This extremely rare plant is possibly not in cultivation and exists in profusion in just a few secret places in the southern Chilean Andes where these very few seeds have also been grown in cultivation. Very perennial and hardy down to at least USA zone 8, it makes a steadily-increasing tuber which yearly produces scrambling stems bearing finely divided blue-green foliage beneath masses of five-petalled yellow flowers. In 1833 William Hooker and George Arnott described Tropaeolum polyphyllum subsp. gracile. This scarce plant, which resembles a dwarf T. polyphyllum both in growth and also smaller seed size, needs very well-drained soil or a large pot to perform at its best. ... Learn More

Billowing trails of blue-grey leaves cascade along the ground or scramble through undergrowth, followed by an overwhelming display of golden yellow ochre flowers opening in June. This gorgeous plant is astonishing when its deeply tunneling hardy roots are established on a hot well-drained bank and although it improves quite slowly over the years it is well worth the wait. Few good seeds available. ... Learn More

Sheets of dazzling scarlet flowers cascading amidst pretty, delicate, divided leaves adorn this gorgeous plant throughout midsummer. This fabulous Chilean native prefers peat to be incorporated into the soil, when it will make countless, long-lived hardy tubers. It is happiest when planted under dark shrubs, when it will soon establish and scramble over them, especially boring evergreen ones that have either finished, or are yet to flower. Finally, in late summer and autumn, attractive bunches of bright blue shiny berries are formed. ... Learn More

Terminal trusses of star-shaped flowers range from dark purple to black on this vigorous climber. The fruits are slender, tapered pods that range from green to light brown and are tightly packed with seeds attached to puffy white fluffy fibres that carry them away on the wind. Native to south-western Europe, it flowers from May-mid-June. ... Learn More

One of the most dramatic and popular climbers, the Japanese wisteria is a vigorous grower and is awash with heavy, sumptuous racemes of delicate lilac to mauve pea shaped, deeply scented flowers in early spring. A spectacular decoration for a pergola or wall, it can also be trained and grown as a standard to quite stunning effect. This spectacular climber lends an air of romance to any garden, witness the thick-trunked ancient specimens on many historic buildings...... ... Learn More