Although it is actually a member of the "bellflower" family, this unusual flower resembles a Scabious or Pincushion Flower. It forms a low mound of grey-green leaves, bearing balls of violet-blue flowers for weeks on end and is excellent in a rock garden, especially combined with Heaths and Heathers, but also suitable for a border or edging a pathway. ... Learn More

Although this lovely British native plant is called a "scabious" it is in fact not at all related, but is in the campanula family as a close inspection of the flower will confirm. In the wild it grows on heaths and moors, often at high elevations, also in rocky districts, coastal cliffs and quarries, doing well in very poor soil. In cultivation it excels though, good soil permitting it to grow in all dimensions. ... Learn More

Growing on almost any terrain, even on gravelly, sandy or saline soils in tropical America, this large ornamental shrub bears ivy-like leaves, and clusters of yellowish-green flowers and large yellow fruits. Although the plant and seeds are toxic, it is a plant of many uses, being used to manufacture soap, cosmetics, fuel and medicines. It is also being cultivated for biodiesel oil including its use as an airline fuel. In Nigeria, tests with 200 and 400 mg/kg, physic nut extract produced pain relief that compared well to aspirin, the researchers believing the extract works through both central and peripheral pain mechanisms. Morphine and similar drugs act on the central nervous system, whilst aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, have an impact on both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The findings of the study are important because new, more effective pain-relieving drugs without addiction and side effect issues are needed. ... Learn More

Jeffersonia has showy white flowers with eight petals, the delicate flowers resembling "Bloodroot" and appearing in April or May before producing fruit which is a green pear-shaped capsule with a hinged top. Native to eastern Asia and eastern North America these uncommon spring flowers were named for United States President Thomas Jefferson. It is protected by state laws as a threatened or endangered plant in Georgia, Iowa, New York, and New Jersey. The characteristic leaves are large and nearly divided in half, giving rise to its common name, twinleaf. As with many other deciduous forest plants, the seeds are dispersed by ants, a process known as myrmecochory. I bet you can't remember that tomorrow! ... Learn More

A rare and stunningly beautiful plant from the colder parts of Chile and also New Zealand. Thin, branching stems with attractive wavy-edged leaves produce clusters of countless delicate orchid-like cream flowers gently marked with yellow and purple, which appear throughout spring and early summer and produce very few dust-like seeds. This delicate plant will stand severe frost in well-drained soil, and will almost always re-shoot from the base when killed back by severe winters. (RHS Award of Garden Merit). ... Learn More

Wiry, glaucous green, knitting needle leaves, with terminal tufted seed heads radiating from a dense clump, make this form of Juncus patens a perfect addition to any architectural garden. ... Learn More

Compact heads of brown seed cases cluster on short, strong, green, pith-filled stems. A small and delightful plant for the pond edge or boggy or damp area. ... Learn More

This robust, rapid-growing plant produces dense clumps of erect, blue-green, needle-like leaves topped with trusses of reddish flowers. Perfect around a pond or in a large container, it survives whether wet or dry. ... Learn More

A fascinating new dwarf cultivar, coming true from seed. Forms a tight clump of corkscrewing and spiralling shiny green rush leaves, later decorated with brown seedheads. Perfect in a pot, rockery or poolside. ... Learn More

A charismatic and unusual dwarf 'Rush' producing bright green clumps of iris-like foliage, which produce truly impressive dark brown, almost black seed heads perched on the top of each leaf, which with a little imagination could be a swarm of flying hedgehogs! It is astonishingly adaptable, perfect for planting in shallow water at a pond's edge, but thriving in damp or wet soil, and even putting up a brave display in ordinary moist garden soil, where it will provide interest all summer long. ... Learn More

This attractive dwarf rush with unusually soft stems and seed heads was originally collected from the South African mountains. In cultivation it makes a long-lived, evergreen trouble-free clump. ... Learn More

Thick, dark green, pith-filled stems, terminate in stabbingly-sharp points. These are adorned with clusters of cream flowers which mature to crimson-brown seed capsules. Originally collected on damp hillsides on the island of Mallorca, this is one of the largest ornamental rushes we have seen. ... Learn More

Strong green needle-leaves erupt from a solid basal clump. One of the larger "rushes". These are traditionally grown at the waterside, but this one will do perfectly well in an ordinary garden. ... Learn More

An absolutely new and unique plant to the garden scene. Sharp, blue- green needles, with unusually large, attractive tassels of brown seed capsules near their ends, radiate from a central clump. Making quite a stunning hardy, trouble-free specimen in the garden, it is also perfect in a container, or even as a house-plant. ... Learn More

Most rushes grow by water. This was discovered, thriving, on a scorching hot mountain terrace high in the mountains of Gran Canaria. Stiff, pointed, silvery green, needle-like leaves radiating from a solid rosette. ... Learn More