One of the most distinctive features of the English countryside in spring is this sweet-smelling tree or shrub which is smothered with blossom in May, hence one of its more common names. In Autumn, the bushes are heavily laden with bright red fleshy berries, much loved by birds. And for the obsessively curious it is also known as: Ske (Old Irish), Porn (Old Norse), Hag (Old English), Hagthorn, Azzy Tree, Holy Innocents' May, Quickthorn, May-Tree, Whitethorn, White-May, Thorn-bush, Quick, Mother-die, Awes, Asogs, Azzies, Aglets, Agags, Arzy-garzies, Boojuns. ... Learn More

A rare medium-sized tree with prolific white blossom in spring followed by yellow haws. Practically thornless. Thrives in any soil other than waterlogged, in a sunny position. Dotted hawthorn is often used in landscaping for its ornamental features, including its fragrant flowers and decorative berries. It can be employed in hedges, as a specimen plant, or in naturalized areas. The berries of Crataegus punctata are a valuable food source for birds, contributing to its ecological significance. ... Learn More

This rare and beautiful daisy, which bears nodding, dark-eyed yellow daisies with twisted petals, grows high in the Himalayas where it thrives in damp shady meadows. A challenge to grow but worth the effort! ... Learn More

Orange-red flowerheads, usually red in bud, open in spring over tight tussocks of lance-shaped to obovate, light green hairy leaves. Native to the Alps and also the Balkan peninsula, this rugged alpine will perform well either on a rock garden or in the border. ... Learn More

The "Chilean Lantern Tree" is truly one of the world's most attractive plants you can ever grow. Garden visitors seeing the heavy bunches of attractive, crimson, waxy urn-shaped pendent flowers in early summer just cannot wait to rush into our plant nursery to buy one for themselves, and we can rarely grow enough to supply demand! Finally, large, attractive seed pods holding large seeds appear in August and September. ... Learn More

A close but much rarer relative of the "Chilean Lantern Tree" from the cold region of Patagonia in South America. Pretty sprays of fragrant, frilly white bell-shaped flowers appear in late summer followed by red, locket-like seed-pods, which persist into late autumn. ... Learn More

From robust clumps of sword-shaped leaves in spring, thrust up strong, branching spikes of brilliant red, flared, funnel-shaped flowers in mid-summer. This superb and reliable very long-lived performer is happy in any position . ... Learn More

A superb collection of different forms of this lovely range of plants collected from our large collection, including many colourful and large-flowered cultivars such as 'Jackanapes', 'Emily McEnzie', 'Queen of Spain', 'Moira Reed', and many more. ... Learn More

Originally from Greece, this crocus has perfectly formed, white goblet-shaped flowers with bright yellow anthers and an orange style. The flowers are lightly perfumed and appear in September through to October, with it being a mid-season form. ... Learn More

This is an autumn or early winter-flowering perennial corm, the leaves appearing after the flowers. The flowers are silvery lilac-blue, with fine darker veining plus a conspicuous deep yellow throat. This pretty and delicate meadow plant of northern Greece and Turkey is quite possible to grow in light grass, either in sun or part shade. ... Learn More

A vigorous, spring-flowering crocus with large, lilac flowers and a yellow throat, with a deeper purple veining on the outside of the petals. A welcome splash of colour to the spring garden after the long winter months. ... Learn More

Perhaps the easiest of crocuses to grow, these lovely blue flowers which are a shining silver-grey on the outside with bright yellow anthers, are one of the best to naturalise as they will self-seed readily and also increase by offsets. They do very well in short grass, are hardy throughout the British Isles and are always a welcome sight in late winter. They are also magnets for any insects that may be active so early in the year. ... Learn More

A popular flower in any spring garden, bringing a splash of vivid, bright purple flowers, Suitable for a wide range of planting styles from pots and containers, rock gardens or path edging and also look very impressive naturalised in grassy areas and lawns. ... Learn More

This woody, perennial climbing vine, which is native to south-west Madagascar has attractive, quilled pinkish purple flowers. It is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, sometimes in the tropics extending by as much as five metres in a month. In the tropics, flowering usually occurs after the wet season ends, along with fruit set. Its sap, or latex, when treated contains commercial quality rubber. It is now naturalised in the Caribbean, East Africa, Mauritius, India, south east Asia, Indonesia, Latin America, the southern United States, Fiji and New Caledonia. ... Learn More

This intriguing, rare and beautiful curiosity from the hills of Japan has creeping, straggling stems, which are covered with small pointed leaves and frilly greenish-white flowers, which in turn produce blackcurrant-like berries. Surprisingly, this mound-forming plant is a most unlikely member of the dianthus family. In woodland or a shady place it will gently romp along and mystify all who see it! ... Learn More