An absolutely superb rare and most desirable new plant from the mountains of central Japan, source of so many treasures. Large upward-facing saucers, of a darker veined magenta red, are produced almost endlessly from early summer into late autumn, on a nice compact cushion of hairy leaves. Long-lived, bone hardy and well-behaved...What more can you ask? ... Learn More

A most unusual seedling appeared one day. Tight upright habit, compact trusses of upward-facing pale pink flowers. We concluded that as it appeared between the two, its parents were most probably G. clarkei 'Kashmir White' and G. sylvaticum. The seedlings displayed astonishing diversity, all having the same massed flower heads, but in colours from palest pinks to deepest blues. ... Learn More

From a central rosette of attractively marbled spring foliage, prostrate spreading stems with large numbers of smallish, violet-veined white flowers with purple-pollened anthers. The stems of this vigorous Japanese low crawler root as they spread, making it a worthwhile ground coverer or weed stifler. ... Learn More

Large numbers of blood red veined pink funnel-shaped flowers, from spring and throughout summer, adorn this low spreader, which stifles weeds whilst hybridising busily with other geraniums producing fascinating offspring. ... Learn More

On a compact slowly spreading carpet appears a non-stop display from June onwards of upward-facing white-eyed sky blue flowers. "A pearl beyond price" (Graham Stuart Thomas), but alas a reluctant seed producer - the elusive seeds are collected individually. ... Learn More

A low species from Japan with a tight, creeping habit resembling aubretia. Slowly spreading prostrate stolons, occasionally rooting, make a diminutive leafed clinging carpet peppered with a steady succession of bright pink flowers until late autumn. ... Learn More

Bright yellow flowers open on multi-branching stems above thick leathery (presumably caltha or "kingcup" like) leaves which are differently shaped depending on where they grow on the plant, the upper ones being lobed and blunt-toothed, while the lower leaves kidney or rounded heart-shaped and coarsely toothed. This unusual hardy plant is from N.W. North America and is completely new to us. ... Learn More

Numerous bright red or sometimes yellow flowers, open on many stems above bright green thick leathery leaved rosettes. This lovely new border or rockery plant was collected quite recently in South America (Patagonia). ... Learn More

Strong stems hold frilly flowers in the most beautiful shades of scarlet red. This old favourite is best at home in a cottage garden where it will bloom and spread colour as far as the eye can see. Placed in full sunlight at the front of any border it will thrive even in heavy clay soils. ... Learn More

From a compact clump of wrinkled leaves arise short hairy stems holding the palest greeny-lemon nodding bells, which open from late spring to early summer and yet again in autumn. Although it performs best in moist soils, it will grow happily in the driest, sunniest spot in your garden. The original "Lemon Drops" was a chance hybrid seedling, with presumably some of the blood of Geum avens, from Beth Chatto's wonderful Essex garden, and these seedlings may have the slightest bit of variation but all will be lovely. ... Learn More

Land of the Giants for spectacular effect. Inc. Alcea ficifolia yellow, Echinops tienshanicum, Ferulago sylvatica, Echium 'Blue Steeple', Lobelia tupa, Campanula lactiflora 'Prichards Variety', Peltiphyllum peltatum, Verbesina alternifolia, Rudbeckia laciniata and Vernonia gigantea. ... Learn More

These vigorous perennials have linear leaves up to 24 inches long with spikes of up to 20 funnel-shaped, marked, deep magenta flowers which appear in spring. In the Mediterranean it is a wild flower in the olive groves through May and June and is naturalised in the South-West of England in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles where it is called Whistling Jack! It thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. ... Learn More

One of the most beautiful flowers with two inch wide, brilliant red blooms opening on short spikes with up to seven flowers appearing in succession on each spike. This rare and unusual Gladiolus species is found growing on cliff faces in the high Drakensberg of South Africa where it is called the “Suicide Lily” because of its preferred habitat of cliffs where attempts to collect it, or it's seed can lead to death! Easy to grow, Gladiolus flanaganii is summer blooming and tolerant of summer water before going dormant in late summer. It is often grown in good-sized clay pots with well draining ... Learn More

This beauty grows short stems carrying showy, large, dark lilac or magenta flowers, with white streaks on the lower petals. It is easily grown in any rich, well drained soil in full sun,or even in pots. This winter hardy dwarf species, native to the Mediterranean, grows in the wild in rocky, sun-exposed sites, and is hardy enough to have naturalised in the UK in the New Forest and on isle of Wight ... Learn More

This is probably the hardiest of all gladioli, down to Zone 3 it is claimed, and also strangely, one of the rarest! It makes a dense spike of large, rich coloured flowers, attractively marked on the lower petals, and usually in shades of deep purple to carmine. This is certainly the best and most valuable of the Mediterranean species, a genus containing many inferior plants, as well as this gem! ... Learn More