This early-flowering, evergreen, white-flowered form of the gorgeous "African Lily" is a popular garden plant around the world, especially in Mediterranean climates, although it thrives in mild gardens everywhere. In the wild it is a native of Natal and Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. A vigorous, tough plant, most of the cultivated agapanthus varieties in cultivation are hybrids or cultivars of this species. ... Learn More

A round radish with white skin and flesh. Resistant to cracking and bolting. Harvest after 30-35 days. ... Learn More

This attractive palm originates from Australia, where it grows up to ten meters tall in time, although it still looks good when much shorter. It has a stunningly beautiful green crown shaft under the leaves, and despite its tropical appearance it can handle light frost. Indeed, this attractive variety grows better than many at low temperatures and is slightly more tolerant of frost. ... Learn More

This rarely grown, dwarf, clustering Thai palm really does make a nice potted plant or smaller plant, where it will do well in a shady spot in the tropical or warm subtropical garden. Native to Thailand and other parts of South-East Asia, it is an understorey palm, with densely clustering, thin, canelike stems and small leaves that are dark green above and silvery white below. The attractive leaflets are roughly fishtail-shaped and have jaggedly toothed margins. ... Learn More

From attractive clumps of silvery-green, hairy, sword-like leaves, arise panicles of white flowers in summer, followed by purple-pink fruits in autumn. Forming dramatic foliage, this superb, hardy, evergreen architectural plant from New Zealand, is perfect for coastal gardens, or anywhere there is some shelter, and especially adding a tropical feel to the garden, particularly in areas of partial shade. ... Learn More

A very high yielding mainscrop Nantes variety. Delivers a high level of uniform roots, giving an excellent yield. Smooth texture with a very nice deep orange colour. Features a high resistance to breakage and silvering. ... Learn More

Sizeable, golden-eyed, ivory-white flowers open on tall stems above fleshy leaves. Resembling an anemone rather than a typical begonia, this extremely rare plant is endemic to the high tropical or subtropical montane forests of Equador, where it is threatened by habitat loss and classified as vulnerable by IUCN. (The International Union for Conservation of Nature). In colder areas the plant may be cut to the ground, but the tuber invariably sprouts again the following spring. ... Learn More

Large stunning clusters of bright red flowers are displayed on this scrambling shrub which is rare in cultivation, and will make a magnificent and easily grown ornamental for warm temperate climates. One of the world's largest begonias, it can grow up to 3 m tall in its native haunts in the cloud and montane rainforests in Colombia and northwestern Venezuela, where it is happy at between 1700 and 4000 m. ... Learn More

Begonias are usually prized for their unusually attractive leaves and this one is at the top of the league! Its leaves resemble those of a maple tree, however, they are enormous, up to 30cm across, and much more spectacular, with serrated edging and bright green centres that contrast dramatically with the deep purple of the rest of the leaf. The solid rhizomatous clump is composed of giant leaves surrounded by a contrasting wide black-green border, all being held at the end of red-speckled leaf petioles. Growers have reported that this variety has proved reliably hardy to 15 degrees F making it a stunning garden specimen! This wonderful begonia was first discovered in Mexico in the 1830s, the name referring to the leaves of heracleum, or "Giant Hogweed" to which it is obviously unrelated. Very rare fertile seeds. ... Learn More

This lovely shrub-like perennial and low-maintenance houseplant displays large, asymmetrical, deeply-folded, dark green leaves with a superb metallic sheen, and striking red veins underneath. Large clusters of hairy, pink flowers open on sturdy, thin, erect stems. Coming from Brazil, it prefers temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F), so in temperate regions it is best grown under glass, or planted out in spring when it is sufficiently warm. At lower temperatures it may lose its foliage and die down but will re-sprout again with increasing warmth. ... Learn More

Very late in the year, as daylight hours shorten, clouds of confetti-like flowers with prominent bright yellow anthers open, en-masse, atop the strong flower stalks. Because it only flowers when the weather is cool, if only in comparison to that of spring and summer, it is an impressive foliage plant during the warm months, with visual impact with its amazing leaf size and overall scale. As an annual in a warm climate, this astounding plant gathers strength all season, soaring to four or even six feet by frost. But in even warmer or hot climes, the "tree" begonia makes good on its name, with thick canes twelve feet (4 metres) high and more, each with a few enormous rhubarb-like leaves nearly a foot across, which are displayed loosely on strong, upright canes. So to guarantee a shower of flowers late in the year, try one in a large pot indoors in good light. ... Learn More

From a yucca-like, but softer leaved rosette of sword-like leaves, arise huge arching spikes of red and green flowers, much resembling a dragon's head. One of the world's most magnificent hardy plants, very long-lived in a well-drained sheltered spot. Very few good seeds are ever collected. ... Learn More

A serious contender for the world's most attractive palm, the impressive blue-silver fan-shaped leaves can reach up to 2m in width and are divided into 20 segments each. When mature it produces strong, star-shaped stems carrying just a small number of enormous seeds. A staggeringly attractive plant, when I first encountered one in the Canary Islands I simply stood in awe for two or three minutes. A monotypic palm (ie the only one of its genus) it was named for the first chancellor of the German Empire, Prince Otto von Bismarck. The plant is as statuesque and impressive as the man was himself, with a slender trunk capable of reaching over 30cm diameter in the right conditions. Any suitable garden in need of a living architectural statement could do a lot worse than grow this mighty plant. Very few seeds ever available. ... Learn More

Gorgeous, closely-packed trusses of tubular flowers open in early summer, each flower being of a deepest burgundy, clasped at the base with a violet calyx and stem! What a fantastic colour combination on this form of this rare plant from Colombia and Venezuela! Like most bomareas, (which are basically "climbing alstroemerias") it will prefer a warm sunny spot in deep, well-drained soil, when it will scramble up any available support or shrub before festooning itself with flower buds. Alternatively, it will also make an impressive specimen in a sizeable deep pot or a greenhouse border. ... Learn More

An improved Supremo Nano type, this dwarf Borlotto variety produces a heavy crop of colourful beans. Good vigour even in unfavourable conditions; early to mature. Pods typically 16-18cm long and predominantly red in colour, with 8-9 beans per pod. Resistant to BCMV. ... Learn More