hardy in well drained soil. ... Learn More

These lovely plants, which surprisingly are completely frost-hardy, produce clumps of linear basal leaves, and leafless stems bearing racemes or panicles of star-shaped, white or pink flowers, each tepal with an attractive green or brown central vein. ... Learn More

From large tufts of hollow, onion-like, rounded leaves arise strong spikes holding starry flowers which are white or very pale pink, with a neat central longitudinal stripe of brown to reddish-purple on each petal. When it is happy this plant will spread by root or seeds to make solid colonies. ... Learn More

In early summer, from attractive bluish-green clumps of long narrow silvery foliage, arise strong thick stems that bear dense, un-branched, cylindrical spikes of gorgeous, yellow, sweetly-scented, star-shaped flowers. These are in fact edible, very decorative and can make a tasty addition to the salad bowl. They give way to decorative seed pods like shiny green marbles which can be left on the plant through winter to add interest. They are perfect for incorporating into borders, gravel gardens, or meadow style planting schemes as butterflies and bees are attracted to its nectar-rich blossoms. ... Learn More

In earliest spring, rosettes of fleshy green leaves erupt from the ground, soon followed by strong stems bearing numerous white starry flowers, the petals bearing a central brown streak. Best grown in a hot dry spot, with excellent drainage, this plant survives in the hottest and most inhospitable habitats imaginable. In the wild it grows from Mediterranean coastal regions northern Africa and the Middle East, to the hot dry Canary Islands. Historically, this flower was said to fill the plains of Hades, the mythological Greek underworld. As it was considered the favourite food of the dead, the ... Learn More

From attractive clumps of silvery-green, hairy, sword-like leaves, arise panicles of white flowers in summer, followed by purple-pink fruits in autumn. Forming dramatic foliage, this superb, hardy, evergreen architectural plant from New Zealand is perfect for coastal gardens, or anywhere there is some shelter, and especially adding a tropical feel to the garden, particularly in areas of partial shade. ... Learn More

This lovely yellow-eyed, blue alpine daisy grows in alpine meadows and is often seen tucked between rocks on high mountains. Completely hardy and slow-growing, it makes a valuable addition to any enthusiasts rock garden. ... Learn More

This is the very rare pure white form of the lovely alpine daisy so often seen tucked between rocks on high mountains. Completely hardy and slow-growing, it makes a valuable addition to any enthusiasts rock garden. ... Learn More

A mixture of colours of this tough alpine matt forming plant. Ideal for rockeries and well drained areas of the garden. Long lived and easy to keep. Can be sown in pots or directly into the garden. ... Learn More

This graceful Aster produces gorgeous, very large, double blooms in shades of pink, purple, mauve, and white. The branching habit and long-stemmed, loose, feathery flower heads makes them perfect for using as border plants and make a showy display when cut for use in the home. ... Learn More

Diminutive in all aspects apart from flower size, this rare, dwarf creeping plant bears short-stemmed, pinkish mauve flowers with numerous exceptionally thin petals. The slow-creeping carpet of stems carries short, fleshy leaves, wider at their ends, and with noticeable deeply indented veining. ... Learn More