A rare plant and one of the very few cannas which is both attractive and can be easily grown from seed. An almost endless procession of delicate red-tipped yellow flowers is produced, each of which forms a most intriguing inflated seed pod. This grows numerous hairy appendages which finally fall off to signify that the large, rock-hard, black seeds are ripe. ... Learn More

This native of the Caribbean and tropical Americas has attractive, bright scarlet flowers on stout stems above broad, handsome leaves. The seeds are small, globular, black pellets, hard and heavy enough to sink in water, and which resemble shotgun pellets giving rise to the plant's common name of Indian Shot. They are reputedly hard enough to shoot through wood and still survive and later germinate and according to the BBC, during the Indian Mutiny of the 19th century soldiers used these seeds when they ran out of bullets. Although not carrying the largest flowers of this group, this one is pr ... Learn More

Almost certainly the largest and most impressive of the canna family, this absolutely spectacular plant produces dazzling heads of large orange, or sometimes reddish-pink flowers, rising above very large bright green leaves. It is easy to grow from seed, and, like most Cannas, if sown early and given generous treatment, it can flower the first year, when it will make an imposing focal point and give any patio, or very large pot a taste of the tropics. In colder regions the rhizomes should be protected if left in the ground, or dug up and stored over winter. Native to southern Belize and other ... Learn More

Too seldom seen, this scrambling, slightly spiny shrub, which can also be trained to climb, bears sizeable, attractive white flowers, some 2-3 inches across, with delicate, most attractive, pale purple stamens, which are continuously replaced in profusion, making a constant dazzling display from May onwards. And to further intrigue you, and we never knew this until now.......the unopened flower buds picked when tight and preserved in brine or vinegar are culinary capers! ... Learn More

A truly spectacular flower, now acknowledged as a rare British native woodland plant. In early Spring, from bizarre, coral-like, white tuberous roots, sprout sturdy stems bearing attractive red-veined pink flowers. As the purple stem ages it produces purple/almost black bulbils in the leaf axils, which finally drop off to produce new plants the following year. Bulbils may suggest that it is invasive. This is certainly not so in our very sizeable gardens where, in a damp shady spot, it slowly makes an attractive and reliable early display for our visitors. Another easy-to-grow hardy plant to in ... Learn More

Fragrant trumpet flowers, ivory-white with a slight greenish cast, open on stems up to five or six feet tall making it easy to enjoy their excellent fragrance. This is one of the dwarfer form of the giant Yunnan Lily, with basal rosettes of shiny leaves that in early spring resemble those of a glossy Hosta. ... Learn More

(Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehnii). The much rarer and slightly dwarfer form of the "Giant Yunnan Lily" has been collected for us on the Russian island of Sakhalin. Massive, fragrant, creamy white trumpets hang from strong tall stems, which rise above large, thick, dark green, leathery leaves. ... Learn More

The "Giant Yunnan Lily" or "Giant Himalayan Lily" is a stately giant, producing two inch thick stems, with dinner plate sized leaves above which open numerous eight inch green and white waxy, very fragrant trumpets, followed by enormous "everlasting", toothed seed-pods when dried. A fantastic plant in all respects which blooms in late spring to early summer. Adaptable to partial shade or full sun, this plant thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. It's hardy in zones 6-9 and requires moderate watering. If you're seeking to cultivate your own outdoor haven, these seeds provide an opportunity to ... Learn More

Dense, erect tussocks of copper-bronze make this one of the most sought after and grown architectural plants. When grown as a solitary specimen it makes a stunning effect with contrasting flowers or silver foliage plants. ... Learn More

A delightful tufted plant producing an evergreen clump of whippy, bronzed, reddish leaves, which make an impressive statement in an exposed spot. This is one of the desirable, often expensive grasses but is easily grown from seed. ... Learn More

From New Zealand comes another lovely form of Carex comans, which forms a compact and most attractive yellow "haystack", perhaps "weeping willow" would be more accurate, from which protrude long, whip-like stems studded with terminal brown seed heads. ... Learn More

Solid tussocks of almost metallic bronze, sprout long thin whip-like stems carrying terminal clusters of seeds. An impressive specimen given enough space, whether in the ground or in a container. ... Learn More

A rare and very ornamental grass carrying large, spiked, star-like seed heads, certainly the largest heads of all sedges, which bear a distinct resemblance to the old spiked maces. Superb for cutting or flower arrangements and a wonderful clumping specimen if given room. ... Learn More

A delectable new grass from Japan. Superb spring foliage emerges in shades of pink and bronze, darkening later. Unlike any pictures we have been able to research, but this new grass is absolutely superb whatever its true identity. ... Learn More

The largest of the common sedges, making an enormous pampas grass-sized clump of broad almost lily-like leaves, beneath stout arching stems, which hold long drooping spikes of russet coloured flowers. ... Learn More