This easy-to-grow plant opens its early blue flowers, rather like small erythroniums, in a loose, few-flowered raceme from January to March. Intriguingly, it starts its growth in early autumn and remains wintergreen, and by using this stratagem to flower early, makes its spikes of hanging, reflexed bright blue bells. Native to the Elburz Mountains in Northern Iran and the Caspian region, where it grows in lightly shaded woodland, it does best with a dry summer rest. Few seeds collected. ... Learn More

From rosettes of strap-shaped leaves arise pyramids of buds which open into darker-veined, pale blue starry flowers. This is a Mediterranean species, originally from Middle East and it does best in a poor stony soil to flower well, otherwise it may develop an abnormal number of offsets subsequently missing out the flowering, although this is a good way to improve the clump. ... Learn More

A very rare species, unlike its closely relative S. cilicica, this gem appears and flowers just days after the snow melts where it grows in shaded rocky habitats, and at the base of deciduous trees. The spectacular flowers make congested pyramids of ivory white stars, each petal delicately pencilled along its centre in blue. In the wild it is protected and distributed in Lebanon, W. Syria and in one location on the Israeli side of Mt. Hermon. Seed scarce and rarely available. ... Learn More

This valuable plant is often grown for its star-shaped, amethyst-blue to violet, grape-hyacinth-like flowers, which open in late spring, much later than the more popular Siberian squill, and also the various Muscari which it resembles. They are very easy to grow and naturalise well. ... Learn More

Stout stems hold heavy heads of bright blue flowers over clumps of green strap-like leaves which arise from slowly enlarging bulbs. This lovely, easily grown, very long lived and exceptionally large-flowered plant does not come from Peru. When the original bulbs were imported from Spain in the 17 century the ship they travelled on was "The Peru"! ... Learn More

Stout stems hold heavy heads of green-striped white buds which open to bright blue flowers, over clumps of green strap-like leaves, which arise from slowly enlarging and multiplying bulbs. This is the rarer form of the easily grown, very long lived, and exceptionally large-flowered plant, which does not in fact does not come from Peru. When the original bulbs were imported from Spain in the 17 century the ship they travelled on was "The Peru"! ... Learn More

These flowers open very early, between February and April, displaying short conical spikes of deep blue flowers, that hang to one side of the stem and which gradually expand as the spike extends, so that after flowering has finished the spike may be eight inches tall. It is ideal outside in a well-drained sunny spot and excellent in a pot or under glass where you can enjoy much earlier flowers and the wonderful scent. ... Learn More

Although this exceptional, rarely-seen plant has a name that tells us that it is the scilla that looks like a scilla, which is true, it is somehow not very helpful. Feathery, neat spikes, packed with pale mauve-pink flowers, open above rich green, glossy, strap-shaped grassy blades in late summer. Yes, late summer! How many scillas bloom in any season other than spring? This attractive, bone hardy, easy-to-grow plant, is yet another that will stump your gardening friends. Few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

Narrow strap-shaped leaves and pale stems bear short racemes holding nodding, bowl-shaped, ivory-white flowers. It is native to south western Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, and strangely, despite its name, it is not native to Siberia. It is completely hardy and if you need something to cover ground or a rockery it has a tendency to spread, both by bulb offshoots and self-seeding. A worthy RHS AGM winner ... Learn More

These delicate, short-stemmed plants opens their star-like palest blue flowers with deep blue stamens, from March to August, but they are usually at their best in April and May, and are usually found in the wild on dry, grassy slopes. In cultivation they make perfect plants for low grass in shade or on a moist rockery. The plant occurs from Portugal north through Spain, France, Great Britain and Ireland. ... Learn More

This truly amazing plant, slowly creeping along like a dense and solid green rippling carpet, produces wonderful shapes and forms. Although related to our pinks and carnations, it is reputed to be the only Australian alpine totally hardy in the UK. ... Learn More

Probably the most diminutive, slow-growing and intriguing, ground covering plant one can grow. In early summer, the prostrate, slowly-creeping cushion makes tiny half inch stems which carry one golden seed each, whilst any weeds in its path are stifled. A gorgeous substitute for a miniature lawn or even in a bonsai garden ... Learn More

Open flowers with rays of purple flowers adorn this low-growing perennial, and are followed by lovely fluffy seed heads reminiscent of dandelion clocks. A charming addition to a rock garden or container display in well drained soil and a sunny location, where it will provide plenty of interest throughout the summer, and gently self-seed if lucky. ... Learn More

Clusters of strong-smelling yellow flowers are shown on a sturdy erect stem amid elaborately-edged deeply veined leaves not dissimilar to the common nettle. More commonly found on the European mainland, this unusual looking plant likes to stand in shade and once established is likely to pop up places you might not expect to find it. To add to its bizarre and interesting features, this is also one of the few plants to be pollinated by wasps. ... Learn More

This most attractive, drought-resistant dwarf alpine makes a very low mound of radiating stems each of which is clad lengthwise with long-snouted yellow snapdragons. A perfect plant for the front of the rockery or in a small pot. ... Learn More