"New Zealand Tie-Palm". A long lived 'palm' producing a slowly thickening trunk, carrying at the top a rosette of long, purple, strap-shaped leaves. This tree is in the same family, and similar to a "Dragon Tree" or dracaena, but is much hardier in winter, and easier and faster to grow. Older plants grow enormous panicles of deeply scented white flowers in early summer, the perfume can be overpowering on warm nights, and these later produce white berries in autumn and winter. Severe winters can kill the leaves but this invariably results in the trunk sprouting several heads. Seeds are only i ... Learn More

Rare and very difficult to source from apparently anywhere in the world, this graceful long-leaved Cordyline from the North Island and the north-western parts of the South Island of New Zealand grows in coastal and lowland scrub and rocky banks. Even in New Zealand it is not especially well-known compared to the much more familiar Cordyline australis and indivisa plants. In mid-summer enormous sprays of white flowers are produced followed by heavy, cucumber-shaped bunches of small round red/purple berries. The leaves are quite different from Cordyline australis being longer and broader in th ... Learn More

One of the more compact and stout members of the cordyline family, this rare and unusual member has multiple branches of wide, strappy leaves diverging from the trunk. The large panicles of flowers, followed by white seed capsules, are held stiffly erect above the foliage unlike other species which are pendulous. In New Zealand, it is quite common on the main islands of the Three Kings which are now protected as Nature Reserves. It is very localised and possibly at some risk on Norfolk Island, and is less common south of there, but still rather widespread, especially on remote Murimotu and the ... Learn More

This rare and striking smallish species bears deep green rosettes of leaves on branching stems. Very large spikes of spectacular, fragrant purple flowers, white inside, open in mid summer, creating a dazzlingly dramatic effect. The amazing display is followed by heavy clusters of large berries containing hard black seeds. This smallish Cordyline lives in the wild in moist, temperate forests in southern Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia at altitudes of up to 2200m (7200 ft.). It is a tough plant that prefers cool climates and can take windy conditions and considerable freezes. So ... Learn More

This small clump forming perennial produces long stemmed,daisy like, bright yellow flowers with lance shaped leaves. A very popular plant with a wide range of pollinators from bees and butterflies to wasps and beetles, so perfect for wildlife gardens or those who just want to encourage more wildlife to their gardens. It is also an attractive cut flower, and regular deadheading will encourge blooms to continue from late spring through to early summer. Happiest in full sun and well drained soil conditions. ... Learn More

A valuable new addition to the cottage garden bed where it will shine happily in clumps at the front edge or fill gaps between perennials. Being a rich shade of deep red, it is eye-catching in its own right but also acts as a foil for less attractive foliage plants. ... Learn More

Vivid swathes of bright yellow, red to brown flowers will flower just two months after sowing making this a great space filler for an instant summer display. Technically perennial in the right place these are best grown as an annual in the UK especially in colder parts. Can be sown in pots/trays or direct to ground. ... Learn More

This rare deciduous sub-shrub, originating from E Nepal, is notable for its striking fruit and foliage. Red arching stems bear opposite pairs of pinnately arranged fern-like leaves, and terminal cylindrical spikes of red-tipped flowers which are later followed by very unusual, succulent, spherical, lobed, translucent, amber-yellow, flower-like fruits in summer and through autumn. It grows with a semi-prostrate habit quite low to the ground. ... Learn More

This outstanding shrub or small tree bears long-lived "flowerheads" of enormous, impressive, buttercup-shaped flowers, consisting of waxy, creamy, butter-coloured bracts, followed by large red, strawberry-like fruits, which ripen right into early winter, producing a truly impressive sight. These are not really edible for us discriminating humans, but animals and birds love the ample fleshy insides. This is vaguely sweet, and tastes of nothing really, but can perhaps be likened to a large flavourless strawberry, amply filled with smooth, round, woody seeds, the size of small lemon pips! Anyway, ... Learn More

This extremely attractive, erect, bushy shrub bears branching, woody stems covered with small grey green leathery leaves. In summer it produces clusters of beautiful starry yellow flowers followed by yellow berry fruits. It is perfect for for coastal and windy and exposed gardens and is quite incredibly hardy, coming from high elevations in New Zealand, and accordingly makes an impressive hedging shrub. ... Learn More

This delicate, dwarf, and rarely offered primula relative bears umbels of deeply cleft, purple bells on delicate stems in early spring. In the wild it grows in moist damp woodlands and mountain meadows in north eastern Europe, where it produces attractive clumps of jagged-edged leaves and self-seeds readily. It will do the same in the garden provided it has shade and good damp organic soil to grow in. ... Learn More

Larger in all of its parts than Cortusa matthioli, this rarely-offered, vigorous herbaceous perennial has light green rounded scalloped leaves, which make dense clumps in a relatively short time. Borne on slender stems reaching a height of more than 12 inches, the rich purple-pink, pendulous, bell-like flowers are clustered, often densely, at the top, usually hanging from one side. Very few seeds collected. ... Learn More

Bronze tinged ferny foliage makes a perfect backdrop for the endless sprays of golden yellow flowers. This lovely plant will naturalise in a suitable position, even in cracks in a wall or in a dull, dark spot, and never become a nuisance. ... Learn More

This new impressive poppy relative is a lovely clump-forming plant with strong much-dividing stems bearing masses of delicate ferny leaves and carrying on the end of each branch a large multiple flower head of yellow, brown and white flowers. This is the biggest, fastest-growing and most amazing corydalis we have ever encountered. ... Learn More

This extremely rare, beautiful and valuable new discovery from the Arctic wastes of Eastern Russia bears a long succession of large, chocolate-tipped yellow flowers, which are produced throughout the spring and summer above a solid, soft foil of delicate ferny foliage. In a well-prepared bed it can reach nearly a metre in height and is exceptional on a north bank here. ... Learn More