Sheets of stemless golden flowers open on a moss-like cushion on this potential show-winner that resembles some of the cushion androsaces. One of the most lovely alpines, this rare, choice, diminutive and very desirable mat-forming plant is found across North America where it grows above 9000ft, although it was first discovered in the Wind River range of Wyoming in the 1870's. Very few seeds collected. ... Learn More

Polished, needle-like foliage and disproportionately-large, brilliant silvery blue, "dragonhead", helmet-shaped flowers, each highlighted with a light blue lip, appear for a very long time from late May to August. This is a long-lived perennial that forms dark green mounds with distinctive foliage, rather reminiscent of a penstemon, with which it could easily be confused. Completely deciduous in winter, it is remarkably drought tolerant, and is also suitable for containers, rock gardens or perennial borders. ... Learn More

In early spring, beautifully patterned foliage arises, from which ascends a huge, lurid purple spathe, which can be more than 2 feet long. the "Dragon Lily", is the most impressive of all of the European aroids, found in the wild in clefts in rocky gorges and along waterways, from the Eastern Mediterranean, Crete, the Aegean Islands, mainland Greece, the Balkans and south west Turkey. Although it smells like rotting meat, which are its efforts to attract pollinating flies, it nevertheless makes a unique addition to the average garden. Very few large fertile seeds are ever collected. ... Learn More

Showy, pale pink male flowers and modest white female flowers appear on dark red shoots in spring on this attractive and very striking evergreen shrub. In a well-drained spot it is remarkably hardy. ... Learn More

One of the classic alpines, this lovely plant bears nodding, primrose-yellow buds which open into slightly paler buttermilk flowers on woody stems, the foliage consisting of tiny, leathery leaves with a grey reverse. Finally, the large impressive fuzzy ball of a seed head opens. ... Learn More

This lovely plant bears nodding, cream buds which open into slightly paler ivory flowers on woody stems, the foliage consisting of tiny, leathery leaves with a grey reverse. Finally, the large impressive fuzzy ball of a seed head opens. ... Learn More

This elegant fern has robust foliage and is able to withstand a sunnier site and drier soil than most hardy ferns. In mild locations the foliage may remain standing all winter, but elsewhere it dies down, but is happiest in a cool, shady, sheltered humus-rich situation. More tolerant of sun than many other types of ferns, it is also a good choice for border plantings. It was originally thought to be the partner of lady fern, and like all ferns, this prehistoric plant does not produce flowers, reproducing via spores produced beneath the fronds. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). ... Learn More

(Duchesnea indica variegata) "Tutti-Frutti" or "Indian Strawberry" Whatever next! Can you believe a strawberry with yellow flowers. And this is the rare variegated-leaved form. Attractive red berries (edible, although pippy, but loved by birds) and very similar to alpine strawberries, are produced all summer, on a creeping evergreen carpet. Perfect hanging over a wall or rockery. ... Learn More

Can you believe a strawberry with yellow flowers. Attractive red berries (edible, although pippy, but loved by birds) and very similar to alpine strawberries, are produced all summer, on a creeping evergreen carpet. This is the more-vigorous form of the variegated form and is perfect hanging over a wall or on a rockery, where it will stifle all low-lying weeds. ... Learn More

A rare plant, endemic to Ullung Island off of Korea in the Sea of Japan, which as well as being an attractive umbellifer, apparently has leaves and young stems with a good flavour, rather like celery but with a bit of a bite, and which apparently are very nutritious. The young leaves and stems can produce the earliest possible harvestable garden crop in many cold climates, sometimes as early as mid March! ... Learn More

Its name alone is a mouthful. And that is precisely what your curious friends will have when they touch the small plum-shaped fruits on the amazing and aptly named "Squirting-Cucumber". Yellow flowers on radiating stems produce intriguing hanging fruits. Unwary inspection triggers the incredible seed distribution method. The swollen fruit breaks off and shoots downwards (remember Newton's Laws of Reaction) propelled by a high speed jet of seeds and water. Ouch! Never fails to impress. ... Learn More

A vigorous scrambler, perfect for covering an evergreen shrub, with red, orange or yellow tubular flowers, produced freely from June to October in multi-flowered trusses. Makes a hardy overwintering tuber, but flowers first year from seed. ... Learn More

The pale-flowered trumpets of the "Chilean Glory Vine" are perfect for a darker corner where other climbers will sulk. This climber, as well as being bone hardy, will perform for years with absolutely no attention, dying down each winter into a completely hardy tuber! ... Learn More

Very large reddish-purple flowers with pronounced golden-brown cone-centres are produced from July until mid-autumn. Ideal for cutting, these plants will perform best on well-prepared humus-rich soil. (aka 'Ruby Star') ... Learn More

'White Swan' is a popular variety of "Cone Flower, producing bronze-centred white flowers from July to October. This form is shorter than others, making it a great, easy-to-grow mid-border plant which will thrive in any decent soil and does not require staking making it excellent for cutting. It produces in as little as four months from seed an abundance of large, pure white flowers with down-swept white petals surrounding a large central cone and possesses a lovely honey fragrance, much appreciated by bees. ... Learn More