The "Umbrella Plant" makes an attractive feature in a bright window or sun lounge where it produces strong stems topped with striking umbrella-like spokes. On mature plants, sprays of white flowers appear. It may also be used as an impressive marginal plant in a pond or bog garden. If planted deeply it will survive the average winter although is best given winter protection. It is a native of the swamps of Madagascar and a relative of the famous Papyrus of the Nile river and is also sometimes called Umbrella Papyrus, Umbrella Sedge or Umbrella Palm. ... Learn More

This new and extremely lovely plant was discovered on the baking hot dry slopes surrounding Lake Chira, high on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Spreading stems sport numerous large spurred and spiked seedheads. Unlike many members of this family this plant obviously thrives in the dry! ... Learn More

An outstandingly decorative plant deservedly given the R.H.S. Award of Garden Merit. Compact rosettes of broad leaves are produced beneath numerous sprays of intricately formed, frilly green flowerheads, attractively striped with mahogany. A very adaptable plant which excels in damp or wet soi, but still does perfectly well in dry conditions. ... Learn More

Cyperus polystachyos 'Chimney Sweeper', commonly known as Chimney Sweeper Sedge, is a striking ornamental sedge characterized by its upright, grassy foliage and unique inflorescences that resemble miniature chimneys or sweeping brushes. Its many-spiked flower heads, ranging from dark brown to black, create a bold, architectural element in water gardens, borders, or naturalized areas. This versatile plant thrives in moist to wet soils and tolerates periodic flooding, making it ideal for rain gardens, pondsides, or low-lying garden areas. Chimney Sweeper prefers full sun to partial shade, and ... Learn More

Compact green clumps push up strong stems on this exceptionally attractive "grass", which bears impressive heads of spiky green and brown sea-urchin-like inflorescences, making them most unusual cut flowers! It thrives in damp or even wet places where stems will grow bigger, but does perfectly well in the dry. ... Learn More

Like its closely-related cousins the ordinary common tomatoes, the egg-size fruit makes good eating, and is typically made into jams or conserve, although it is recommended that the skin and seeds are removed before cooking. It is easily grown from seed and makes an attractive contrast to the more typical foliage of cannas, gingers and bananas. The roots of this plant are quite tough surviving moderate frosts, and in relatively mild areas usually re-grow from the base. It therefore makes either a fruiting shrub, or even a perennial tree, with a trunk, producing a crop of fruit yearly in warme ... Learn More

Cyphomandra betacea 'Yellow', commonly known as Yellow Tamarillo or Yellow Tree Tomato, is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Andes region of South America. It produces large, heart-shaped leaves with a purple tinge, adding ornamental value to gardens. In spring to early summer, it bears clusters of small, fragrant, pink-white flowers, which give way to egg-shaped, glossy yellow fruits approximately 10 cm (4 inches) in length. The yellow fruits have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to the red variety, making them ideal for fresh consumption or culinary uses such as ja ... Learn More

This superb, elegant, and and much-cherished slow-growing tropical palm has a thin, bright green trunk adorned with white rings and a long, glossy, crimson crownshaft, from which the shuttlecock crown of fronds with unusual bright scarlet stems and leaf ribs emerge. One of the world's most stunning palms, it also lends itself to making a magnificent parlour plant, all it asks is warmth with good light. ... Learn More

This beautiful flower is widespread in the British Isles where it is found at up to 600 m above sea level. It is the more northerly equivalent of D. praetermissa with a delightful stocky dwarf habit with deep blue-tinged, green leaves and compact crowded flower spikes of deep rich violet-purple flowers. The individual blooms are deeply coloured and have a characteristic diamond shaped lip. It grows well and bulks up, doubling annually in ordinary garden soil, which is ideally damp but well drained. ... Learn More

Dahlia australis, commonly known as Southern Dahlia, is a species dahlia native to regions of Mexico and Guatemala. This herbaceous perennial is characterized by its upright growth habit, reaching heights of up to 150 cm. It features dark stems and bright green, trifoliate leaves. In late summer to early autumn, it produces nodding, star-shaped single blooms approximately 5 cm across, with eight pointed lilac-pink petals surrounding a yellow central disc. While it may be shy to flower under certain conditions, when it does, it adds a delicate charm to the garden. Thriving in full sun and well- ... Learn More

Cactus Dahlias make for an impressive display, bearing curvaceous, spiky blooms in a range bright colours. Their star-shaped flower form means they stand up well to inclement weather, because they’re less prone to being weighed down by heavy rain, or blown about by wind, than other Dahlia types. They are easy to grow from seed and make excellent cut flowers. For best results grow in full sun in moist but well-drained soil, and lift the tubers in November to overwinter for the following year. ... Learn More

Pendulous bell-shaped, golden-eyed, pale lavender flowers, up to 6 inches or 15 cm. across, hang from the enormous blooming panicle that can reach one metre across. Surely the rarest and grandest of all Dahlias, and seldom seen in gardens, it was only recently discovered in cool cloud forest at high elevations, (around 2000 m.) in Oaxaca, Mexico, where it is accustomed to cool days and not-too-cold nights. This gorgeous, statuesque, deciduous perennial tree dahlia, with towering height and bamboo-like stems can grow up to 3 m tall. It is late-flowering, from September onwards (in the northern ... Learn More

Numerous brightest orange-red flowers open in late summer on plants which have quite finely dissected, bright green foliage. Originating from the mountainous regions of Mexico, they can grow extrely large in the right conditions, especially in good soil and with shelter of a wall. Although often reputed to be tender, the plants that produced these seeds have lived happily outside here with no protection for more than 15 years. ... Learn More

This improved dwarf strain of Dahlia is a superb mix of vibrant colours - yellows, oranges and red, to pink, white and purples. Producing double and semi-double blooms against a backdrop of lush, deep bronze foliage, they are ideal for larger pots and planters, in borders or dotted around to fill in gaps. Very easy to manage and will deliver a good performance come rain or shine in summer. ... Learn More

Reputedly the largest of all dahlias, this Mexican giant, in perfect sheltered conditions, can grow up to 5-8m tall, but not quite that tall in the UK! Enormous, dense clusters of large, golden-centred, pinkish-mauve flowers open on the strong, bamboo-like stems. These are thick and become woody at the base, and along with the dark green, divided, velvety leaves, often have a purplish tinge. Budding and flowering, usually in September, is initiated by a long warm autumn and days getting shorter. This magnificent beast is an unbeatable architectural plant for a warm exotic border or a large c ... Learn More