Looking a bit like the stereotype of an aliens head, the flowers of this ancient plant are only one part of its attraction. Above a ruff of green bracts sits a spiky green 'face' with white hair, and above it all, a dangerous-looking spiky hairdo! But historically, the dried flower-heads are interestingly distinct. They were used by 'Fullers' to raise the 'nap'on cloth. Whereas those of the well known Common Teasel have long, unhooked bracts, these have hundreds of tiny, stiff, downward-turned, velcro-like hooks amazingly and geometrically arranged. ... Learn More

Short stems of slightly hairy, leathery leaves carry pendant bells of softest cream-yellow which are followed by long lasting, bright orange berries in the autumn. A native of western North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows in shady forest and woodland, including redwood forests. ... Learn More

From clumps of attractive foliage arise strong, dark purple stems bearing magenta pink flowers with the stamens being prominently dark purple. This dwarf plant is the most northernmost species in the genus, and is found in alpine and tundra meadows from northern British Columbia, southern Northwest Territories (Mackenzie District), and northwestern Saskatchewan, the Yukon and most of Alaska. ... Learn More

This attractive herbaceous plant has white or pink petals which nod from an umbel, protruding from a scape 8 to 20 inches tall. It flowers in the spring and is found in the American South, as well as the Upper Midwest, Kansas, New York, and the Canadian province of Manitoba where it grows in the woods and prairies. ... Learn More

These sprays of distinctive, swept-back, purple petals give this flower its common name of "Shooting Stars", resembling tiny cyclamen flowers on primula stems (and related to both). The clusters of flowers are held on strong stems above clumps of fleshy, lanceolate, tongue-shaped leaves. ... Learn More

This lovely, long-leafed shrub produces shiny leaves, whilst the flowers of this tree mature into attractive winged fruits which become red or purple as they mature, making it a popular garden plant in warmer areas. It has a wide distribution of areas where it will thrive, from subtropical to warm temperate region. The wood is unusually tough and durable and the Maori of New Zealand have used it to fashion clubs and other weapons, the Maori name for the shrub, akeake, meaning "forever and ever" ... Learn More

"Leopard's Bane". In spring, many branching stems of large, bright yellow, daisy flowers appear and are continuously produced for weeks on end. The entire plant spreads very slowly via small tubers and is thus also ideal for the wild garden. ... Learn More

Velvety, fleshy, pulpy fruit, rather like a tomato or small apple, fills this rarely-seen member of, believe it or not, the willow family! An attractive tree at all times, it is widely grown in warm temperate to tropical gardens around the world. And as it is many-branching, and has a dense crown, It is also used as an inpenetrable hedging plant, on account of the masses of spines that adorn the inner branches. And finally, it has valuable uses in local and popular medicine, specifically for relieving pain and rheumatism. ... Learn More

This rather diminutive alpine is a slow growing, mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial. It has rosettes of small, dark-green leaves and in late spring, bears racemes of fragrant, bright yellow flowers. It is ideal for pan culture or on a small scree or rock-garden. ... Learn More

This very distinctive species from Spain and the Pyrenees makes a tiny hard rosette of shiny green, toothed foliage with heads of disproportionately large white flowers. A diminutive, cushion-forming alpine which is amongst the earliest of rockery plants to bloom, and can be enjoyed even more closely in a trough. Best in gritty, evenly moist soil and full sun or partial shade. ... Learn More

From May to July cross-shaped white flowers open on diminutive stalks which in time make up small shiny-leafed cushions. First described in 1802 by Johann Rudolf Suter, it is native to the mountainous regions of the Iberian Peninsula, France, the Apennine Peninsula, Central Europe, eastern Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. ... Learn More

This American draba makes soft cushions of dark green, pointed leaves, above which arise short stems of bright yellow flowers in very early spring. ... Learn More

Similar to D. borealis but smaller in all its parts. Japan, on inland mountain cliffs. Loose rosettes with white flowers in early spring. Sun to part shade, gritty, sharply drained soil. Asia Hardy to –30 degrees F Brassicaceae ... Learn More

Making tiny cushions of pointed, hairy leaves, and bunches of yellow starry flowers on thin stems, this tiny alpine is best-grown either in a pot in an alpine house or on a moist scree. ... Learn More

Usually densely tufted hummocks consisting of spiny rosettes produce racemes of yellow flowers in early spring. These tiny treasures grow best in full sun in gritty, sharply drained soil such as where they grow in the rocky grasslands in the Eastern Alps, Carpathians and Balkans. ... Learn More