Roscoea humeana, commonly known as Hume’s Roscoea or Hardy Ginger, is a striking perennial from the Zingiberaceae family, native to the mountainous regions of China. This compact plant features lush, lance-shaped green leaves and produces exotic, orchid-like flowers in shades of purple, lilac, or occasionally white. Blooming in late spring to mid-summer, its unique flowers create an eye-catching display in shaded garden borders, woodland settings, or containers. Unlike tropical gingers, Roscoea humeana thrives in cooler climates and is fully hardy in temperate zones. Its ability to tolerate ... Learn More

A very rare, semi-deciduous bramble, making long slender stems bearing most attractive, solitary, arrow-like leaves in a herring bone pattern. Dense bunches of white flowers finally produce elongated but compact clumps of almost opalescent orange-red fruits, which posses a unique good flavour when ripe. Almost certainly the latest to fruit of all brambles in the UK, ours was still fruiting on a shady bank in December (when this picture was taken)! Also an excellent ground cover plant, it is sumptuous when planted to overhang a wall or container. Like most brambles it does best if controlled a ... Learn More

Salvia deserta, a striking member of the sage family, is a drought-tolerant perennial perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Known for its tall spikes of vibrant blue to lavender flowers, this plant not only adds a splash of color but also attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its hardy nature makes it a favorite for gardeners in regions with hot, dry summers, thriving in well-drained soil and full sunlight. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, or wildflower meadows, Salvia deserta offers a seamless blend of beauty and practicality. It’s a low-water solution for eco-conscio ... Learn More

Bring a splash of vibrant color to your garden with Salvia nemorosa 'Merleau Rose,' also known as Wood Sage or Balkan Clary. This stunning perennial belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, recognized for its aromatic foliage and showy flower spikes. 'Merleau Rose' is a cultivar of the Salvia nemorosa species, sometimes listed under its synonym, Salvia x superba. It is a favorite among gardeners for its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators while offering a long blooming season. 'Merleau Rose' is perfect for borders, containers, or cottage gardens. Its dense ... Learn More

Sisyrinchium chilense, commonly known as Chilean Blue-eyed Grass, is a clump-forming perennial prized for its delicate, star-shaped flowers and grass-like foliage. Native to Chile, this species produces clusters of small, vibrant blue to purple flowers with yellow centers, blooming in late spring and early summer. Despite its common name, it is a member of the Iris family, not a true grass. This versatile plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist but well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, or naturalized settings. Its compact habit and ... Learn More

Sparganium erectum, commonly known as Branched Bur-reed or Upright Bur-reed, is a robust aquatic or marginal perennial found in wetlands, ponds, and along water edges. This striking plant produces tall, upright stems with strap-like green leaves that create architectural interest in aquatic landscapes. From early to late summer, it forms spherical green flowers and seed heads, which turn brown as they mature, adding texture and seasonal appeal. Ideal for naturalizing in wet areas, Sparganium erectum thrives in moist to wet soils and can be grown submerged in shallow water or along pond marg ... Learn More

Cyphomandra betacea 'Yellow', commonly known as Yellow Tamarillo or Yellow Tree Tomato, is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Andes region of South America. It produces large, heart-shaped leaves with a purple tinge, adding ornamental value to gardens. In spring to early summer, it bears clusters of small, fragrant, pink-white flowers, which give way to egg-shaped, glossy yellow fruits approximately 10 cm (4 inches) in length. The yellow fruits have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to the red variety, making them ideal for fresh consumption or culinary uses such as ja ... Learn More

Possibly the most impressive plant you can grow outside in the UK, this fast-growing shrub produces a compact thicket of upright, downy stems topped by astonishing, very large, deeply-lobed green leaves up to 60 cm. or more across. New shoots and leaves have an intriguing coating of fine, felted, pale brown hairs. Creamy clusters of attractive pompom flowers are produced in large sprays in the autumn, followed by black fruit. Preferring well drained soil in full sun, it may be cut back by the winter frost, but each year it comes back reliably in spring in all but the very coldest areas of the ... Learn More

An extremely rare, choice and delicate perennial plant, it is aptly named for its gorgeous feathery white flowers which appear in clusters atop slender stems, creating an airy, cloud-like effect. The attractive foliage consists of narrow, grass-like leaves that grow in compact tufts at the base of the plant. This very seldom offered protected endemic from the Southern Andean foothills is well-suited for rock gardens, borders, and alpine settings. Due to its compact size and graceful appearance, it will attract pollinating bees and butterflies. True seed, collected from a private mountainside g ... Learn More

Tropaeolum tricolor is a captivating annual prized for its vibrant, three-toned blossoms appearing in swarms of small but gorgeous red flowers, with distinctive black and yellow lips. This plant will effortlessly brighten any garden space, creating a stunning display against a backdrop of glossy, circular leaves. This charming nasturtium enhances garden borders, containers, and hanging baskets alike with its dazzling colors. With a naturally trailing or climbing habit, it makes an excellent choice for vertical accents and ground cover in sunny, well-drained areas. ... Learn More

These famous berries have been popular not only because of their delicious sweet, slightly sour taste, but also because of their high level of benzoic acid, which is a natural compound that conserves products made with lingonberries. Lingonberries contain many other healthy compounds, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. As well as vitamin C, studies suggest that the high levels of antioxidants compared to other berries can limit the negative effects of eating high-fat food. The berries also contain tannins, which can have an effect on urinary tract disorders, and like cranberries, li ... Learn More

Veltheimia bracteata 'Lemon Flame', commonly known as Lemon Flame Forest Lily, is a stunning bulbous perennial that adds a pop of cheerful color to shaded garden areas or indoor plant displays. Its striking flower spikes feature tubular, lemon-yellow blooms with green tips, creating a fresh and elegant display during the late winter to early spring season. The flowers rise above glossy, wavy-edged green leaves, which remain attractive even when the plant is not in bloom. Native to South Africa, this drought-tolerant plant thrives in partial shade and well-drained, humus-rich soils. It is id ... Learn More

Verbascum pyramidatum, commonly known as Pyramid Mullein, is a tall, striking perennial characterized by its densely packed spikes of pale yellow, saucer-shaped flowers with purple stamens. The flowers rise from a rosette of large, silvery-green basal leaves, creating a dramatic architectural feature in the garden. Native to southeastern Europe, this plant is well-suited for xeriscaping, rock gardens, or cottage garden borders. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, Verbascum pyramidatum is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for dry, sunny areas. It at ... Learn More

Your original description - Seldom seen white dwarf variety of the previous. CHILTERNS his lovely Violet is not a hybrid with other Viola varieties but a natural variety of the blue wild form. Of a compact, spreading, upright habit, it bears, in comparison to most of the innumerable hybrids, its quite delightful pure white flowers continuously from April until October by which time your thoughts may be turning to indoor pursuits! When cut back regularly, the plant regenerates very quickly and becomes a durable perennial. A sunny to partially shaded position in any good garden soil is all i ... Learn More

The "Devon Violet" or "Sweet Violet" must be too well know to need a description, but for the record, makes a creeping carpet of fragrant leaves (yes!), and long-stemmed, perfumed blue flowers opening with the snowdrops in February, and on into spring. This is botanically the single form of the "Parma Violet", which normally has double or semi-doubled flowers, and never sets any seed, having to be propagated from cuttings. ... Learn More