The rarely offered and very lovely snow white form of "Rosebay Willowherb" is an extremely long-flowering plant which is not quite as invasive as its pink relative. Coming true from seed, it makes a dazzling foil to other brighter flowers in any area where it can be controlled and prevented from straying too far. In poor soil or a wild garden it makes an impressive sight! ... Learn More

This absolutely diminutive, rather rare, summer-flowering perennial is found in the alpine screes and rocky areas from 900–1800m altitude in the mountains of New Zealand's South Island from Nelson to Arthur's Pass where it makes a prostrate creeping carpet of tiny succulent leaves spangled with almost stemless, pretty pink flowers. Later, the curious, erect seed pods are formed, from which the tiny gossamer seed-parachutes are soon blown aloft, but rarely to become a pest! ... Learn More

Greyish narrow leaves and massed spires of rosy pink blooms on this dainty Russian plant. Flowers for a long period in midsummer. Neither weedy nor invasive. "A beautiful plant in full flower." (G.S.T.) ... Learn More

This compact and delightful flower from the Alps is seriously under-used in the garden where its delicate, fragrant, pink flowers, which have four pointed thin dark purple sepals and four bright pink ovate petals, borne on reddish stems against gray-green foliage, would be a welcome addition. It is native to the European mountain regions and to nearby mountain ranges such as the Carpathians, where it typically colonises acid gravels near rivers particularly after the retreat of a glacier. It immediately reminds you of Chamerion angustifolium (Rosebay Willowherb) but is instead a lovely, dwarf, non-invasive plant with flowers disproportionately large for such a small alpine. ... Learn More

A clump forming narrow grey/blue leaved grass which produces long open panicles of white flower spikelets in summer. As the name suggests these panicles float and dance in the wind on breezy summers days. Ideal for the mid to back of a border. ... Learn More

This lovely geographical variant has larger yellow flowers than the commonly encountered form, and these open around a month later giving a useful progression in the garden. The ruff of leaves also has many more frilly segments which are attractively tinged bronze as they emerge from the ground. It comes from areas around the Mediterranean, especially Turkey and is soundly perennial in ordinary garden soil but enjoys a warmer, sunnier, drier spot than its relatives. ... Learn More

This dazzling plant, which is totally hardy and very long-lived, competes with the snowdrop as the first flower of the year, but is too seldom grown or seen. Buttercup yellow shiny flowers above tiny posies of cut leaves, sprouting from tubers which slowly multiply over the years. ... Learn More

Beautiful star-shaped flowers, in shades of brown and purple, grown on spikes which can grow up to 2 feet high. The grey-green, straplike leaves grow in a tuft from the crown at the base. Prefers a sunny spot, in well drained soil and is ideal for beds and borders. ... Learn More

This is probably the largest of the foxtail lilies, growing to a staggering 3m tall. It produces very tall spires of pale pink flowers with yellow stamens atop leafless stems which tower above all else in the early summer border. The individual florets open from the base and continue upward, the effect being particularly dramatic when lit from behind. ... Learn More

Dense racemes of fragrant, star-shaped golden-yellow flowers cluster on erect leafless stems. This hardy perennial variety forms a long-lived and slowly-improving clump of narrow strap-shaped leaves and will bring trouble-free interest to any garden. ... Learn More

Desert Candles are native to dry, semi -desert grasslands and so need lots of sun and well drained soil and a sheltered position from wind. They produce tall flower spikes from low, rosette like strap leaves which make it an ideal addition to the back of borders and beds. A real magnet for pollinators due to the sheer number of flowers, but if you can spare them from the garden and the bees, they are great for cutting to give a real impact and height to any floral arrangement. In some areas, additional frost protection maybe needed to protect the roots. Also known as foxtail lilies or desert candles, eremurus produce tall flower spikes (called racemes) from low, rosette-like strap-shaped leaves in the early part of summer and flower till midsummer. These spectacular 'racemes' can reach a height of anything from 1-3 metres depending on the variety. A half hardy perennial, these plants need lots of sun and good soil drainage as it is native to dry semi-desert grasslands. Foxtail lilies will also need frost protection and shelter from wind in the case of the taller varieties. Group Fleshy-rooted perennial Flowering time Early to midsummer Planting time Spring or late summer to early autumn Height & spread 1-3m (3-9ft) by 0.4-1.5m (20in-5ft) Aspect South facing, full sun Hardiness Hardy, but requires free draining soil Difficulty Difficult ... Learn More

From strong rosettes of spoon-shaped, hairy, medium green leaves arise flowers which are lilac-blue to red-purple coloured with greenish-yellow centres. It will be excellent in a well-drained spot on a rockery. ... Learn More

Only recently developed from a chance seedling, this gorgeous, exceptionally dwarf, bone-hardy alpine has golden-eyed bright mauve, rather than pinkish daisy flowers. These burst open from late spring to early summer, above a slow-growing, semi-evergreen cushion, making it a perfect butterfly and bee plant, ideal for rockery, border or even a container! ... Learn More

One of the more delightful members of the daisy tribe, this lovely plant, forming compact rosettes, should be planted into a very well-drained crevice or scree, when it will produce an almost endless supply of bright buttermilk-yellow flowers for a very long time, even into early winter. The modern cultivar "Canary Bird" was developed from this species. We supply good, but admittedly very few cleaned seeds. ... Learn More

Spathulate leaves make a compact clump and also clad the short stems which bear mauve-rayed flowers with large golden eyes. This lovely alpine is also one of Britain's rarest native flowers and can only be found on a very few mountain tops including Ben Lawers in central Scotland. ... Learn More