Deep crimson to purple flowers with darker striped petals and dark eyes, open on stems clad in dissected foliage which is very reminiscent of Japanese maple leaves. These are at least as attractive as the flowers, and can vary from dark bronze to deepest purple, and this is the one hibiscus that is grown for its beautiful foliage as well as for the flowers! The fast growing and shrubby habit of this unusual plant makes it a good choice for a seasonal hedge, an attractive annual specimen plant, or even an indoor container plant. Very few seeds obtainable. ... Learn More

I. umbellata is a small, bushy annual to 30cm, with slender leaves and sweet-scented white, pink, purple or crimson flowers in flattened clusters in late spring and summer. ... Learn More

Garden balsam is a frost-tender annual. The sparsely branched succulent stems can grow up to 30" tall but frequently exceeds this height in the wild. The vibrant cup-shaped flowers come in various shades of white, pink, red, and a bicolor version. It prefers a moist setting and has a low tolerance for drought conditions. An ideal plant for containers and areas along walks or paths. ... Learn More

Thin dividing stems form a medium-sized mound which only buds up in late autumn, producing clouds of small, bouncing, bee-like yellow flowers, which appear on thin delicate stems. This is another 'surprise' plant, which only performs late in the year when you are beginning to give up hope of ever seeing a flower! This new-to-cultivation plant was discovered and collected recently on an Himalayan expedition, although it may have originally been an introduction from North America. We recommend that these plants should not be allowed to spread into the countryside. ... Learn More

A quite astounding new plant which grows and grows into the summer, and you think "what a waste of space, a huge leafy, shrubby bush with no buds". But then comes the surprise! Thousands of tiny buds miraculously inflate and finally open in late August. Throughout September and October the plant is a picture, smothered in wide-throated, nodding, canary-yellow throated, palest primrose flowers. And even as I write in mid November, the buds on this absolutely unique treasure are still opening daily! We recommend that these plants should not be allowed to spread into the countryside. ... Learn More

The "Himalayan Jewel Orchid" grows on cool forest slopes where it forms a large wide solid mound completely studded with pairs of intriguing, creamy yellow, orchid-like flowers, each with two unequal lips. This new gem will add a tropical air to your garden. ... Learn More

A vigorous twining climber (to 2m or 6ft) producing masses of spectacular, striped blue and pink blooms with intricate markings, all as if painted individually. These gorgeous flowers bloom all summer long, transforming your garden with all the dazzling colours of the Venice Carnival. ... 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

If you are looking for something a bit different for your garden, this could be the perfect choice. A fast growing ornamental with beautiful fine, lush green foliage that turns bright red in late summer/autumn. Growing in virtually all soils, it is useful in landscapes when used en-masse, or perhaps try as centre pieces in patio plants, and accents in garden beds and borders. ... Learn More

L. trimestris is an upright annual, to 1.2m tall, with rounded, shallowly-lobed leaves and open funnel-shaped flowers to 10cm across. Flowers appear in mid to late summer in shades of pink or white, often with darker veining of the throat. ... Learn More

A lovely form of L. trimestris producing an almost endless display of bright pink, four inch wide, trumpet-shaped flowers, prominently veined with deep red-purple towards the centre. This AGM winner is dwarf, bushy and well branched, and is covered in flowers from mid-July to September. In addition, the weather resistant stems with long-stalked, palmately lobed leaves, do not need staking. ... Learn More

An absolute gem, this new campanula relative was discovered in an Eastern European botanic garden. Large white-eyed violet-mauve star-flowers smother the foliage. Ideal for rock garden or container. ... Learn More

A clump forming herbaceous perennial with dark green, toothed, lance shaped leaves, the Shasta Daisy produces huge displays of wonderfully frilly, white, daisy-like blooms with golden centres that perch on upright stems. This eye catching plant is a magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. A perfect addition to any perennial border or wildlife garden, excellent in tubs or mixed containers and makes a useful cut flower too. ... Learn More

Bright yellow cup-shaped flowers with white-tipped petals give this one the common name of poached egg plant, which will self-seed freely, future generations continuing to appear and naturalise themselves, germinating and flowering at different times. It is native to California and Oregon, where it thrives in wet, grassy habitats. The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). ... Learn More

An annual variety hailing from Morocco with a shorter habit than many Linaria species. Delicate butterfly shaped flowers appear in bunches, this mixture providing a wide range of colours usually with a yellow throat which is extremely attractive to bees! ... Learn More