This very rapid growing architectural curiosity is often grown as an attractive 'spot plant', although it is more usually grown as a fresh vegetable. You can simply pull the continuously produced, stunning, purple-centred leaves off, and these can be used either as young leaves in salads, or mature leaves cooked like spinach, although the best tasting parts of the plant are the tender growing tips, which can be harvested continuously, making the plant become bushy. It tastes very much like chard or spinach with a hint of asparagus when cooked. This plant, a relative of quinoa, also has edi ... Learn More

A are and quite superb rockery or wall gem which produces arching stems carrying sprays of yellow 'lambs tail' flowers, sprouting from hardy evergreen succulent rosettes. A very long lived, tough and hardy, high value plant. Seed is absolutely tiny and best results may be produced by gently pushing seeds into cracks in the wall or rockery. Makes a gorgeous display even in the hottest spot on a wall or rockery. ... Learn More

From New Zealand comes the amazing legendary "Hunangemoho Grass". Low, tidy clumps of sharp green blades erupt into thick, strong, arching stems, supporting massive, 18 inch divided golden sprays. Impresses all of our visitors growing strongly in our New Zealand gardens here. ... Learn More

Some people see chrysanthemums as a little old fashioned but we disagree! This vibrant tricoloured daisy flowered mixture can brighten up any any modern garden. Easy to grow and flowering for a long period throughout summer. ... Learn More

An abundance of tall stems carry swathes of giant white petalled, yellow eyed, daisy flowers thoughout late summer. Clumps will gradually spread and will return reliably each season. ... Learn More

Purplish stems carrying arching spires of fragrant white flowers in mid-autumn, from September into October, rise above shiny divided leaves. One of the treasures of the autumn garden, this is a magnificent and very valuable mid or back of border plant. ... Learn More

Large, frilly-petalled, golden-eyed, purple-pink flowers open in early summer on this superb, easy-to-grow plant which is perfect for a really hot border or shrubbery. Native to south-western Europe and western north Africa, it is often grown solely for its attractive, greyish-white oblong leaves. ... Learn More

An exceptional pink hybrid seedling here years ago, possibly with some of the blood of the rare Cistus palhinhae we collected in Portugal. Huge, frilly, paler-eyed pink flowers cover this dwarf shrub in spring and early summer. Will thrive in a baking hot position. ... Learn More

A compact and bushy, evergreen shrub, flowering from February until June, with colours that can vary from rose pink to purple. It is native to southern Europe and the area around the eastern Mediterranean, but is naturalized in other areas of the world, such as California. It prefers a well-drained soil and does best in full sun. All cistus do best if pruned after flowering which will retain shape and provide healthy young growth for next years flowers. The seeds were collected at 2000m if that is relevant. This plant is the source of the resin labdanum - used in perfumes as a replacement fo ... Learn More

In spring, handsome clusters of large round buds enclosed in red sepals open into golden-eyed, chalk-white flowers, over a dense bush of very attractive, pointed, fresh-green aromatic leaves which have deeply ruffled edges. No other flowering shrub will tolerate such tough dry conditions yet continue to produce blossom for so long and with such impact. ... Learn More

Very large, golden-eyed, frilly white flowers open on bushes of coarse rough leaves. This spectacular plant does best in a hot, well-drained spot where it will be most attractive to all pollinating insects. Very few seeds collected. ... Learn More

Usually a pale green to yellow when ripe, this amazing fruit is much larger than a grapefruit, with sweet flesh and thick spongy rind. By far the largest citrus in the world, the pummelo can reach 12" in diameter. Similar in appearance to a large grapefruit, it is native to South and Southeast Asia and is a natural citrus fruit, not a hybrid, and is indeed one of the original citrus species from which the rest of cultivated citrus were produced by hybridisation. The pummelo tree itself bears most attractive white flowers and generally has a somewhat crooked trunk and low, irregular branches. ... Learn More

Citrus trifoliata, commonly known as Trifoliate Orange, is a cold-hardy, deciduous citrus species native to China and Korea. Unlike typical citrus trees, it has distinctive trifoliate leaves and spiny, green stems, giving it an ornamental appeal even in winter. In spring, fragrant white flowers appear, followed by small, yellow-orange fruits in late summer to autumn. Although the fruits are highly aromatic, they have a much more bitter taste compared to other citrus, making them less desirable for fresh consumption but ideal for marmalades, preserves, or as a rootstock for grafting other c ... Learn More

Growing up to one metre with lance-shaped leaves and leafy racemes of red, double flowers in summer. Sow seeds directly in the ground in early spring or autumn in a well drained, sunny or partially shaded position. Useful for cottage and informal gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. ... Learn More

Clarkia is one of the easiest of summer flowers to grow and is so reminiscent of English cottage gardens. Masses of soft, double flowers in reds, pinks, mauves and white appear from July to September. At its best when it is grown in bold clumps, it is perfect in beds and borders and makes a lovely cut flower. Can be over-wintered as a pot plant. ... Learn More