Metrosideros laurifolia, commonly known as Laurel Ohia, is an evergreen shrub or tree native to New Caledonia. It features large, thick, leathery leaves up to 17 cm (6.7 inches) long, often with pinkish-red stalks. The young foliage emerges with an intense coppery-red hue, adding vibrant color to the landscape. During its blooming period from spring to early summer, the tree is adorned with masses of yellow flowers with long stamens, creating a striking visual display. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, Metrosideros laurifolia is adaptable to various soil types, i ... Learn More

Mutisia oligodon is a charming evergreen subshrub native to the temperate regions of Chile and Argentina. This low-growing plant exhibits a semi-prostrate to ascending habit, often forming dense mats that sprawl gracefully over rocky terrains. Its slender stems are adorned with leathery, oblong leaves, each terminating in a delicate tendril that aids in climbing or anchoring to nearby structures. The foliage presents a vibrant green hue on the upper surface, while the underside is cloaked in a soft, pale wool, adding to its tactile appeal. During the blooming season, Mutisia oligodon produc ... Learn More

Neolamarckia cadamba, commonly known as Kadamba or Burflower-Tree, is a fast-growing, evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia. Known for its straight trunk and broad, umbrella-shaped crown, this impressive species can grow up to 45 meters tall. Its leaves are large, glossy, and ovate, contributing to its lush appearance. During the rainy season, the tree produces fragrant, spherical orange-yellow flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators like bees. The flowers are followed by small, fleshy, orange-yellow fruits, which are reportedly edible. This adaptable species thrives ... Learn More

The Parijat, often known as the Night-Flowering Jasmine, is a tree shrouded in elegance and mystery, its name translating to "sorrow of the night" in reference to its ephemeral blooms. This enchanting tree is celebrated for its fragrant, star-shaped flowers with vibrant orange centers that bloom at dusk, filling the air with an intoxicating, sweet aroma. By morning, the delicate blossoms fall gently to the ground, carpeting the earth with a soft, fragrant blanket of white and orange, offering a poetic beauty unmatched by other plants. Its slender, gnarled branches and rough-textured leaves ... Learn More

Papaver macrostomum 'Black Magic', commonly known as Black Magic Poppy, is a striking annual or short-lived perennial renowned for its dramatic dark blooms. The large, silky petals are deep maroon to black, creating an exotic and moody effect in borders, cottage gardens, or mixed plantings. These unique flowers, combined with their delicate, feathery foliage, make Black Magic a standout feature in any garden. This poppy thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, requiring minimal maintenance once established. Its bold, dark flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contribu ... Learn More

Huge flowering heads appear in mid summer which produce a stunning display of saucer size flowers, white centered with a vibrant pink ring around the edge. I highly desirable plant not just for gardeners but also the local wildlife, especially bees which will spend the entire day swarming beds of these poppies. Papaver somniferum has a rich cultural and historical background. It has been cultivated for its seeds, which are used in culinary applications, and for the latex produced by the unripe seed capsules. The latex contains alkaloids, including morphine and codeine, leading to the histor ... Learn More

Prized for its elegant pink, white lipped tubular flowers set against a vibrant burgundy foliage, 'Ruby Dusk' is a real show stopper! The foliage maintains its rich, dark color throughout the growing season, providing a stunning contrast to the bright pinkish-purple blooms that appear in late spring to mid-summer. These nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a pollinator-friendly choice for sunny borders or rock gardens. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, Penstemons are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants ideal for xeriscaping or mixed pere ... Learn More

The Manila Tamarind, or Madras Thorn, is a rugged yet graceful tree native to Central and South America, now naturalized across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its spreading, umbrella-shaped canopy is supported by a trunk adorned with rough, grayish bark. The small, bipinnate leaves lend a soft, feathery texture to the tree, which is often complemented by clusters of greenish-white, fragrant flowers during the blooming season. These blossoms are a magnet for pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The tree’s standout feature, however, is its twisted, spiraling pods, which e ... Learn More

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Hakone Blue', commonly known as Hakone Blue Balloon Flower, is a compact perennial celebrated for its striking, balloon-shaped buds that burst open into starry, violet-blue blooms. This variety is known for its uniform growth habit and rich flower color, making it ideal for garden borders, rock gardens, or container planting. Its dark green, lance-shaped foliage provides a beautiful backdrop to the vibrant flowers, creating an eye-catching display throughout the growing season. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, Hakone Blue is a low-mainte ... Learn More

The Pongam Tree, or Indian Beech, is a majestic evergreen or semi-deciduous tree native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. It features a dense, spreading canopy of glossy, pinnate leaves that offer ample shade, making it a popular choice for streetscapes, gardens, and agroforestry systems. During late spring and early summer, the tree produces clusters of pale pink, lavender, or white pea-shaped flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding to its ecological value. Its flattened, brown seed pods contain oil-rich seeds that are highly valued for biodiesel pr ... Learn More

Primula candelabra 'Pillar Box', commonly referred to as Pillar Box Candelabra Primrose, is a stunning perennial known for its tiered whorls of bright crimson-red flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The vivid blooms are held on tall, upright stems above a rosette of vibrant green leaves, creating a striking candelabra-like effect. This variety thrives in damp, shaded areas, making it ideal for woodland gardens, pond edges, or shaded borders. This moisture-loving primrose performs best in partial shade and humus-rich soils that remain consistently moist. Its bold color and uni ... Learn More

Pulsatilla grandis, commonly known as Greater Pasque Flower, is a charming perennial celebrated for its silky, bell-shaped blooms that emerge in early spring. The flowers, in shades of violet-blue, are adorned with golden stamens at the center, creating a striking contrast. The plant's finely divided, silvery-green foliage adds texture and remains attractive after flowering. As the flowers fade, they are replaced by feathery seed heads that provide visual interest well into summer. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, Pulsatilla grandis is an excellent choice for rock gardens, alpin ... Learn More

Pulsatilla vulgaris 'Rode Klokke', commonly known as Rode Klokke Pasque Flower, is a compact perennial admired for its striking deep red, bell-shaped blooms that emerge in early spring. The silky petals surround a golden yellow center, creating a vibrant contrast against finely divided, silvery-green foliage. As the flowers fade, feathery seed heads develop, adding visual interest throughout the season. This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens, borders, or naturalized settings. Its early bl ... Learn More

The Quince, a small deciduous tree with ancient origins, is beloved for its delicate beauty and aromatic fruits. With its twisted branches and rounded form, it brings a charming, rustic appeal to orchards and gardens alike. In spring, it bursts into life with large, pale pink to white blossoms, drawing pollinators such as bees. As the season progresses, these flowers transform into golden, pear-shaped fruits that exude a sweet, floral fragrance when ripe. While too astringent to eat raw, the fruit is prized for its culinary versatility, lending its unique flavor to jams, jellies, and desser ... Learn More

Very rarely seen, this fabulous, dark-leaved variant of the celandine is also one of our earliest spring flowers, blooming just after the snowdrops as early as February. It makes solid carpets of superb, shiny, ebony-black, tightly-packed foliage, liberally studded with golden stars. This solid, glistening foliage is an astonishing annual weed suppressant, making a solid low carpet, stifling germinating annual seedlings which simply do not have light to survive until May or June. Then the celandine's leaves promptly die completely away, having achieved their "mulching/weed suppressing" duty. T ... Learn More